Pierce County’s annual Alzheimer’s Caregiver Conference, offering information and practical skills for individuals providing care or seeking more knowledge about Alzheimer’s and other dementias, will be held Saturday, Sept. 17.

The conference is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church (1315 N. Stevens St., Tacoma). The conference is free, but RSVP is requested by registering online or calling 253-798-8787.

Keynote speaker Stephen Thielke, M.D., associate professor at University of Washington’s Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, will discuss the different types of dementia and the difficult behaviors that can occur. He will also explore ways of dealing with those behaviors, with and without medication. Breakout session topics include legal issues, VA benefits, meaningful activities, paying for care, changes to the home, end of life care and more.   The annual conference is sponsored by the Health Care Providers Council of Pierce County, a local non-profit organization, in collaboration with Pierce County Aging & Disability Resources.

Online registration: www.co.pierce.wa.us/formcenter/community-connections-18/2016-alzheimers-caregiver-conference-re-463

For more information call the Aging & Disability Resource Center 253-798-4600 or 800-562-0332.