Lubbock residents will have the opportunity to attend a free, all‑day Alzheimer’s Awareness Symposium on Thursday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Grace Parish Hall, 311 Erskine St. The event, organized by the Garrison Institute on Aging at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, aims to give families coping with dementia access to education, resources, and early‑detection tools.
According to KCBD, an estimated 40,000 people across the region live with some form of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, and the impact extends far beyond those diagnosed. Dr. Jonathan Singer, director of the institute, warned that the stress of long‑term caregiving can increase a caregiver’s own risk for dementia, noting research shows risk rises after 10‑15 years of care.
The symposium will feature Dr. Zachary Baker, a dementia researcher from Arizona State University, as the keynote speaker. Attendees can also receive practical information for caregivers, participate in memory screenings, and learn about the latest medication options. Singer highlighted two drugs—Leqembi and donanemab—that have been shown to slow disease progression when administered in early stages. He emphasized that early diagnosis is critical, saying, “If we diagnose in moderate or severe, there’s not much we can do, actually.”
Gayle Ayres, D.R., a geriatric psychiatrist at TTUHSC, explained that Leqembi is now available as an at‑home injection for eligible patients, reducing the need for clinic visits. While not a cure, Ayres said the treatment can “slow things down enough that you never get to those final stages, those final kind of devastating stages of the Alzheimer’s disease process,” offering families more time together.
Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. on the day of the symposium, and a light breakfast and lunch will be provided. KCBD advises anyone interested to reserve a spot by Tuesday, Nov. 17, to ensure attendance.
What’s next: Residents who wish to attend should register by Nov. 17. The symposium will provide a platform for families to connect with local support services and learn about emerging treatment options that could improve daily life for those affected by Alzheimer’s.
Sources: kcbd.com
