The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) will host a free Alzheimer’s & Caregiving Educational Conference in Nashville on Wednesday, November 18 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm CT at the Southwestern Conference Center (2451 Atrium Way, Nashville). The free conference, part of AFA’s National Educating Across America Tour, is open to everyone and will allow participants to learn from experts in the field of Alzheimer’s disease, brain health, and caregiving. Register by visiting www.alzfdn.org/tour. Advance registration is highly recommended.
“Knowledge is a useful and powerful tool that can help make any situation easier to navigate, especially something as challenging as caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s President & CEO. “Connecting families with useful, practical information and support that can help them now and be better prepared for the future is what this conference is all about. Whether Alzheimer’s is affecting your family, you are a caregiver or just want to learn more about brain health, we invite you to join us on November 18.”
Sessions during the AFA conference will include:
Caregiver Voices: Strength, Love, and Resilience – For country music star Jason Aldean and his wife, Brittany, dementia is a cause that is dear to them. Jason’s uncle passed away after a battle with Lewy body dementia, and Brittany’s father, Donald Kerr, has been living with Lewy body dementia since 2022. Jason and Brittany have been outspoken about the emotional toll that the disease has taken on the family. They will share their personal story, offer tips, and remind families that they are not alone.
Jason co-wrote “Help You Remember,” a song about the emotional impact of dementia on loved ones. Released ahead of his 2026 album, Songs About Us, it was created to offer comfort to families facing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The music video for that song will be played at the conference.
Alzheimer’s in 2026: A New Era of Detection and Treatment – Advancements in recent years are helping us better understand Alzheimer’s disease, diagnoses, and treatments. Patricia Andrews, MD will provide an overview of our current understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and advancements in research. She will highlight the progress made while exploring emerging approaches and future directions that are shaping the way we understand, prevent, diagnose, and treat Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Andrews is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. She also serves as Division Director of Geriatric Psychiatry, Program Director of the Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship, and Director of Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Trials at the Vanderbilt Center for Cognitive Medicine.
The Plight of the Family Caregiver: How Can the Community Be of Support? – Family caregivers often face physical, emotional, and financial challenges while caring for their loved ones. Lee Ann Hyatt, RN, BSN, will discuss the realities which caregivers experience and how healthcare professionals, organizations, businesses, faith communities, and neighbors can come together to provide meaningful support, resources, and connection.
Lee Ann is a registered nurse and the Founder and Executive Director of We Remember You, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing education, support, and resources to family caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
For more information or to register for the free November 18 conference in Nashville, visit www.alzfdn.org/tour. Those who cannot participate in the conference or have immediate questions about Alzheimer’s disease can connect with licensed social workers seven days a week through AFA’s Helpline by calling 866-232-8484, texting 646-586-5283, or web chatting at www.alzfdn.org by clicking the blue and white chat icon in the right-hand corner of the page. The web chat and text message features are available in more than 90 languages.
About Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA)
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide support, services and education to individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias nationwide and to fund research for better treatment and a cure. Its services include a National Toll-Free Helpline (866-232-8484) staffed entirely by licensed social workers, caregiver support groups, educational programs and publications for caregivers, dementia-care training for healthcare professionals, the National Memory Screening Program, and more. For more information about AFA, call 866-232-8484, visit www.alzfdn.org, or connect with us on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, or LinkedIn. AFA holds Charity Navigator’s top 4-star rating.
