Anyone interested in learning more about Alzheimer’s and how to care for those with the condition are invited to attend an informational meeting.

Forsyth County Senior Services will present Alzheimer’s Basics and Communications Skills from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 25 at Sexton Hall Enrichment Center, 2115 Chloe Road in south Forsyth.

The event, held in conjunction with CARE-NET, a network of Alzheimer’s caregivers around the state, will feature speaker Sarah Carson of the Georgia chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Laura Bagwell, Alzheimer’s respite care team leader with senior services, said the event should be informative.

“It’s a basic course … it just helps you know what to expect with the disease and the progression and that it is a physical disease,” Bagwell said. “A lot of times, people’s personalities change but they can’t exactly help it … sometimes it’s hard for people to understand. But I think it’s easier if they learn that this is what’s happening in their body and this is why they change.”

Bagwell said the event is free and open to the public, but those interested in attending should R.S.V.P. by Sept. 21.

“I just need to give [the speaker] a count because she usually gives them a whole big packet with her presentation and then other little things from the Alzheimer’s Association, like informational brochures,” Bagwell said.

The event will also serve as training for volunteers with the county’s Alzheimer’s respite care group, called the Sunshine Club.

Bagwell said the group meets from 11:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Center at Charles Place on Dahlonega Highway.

“It’s a day program for people with early to mid-stage Alzheimer’s and it’s myself and volunteers who do it,” she said. “Anyone interested in more information about that program should contact me.”

Bagwell said this will be the first time the training event has been held at Sexton Hall. The larger space, she hopes, will boost turnout.

“And we would love to have multiple counties if we can,” she said, adding that the course can often bring some peace of mind to caregivers.

“Many times people think, ‘Oh, they’re just doing that on purpose or oh, they’re being difficult,’” she said. “But it’s like, ‘No, they can’t help it.’

“I think if [caregivers] can kind of understand some of the physical of what’s happening, it’s a little easier to deal with it.”