On Friday, May 16, the Maine Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association is hosting a statewide educational conference at the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn. The conference theme is, "'I'm Still Here': Entering the World of the Person with Dementia" and will feature speakers Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D, Joanne Koenig Coste and Paul Raia, Ph.D, as well as workshops.

Coste and Raia will share their special approach of using the language of emotions to treat dementia to simplify and make life more meaningful and enjoyable. Carrillo, the director of Medical and Scientific Relations for the National Alzheimer's Association, will be presenting an Alzheimer's research update. This conference is for professionals, family members and caregivers dealing with this disease.

Coste is a nationally recognized expert on Alzheimer's disease and an outspoken advocate for patient and family care. She developed her groundbreaking habilitation therapy - which focuses on patient's emotions and their remaining capacities - when her own middle-aged husband was diagnosed with progressive dementia. Her recent book, "Learning to Speak Alzheimer's," contains practical tips to ease life for those involved with Alzheimer's, and has been featured in the New York Times, NPR's Talk of the Nation, and the NBC Weekend Today Show.

Raia has served for 20 years as director of patient care and family support at the Alzheimer's Association, Massachusetts Chapter. A program innovator, teacher and author, Raia has special interest in the environmental design of Alzheimer's care units; the management of problem behaviors - especially for those with frontal/temporal lobe forms of dementia, and the special needs of those dually diagnosed with Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. His workshop will demonstrate practical, proactive strategies for applying the lessons of habilitation to the everyday situations caregivers face.

The registration deadline is May 9. Doors open at 8 a.m. The registration fee for family members is $30 and $90 for professionals. Registration fees include lunch and six CEU's or the equivalent for professionals. Scholarships are available for family caregivers. For more information, or to register you may contact the Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter at 772-0115 or visit our Web site at www.alz.org/maine.