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Approximately 94,000 Minnesotans live with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, and a quarter million people provide unpaid care to these individuals. The value of this care to Minnesota and society is over $3.5 billion per year, which exceeds the annual revenue of some Fortune 500 companies.

In a tour across the state of Minnesota, University of Minnesota Professor Joseph Gaugler hopes to meet with families and professionals to talk about Alzheimer’s disease, share information and stories, and help people realize they are not alone on the dementia journey.

Gaugler is the Robert L. Kane endowed chair in long-term care and aging at the University of Minnesota, School of Public Health. His research interests are in Alzheimer’s disease, long-term care and finding innovative ways to support families who care for relatives with memory loss. The statewide tour is sponsored by the Minnesota Northstar Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program with funding through the Health Resources Services Administration. Outreach conferences are delivered via the Dementia Educational Experience Roadshow (DEER).

His presentations in Albert Lea will be from 11 to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 30 at the Albert Lea fire station, 417 S. Newton Ave. The presentations will be identical and are free to attend.

The event has been planned in coordination with the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce, host of the Age Friendly Freeborn County and Dementia Friendly Freeborn County efforts.