Connecting Alaskans to Learning, Confidence, and Support
At Alzheimer’s Resource Alaska (ARA), we offer a wide range of education and support opportunities designed to empower families, caregivers, professionals, and individuals living with dementia or related conditions.
Whether you're just starting to navigate a diagnosis, caring for a loved one, or seeking ways to strengthen your brain health, we have something for you.
Most offerings are available virtually and statewide.
Not sure where to start? Call us at 907-561-3313 and we’ll guide you.
Featured Classes
These classes are offered regularly either in-person or virtually. Find a class that meets your current needs and click the link to see upcoming date and location information.
Caregiving 101
The Basics of Dementia Caregiving Made Simple
New to caregiving? This class is your starting point. Caregiving 101 helps you understand dementia, create daily routines, and care with confidence.
What you'll learn:
- What dementia is (and isn’t)
- How to manage daily challenges
- Tips to communicate with your loved one
- Ways to reduce stress for both of you
Offered regularly statewide, both virtually and in person. Ideal for new or informal caregivers. No prior experience required.
Mind Aerobics
Keep Your Brain Active and Engaged
This fun, interactive class is designed to stimulate your memory and thinking skills through a variety of mental exercises. It's a workout for your brain. Regular mental activity can help support brain health and may reduce your risk of cognitive decline.
Activities include:
- Word puzzles and problem-solving
- Logic games and visual exercises
- Friendly group challenges
Available virtually across Alaska. Great for older adults or anyone wanting to maintain cognitive health.
Savvy Caregiver
Build Skills. Reduce Stress. Feel Empowered.
This evidence-based course is for caregivers of people living with dementia. You’ll learn the “why” behind the behavior and what to do about it.
Topics include:
- Understanding the caregiving journey
- Problem-solving and planning tools
- Communication strategies
- Managing stress and burnout
Multi-week series offered quarterly. Open to caregivers statewide via Zoom.
Virtual Dementia Tour
Experience What Dementia Feels Like
This powerful hands-on immersive experience gives you a chance to “walk in the shoes” of someone living with dementia. You’ll come away with greater understanding, compassion, empathy and practical insight.
Simulates changes in:
- Vision and hearing
- Mobility and coordination
- Processing and communication
Ideal for caregivers, families, professionals, and students. Offered in person at scheduled locations.
Memory Café
Connection, Conversation, and Comfort
Memory Cafés are relaxed gatherings where individuals living with dementia and their care partners come together to enjoy music, conversation, and creative activities.
What to expect:
- Friendly faces and a welcoming space
- Light refreshments
- Meaningful moments and shared experiences
Held regularly across Alaska. Open to all drop in or stay a while.
Mind Matters
Education and Support for the Early Stages
Mind Matters is an education and support program for individuals with early memory loss and their caregivers or partners.
What to expect:
Participants share experiences while engaging in a variety of meaningful activities.
Art Links
Where Creativity Meets Connection
Art Links is a free program that brings people with memory loss and their care partners together to create, express, and enjoy the process; no art experience needed.
Participants enjoy:
- A variety of artistic mediums
- Music and movement
- Memory-rich conversations
Facilitated by ARA staff and local artists. Offered in person and online.
Risk Reduction Courses
Small Changes. Big Impact.
Learn how lifestyle choices affect brain health and what you can do, starting today, to reduce your risk of developing dementia.
Courses cover:
- Gain knowledge, tools, and resources to improve and preserve your memory and cognitive skills
- Developed from most recent medical research
- Participants set goals to make changes that they choose
Presented virtually and in community settings, most courses over multiple weeks. Perfect for adults of any age.
Mental Health First Aid
Be the Help Until Help Arrives
This nationally recognized course teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to mental health and substance use issues.
You’ll learn:
- How to approach someone in crisis
- Tools for offering support safely
- Resources for dementia-related mental health needs
Certification available. Open to caregivers, staff, and the general public.
ABCs of Dementia
Understand the Journey, From A to Z
The ABCs of Dementia is a great first step in understanding what dementia is, how it’s diagnosed, and what to expect.
Topics include:
- Early signs and stages
- Treatment and care options
- Community resources available
Open to all especially helpful for newly diagnosed individuals and families.
Support Groups
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Our support groups are safe, confidential spaces for caregivers, families, and friends of people living with dementia to share, connect, and support one another.
Additional details:
- Guided by trained facilitators.
- Regular meetings in Anchorage, Mat-Su, and online statewide.
- Phone, Teams and Zoom options available statewide.
Meeting Alaska’s Growing Dementia Challenge
The journey with Alzheimer’s and related dementias can be overwhelming, but no Alaskan has to face it alone. As our state's population ages faster than any other in the nation, the need for specialized support, education, and care services grows more urgent every day.