Baptist Union County hosts community luncheon about Alzheimer's disease

NEW ALBANY, Miss., - Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County is hosting a free luncheon for the community about Alzheimer's disease.

Guest speaker Dr. Tim Thompson, medical director of hospital medicine, will talk about Alzheimer's and what resources are available for caregivers. Educational information will be available from the Baptist Memory Care Center, a free resource center that offers solutions and support for patients and caregivers dealing with dementia or other memory-related issues. The center is located in Memphis, but treats patients from surrounding areas, including New Albany. A representative from the Alzheimer's Association of Mississippi Chapter will also be present to answer questions and provide more information about the disease.

The luncheon will take place at noon on Nov. 12 at Hillcrest Baptist Church. The event is free but limited seating is available. Guests must RSVP by calling 662-538-2197.

"Numerous people in the United States are affected by Alzheimer's disease, whether it's directly or through a patient or family member," said Walter Grace, CEO and administrator of Baptist Union County. "Our hospital is providing the community with resources and tools needed to deal with loved ones with Alzheimer's."

Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. Of the estimated 5.3 million Americans with Alzheimer's, an estimated 5.1 million people are age 65 and older, and approximately 200,000 of affected individuals are under age 65.

Baptist Union County, the recipient of many awards and accolades, was most recently recognized as one of three hospitals in the nation to receive the 2015 QUEST® Award for High-Value HealthCare for providing outstanding patient care. In order to receive the award, the hospital must achieve top performance in all areas measured in Premier's QUEST collaborative, including cost and efficiency; inpatient and outpatient evidence-based care; mortality; safety; patient experience; and appropriate hospital use. The hospital was also awarded the Outstanding Patient Experience Award by Healthgrades and was named a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures® by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America, in 2012 and 2013. Baptist Union County offers a variety of health care services, including adult and pediatric inpatient services, labor and delivery, outpatient and laser surgery and a 24-hour, newly renovated emergency room. The hospital also offers telemedicine and imaging and laboratory services, including an American College of Radiology-accredited MRI machine.

For more information about Baptist Union County, please call 662-538-7631 or visit unioncounty.baptistonline.org.