FAIRHOPE, Ala. — A six-week class on “Alzheimer’s and the Family” starts later this month at the University of South Alabama Baldwin County campus in Fairhope.

“The class is especially appropriate for family members or health professionals who care for Alzheimer’s patients,” said Robyn Andrews, USABC spokeswoman.

The class will meet Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m. beginning Jan. 26 and ending March 9 with no class on Feb. 23. The cost is $65. Twelve hours of continuing education credit are available to interested health and mental health professional for an additional $15.

Fairhope resident Dr. Harvey Joanning, a marriage and family therapist and professor, will teach the class and brings a personal perspective and experience to the subject.

Joanning’s first wife died of Early-Onset Familial Alzheimer’s disease, Andrews said.

“He was her caregiver for 10 years and has had extensive experience leading support groups and writing about his experiences as a caregiver,” she said. “He is a professional volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association as well as a consultant to health care professionals and Alzheimer’s families for 20 years. He consults regularly with Alzheimer’s disease research centers throughout the United States.”

Joanning is professor emeritus and former director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Doctoral Program at Iowa State University and currently on the faculties of USA and Faulkner State Community College and teaches at Iowa State in the summers, according to a news release about the class. He lives in Fairhope where he and his wife, Patricia Keoughan Ph.D., are in private practice.

“The class will describe Alzheimer’s disease and its effects on the family as the patient changes,” Andrews said. “The class begins with an overview of how the disease process affects neurons and brain structures. The Alzheimer’s disease process is then broken down into four stages. The stage model focuses on physical, behavioral, and emotional changes occurring in the patient along with common reactions that occur in the caregiver and family members as they attempt to cope. Family and caregiver needs during each stage of the disease are highlighted, and resources available to support the patient and family are detailed.”

The course will describe how to care for an Alzheimer’s patient at each stage in the disease process, and the most recent research on the disease process and new medications will be included, according to the news release. Time will be available during each class for participants to ask questions and discuss issues particular to their family or work setting. Handouts will be e-mailed to class participants.

To register for the “Alzheimer’s and the Family” course or to learn about additional continuing education courses offered, call 928-8133 or visit online at baldwincounty.southalabama.edu.