Alzheimer’s Association & ISU CSD Educational Series: A Collaborative Initiative
The Illinois State University Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) is proud to announce a new partnership with the launch of the inaugural Alzheimer’s Association & ISU CSD Educational Series. Outreach to the local and campus community begins Monday, September 22, at 7 p.m. at the Normal Theater with a free viewing of the film You’re looking at me like I live here and I don’t.
This film illustrates the experiences of a person living with Alzheimer’s disease within a memory care unit. Speakers from CSD and the Alzheimer’s Association will also discuss resources available to community members needing more information about this condition.
The film is the first of many activities shared by CSD and the local Alzheimer’s Association. This extensive collaborative initiative is designed to deepen student understanding and community awareness of aging, wellness, neurodegenerative disease processes, and advocacy. Through a series of interprofessional and intergenerational events, the series provides undergraduate and graduate students with experiential learning opportunities while simultaneously supporting older adults in the community through education, early detection, and access to local resources.
Fall 2025 events
- September 23: The Illinois State University chapter of National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSHLA) will hold a meeting featuring a presentation on Healthy Habits by the Alzheimer’s Association, along with cognitive screenings.
- October 1 and 3: Cognitive screening events
- October 4: Participation in the Alzheimer’s Walk, featuring CSD-hosted tables with brain games, clinic and research promotion, and brain health resources
Spring 2026 events
- March: Educational presentations and cognitive/hearing screenings at the Activity and Recreation Center (ARC), led by Alzheimer’s Association and Illinois State graduate speech-language pathology and audiology students.
- April: Similar programming at the Normal Public Library, continuing the focus on education, screening, and resource sharing
This partnership exemplifies CSD’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and community-centered service, while providing students with meaningful opportunities to engage in advocacy and clinical practice related to aging and cognitive health.
Contact Tricia Larkin at (309) 438-5090 or pllark1@IllinoisState.edul if you would like more information about the film or this collaborative community endeavor.
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