Canasta is his forte, but he almost always wins at cards, whatever the game.

But he cannot figure out how old he is, even though he knows the year of his birth.

That’s Alzheimer’s for you.

And although it’s different for everyone, the scenario involving this Northeast Ohio man is a typical one, baffling many. And Alzheimer’s affects one in every nine people over 65.

“Longtime memories often are deeply embedded and the skills more easily retrieved,” said Dr. Douglas Scharre, clinical neuroscience researcher and behavioral neurologist. “It’s short-term memory that is most affected by Alzheimer’s disease.”

Scharre is the director of Cognitive and Memory Disorders in the Neurology Department at The Ohio State University. He’ll bring his 30-plus years of experience in the diagnosis and management of cognitive issues to the Alzheimer’s & Caregiving Educational Conference in Cleveland on July 16 at the Crowne Plaza Cleveland at Playhouse Square, 1260 Euclid Ave.

According to a news release from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, sponsor of the conference, other presenters include those who will address issues related to burnout by caregivers, music therapy and driving under the influence of dementia. Free confidential memory screenings will be conducted throughout the day.

Set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the conference will provide answers and information about the latest research and treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease, which now affects 7.2 million people in the U.S., according to the American Hospital Association.

Today, however, those who are diagnosed early can be treated, Scharre said. That diagnosis can now be achieved with blood tests.

“Knowledge is a useful and powerful tool that can help make any situation easier to navigate, especially something as challenging as caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Charles J. Fuschillo Jr., president of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, in the release.

The conference, which is open to everyone by advance registration, brings together experts in Alzheimer’s disease, brain health, caregiving, and aging.

“Connecting families with useful, practical information and support can help them be better prepared for the future,” Fuschillo said.

“There are hundreds of causes for the brain not working well, which we call dementia,” Scharre said. “Medications, strokes, and infections are some of them, and many can be reversed with treatment. Even Alzheimer’s can be effectively treated when it’s discovered early, when there are more options.”

He’s an advocate of patients being informed about their Alzheimer’s and becoming involved in their treatment.

Today’s scientists know that Alzheimer’s is characterized by an abnormal build-up of two proteins, amyloid beta and tau, that form plaques and tangles that block the function of the brain’s neurons. Destroying those proteins can result in a longer, more functional life for those with Alzheimer’s.

The conference will include Katherine Judge, a scientist with the Center for Education and Research at the Cleveland-based Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, who will discuss caregiver burnout, including the importance of self-care with practical strategies caregivers can use to take care of themselves. A researcher, she’s the director of the Adult Development and Aging Doctoral Program at Cleveland State University.

Kaylie Glenn will detail her Memory Disco Program, teaching how music can be a powerful tool for dementia care with a multi-sensory music experience that fosters joy, connection, and purpose. She claims that music can access parts of the brain that remain preserved even as other cognitive functions decline, thus offering a wide range of emotional, cognitive, and physical benefits for people with Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in the middle and late stages of the illness. She will provide practical strategies to incorporate music into daily routines and create meaningful connections.

Occupational therapist Mary Molnar will discuss the role that dementia, memory and executive function play in the safety of older drivers. In her “Driving Under the Influence of Dementia” session at the conference, she will teach techniques designed to assist older drivers and their families in making informed decisions about driving safety as cognitive and physical abilities change.

“Driving is a complex task,” she said in the release. “It depends on attention, memory, judgment, spatial awareness, reaction time and decision-making – all of which can be compromised when someone has a progressing dementia-related illness.”

Molnar is co-owner of Senior Care Authority – Greater Cleveland, which specializes in eldercare consulting and senior living placement services.

Advance registration is recommended for the conference

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 16.

Crowne Plaza Cleveland at Playhouse Square, 1260 Euclid Ave.

alzfdn.org/tour.

Common Azheimer’s symptoms include difficulty finding words; trouble completing complex mental tasks — those with multiple steps, such as balancing a checkbook and aying bills; confusion about time, place or people; misplacing familiar objects; personality changes, such as irritability or depression; loss of interest in important responsibilities; expressing false beliefs; changes in judgment; and difficulty in making decisions

Those with immediate questions about Alzheimer’s disease can connect with licensed social workers seven days a week through Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s national toll-free Helpline, 866-232-8484; by texting 646-586-5283; or web chatting at alzfdn.org.