The teleconference, "Living with Grief: Alzheimer's Disease," will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in rooms 1 and 5 on the Garden Level of the Oviatt Library, located in the center of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge.

An expert panel will discuss what is known medically about the diagnosis, progression and treatment of the disease; explore some innovative programs for patients and caregivers coping with Alzheimer's; focus on the particular grief issues that patients and families face during the course of this illness; and examine the challenges and opportunities that Alzheimer's disease presents to clinicians, caregivers, hospice workers and policy advocates.

Broadcast journalist Cokie Roberts will moderate the discussion.

The panelists include:

• Kenneth J. Doka, a professor of gerontology at the Graduate School of The College of New Rochelle and a senior consultant to Hospice Foundation of America;
• Dr. Parag Dalsania, director of the geriatric clinic for the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington D.C.;
• Lisa P. Gwyther, a social worker with more than 30 years of experience in aging and Alzheimer's services and founder of the Alzheimer's Family Support Program at Duke University's Center for Aging;
• William E. Haley, chair of the University of South Florida's Department of Gerontology;
• Dr. Richard J. Ham, director of the West Virginia University Center on Aging and a professor of geriatric medicine and psychiatry at the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center in Morgantown;
• Lin E. Noyes, clinical director of the Alzheimer's Family Day Center in Falls Church, Va.; and
• Therese A. Rando, clinical director of the Institute for the Study and Treatment of Loss in Warwick, R.I., and a specialist in loss and grief, traumatic stress and psychosocial care of chronically or terminally ill persons and their families.

The teleconference at Cal State Northridge is sponsored by the university's Gerontology Program, the San Fernando Valley End of Life Coalition and the Alzheimer's Association's Greater San Fernando Valley Office.

California State University, Northridge has 33,000 full- and part-time students and offers 61 bachelor's and 42 master's degrees as well as 28 education credential programs. Founded in 1958, it is the only four-year university in the San Fernando Valley and the fourth largest in the 23-campus CSU system. The university serves as the intellectual, economic and cultural heart of the Valley and beyond.