NARC Continuing Education: MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF DEMENTIA

NARC Continuing Education Program
Meeting The Challenges of Dementia
Thursday, July 16, 2009 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Knollwood
6200 Oregon Ave NW
Washington, DC 20015
Immediately following the Senior Network Lunch. Ample free parking is available.
Call 703-566-JOIN

Caring for a person with dementia is challenging and somewhat overwhelming. It is estimated that dementia can take place in up to 50% of the population 85 years and older, and many of us in the senior services industry will interact with people who have some level of dementia and/or their family members. The session will provide professionals with a greater level of understanding about the thought patterns and physical needs of persons with dementia, and the consequent caregiving issues, associated with the daily experiences of Alzheimer’s patients. The session will review the current research and what looks promising for the future. Professionals will traverse the mine field of Alzheimer’s disease and come away with a better understanding of how to navigate through the emotional and social issues. One focus will be to look at the financial cost of Alzheimer’s and how this will impact the health care industry in the future. At the end of the session, professionals should be able to more effectively communicate with the Alzheimer’s patient and the family.

Stephanie Barrett, a trainer in Dementia care, will present this session. Stephanie is the former Director of Alzheimer’s units at Northwest Healthcare Center and Sunrise Senior Living. She holds an M.A degree in neuro-psychology from Wesleyan University and has worked in the clinical field for over 20 years. She has extensive knowledge and experience in the field of Alzheimer’s care, whose work includes a research grant from the Epilepsy Foundation and research on dementia in Down’s Syndrome patients at Johns Hopkins University. A published author in clinical journals, Stephanie has also been a presenter at the annual regional meeting of Clinical Psychologists for 5 consecutive years and a consultant to the New Zealand Ministry of Education for three years.