Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care

Whether it’s done from a place of love and devotion, or from necessity because it’s your job, caring for those with Alzheimer’s takes a tremendous amount of patience, acceptance, and understanding. Eventually, every caregiver, paid or unpaid, learns the truth of the statement, “All behavior is communication.” When someone with dementia is repeating the same story, again, for the third time or accusing you of stealing their money, what they are really trying to communicate is their world no longer makes sense and they need help. 

Maybe they’ve forgotten how to go to use the toilet or, maybe they don’t want to listen to your medical opinions, or maybe they are happier than they’ve ever been, but can’t take their own medication anymore. In these kinds of situations, the caregiver’s world doesn’t make sense either. A challenging part about being a caregiver, is adjusting our OWN beliefs, behaviors, and expectations as the care provider. The best way to do that is to learn new knowledge and new skills. 

How do you learn to not respond with anger or defensiveness when you’re accused of hiding their favorite socks? What do you say instead of, “Remember, I told you….” when you’ve told them 5 times already and they don’t remember? 

If you’re ready to learn new ways of caring for your loved one with dementia and yourself, or better understand anyone with dementia that you come into contact with at your job, register now to attend the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Seminar on Jan 27, 2023 from 9 am to 5 pm. This class will be held via Zoom and is an interactive course for those who care for and work with people diagnosed with dementia. Your instructor, Cynthia Perthuis, is a licensed Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer with years of experience working with families and providers to teach them the art of caring for those with these diagnoses.  She has also spent a great deal of time around her father, grandmother and great-grandmother who all suffered from dementia as they aged.  Topics covered will include: 

• Diagnosis
• Prognosis
• Treatment
• Repetitive Behavior
• Communication
• Feelings

• Depression
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Wandering
• Activities
• Staff & Family Support

• Hoarding
• Aggressive Behaviors
• Personal Care
• Pain
• Nutrition Catastrophic Reactions

• Environment
• Spiritual Care
• Intimacy & Sexuality
• Diversity & Cultural Competence
• End of Life

After this class, for those that want to, you are invited to take the path to certification as a Certified Dementia Practitioner through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners. This is an excellent opportunity for healthcare workers, front-line staff, and professionals who work with older adults to gain valuable education and skills and help your company stand out. The Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Seminar is the required seminar for those pursuing CDP certification through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners.  This course qualifies for 7 CEUs.

To register for the class or request more information, please visit our website at: www.seniorcare-nyfl.com/alzheimers-disease-and-dementia-care-seminar.html.

About Senior Care Authority of New York and Southwest Florida

Everyone at Senior Care Authority has been or currently is, a caregiver to a family member. The entire team has also been through the Certified Dementia Practitioner seminar. We are ready to assist you if you need expert advice on navigating the care choices your loved one deserves.

Sometimes families need help with navigating challenging transitions and a complex healthcare system. This can include facilitating essential conversations between family members, locating an assisted living community or skilled nursing facility, home care agency or caregiver selection, long-distance caregiving, finding the right resources and learning how to access them, or regular visits to your loved one, providing you with “peace of mind” when you are unable to visit.

Having someone on your care team, outside the family’s emotional landscape, can be a lifesaver. Imagine a go-to person you can turn to who will do the research, talk to providers, organize paperwork, or find those “needle in a haystack” resources. Senior Care Authority Advisors is ready to help. You and your Advisor can get to know each other and decide if working together is an excellent fit to meet your needs.

For a free consultation, contact Senior Care Authority at 239-330-2133 or visit the website at www.scanyfl.com.