Annual Understanding Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia and Memory Loss Workshop

Thursday, March 15, 2018 

The Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin and the Grant County Dementia Care Network present the 19th Annual Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, and Memory Loss workshop at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College's Fred Lenz Conference Center in Fennimore.

Family members, direct care workers and professionals will learn the latest information and resources to help face this growing health epidemic. Learn about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and person centered care through informative and interactive presentations. 

This year's workshop offers break-out sessions designed for both family caregivers and professionals. 

 

Register Now!

Pre-registration is required. No walk-ins.
Cost: $25 per person * ; includes breakfast and lunch
No refunds.

* Scholorships are available for family caregivers to assist with registration fees.  

Respite care is available. Arrangments must be made by Thursday, March 1, 2018.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

8:00 - 8:30 AM Registration/Resource Fair/Continental breakfast

8:30 - 8:45 AM Welcome

8:45 - 9:45 AM Keynote Presentation: There is always a way - Creating connections with people living with dementia;

Presenter: Rachelle Blough, CTRS, CADDT, CDP

An interactive discussion focusing on practical ways to connect and provide engagement and purpose with people with dementia (PWD).

Learning Objective: Gain 3 or more examples of specific ways to connect with individuals in early, middle and late stages of Alzheimer’s.

9:45 - 10:00 AM  Resource Fair

10:00 - 11:00 AM  Breakout Session I

1A*  I want to go home - Preventative and supportive communication techniques

Presenter: Rachelle Blough, CTRS, CADDT, CDP

Re-visit what is formally called “behaviors” and reframe as “expressions”. Discover new ways of looking at a PWD acting out in distress. Learn customized techniques to utilize for persons with various stages of dementia.

Learning Objective: Learn to utilize 3 new techniques that could support prevention and reassurance for individuals living with memory loss.

1B  Becoming a “Dementia Friendly Hospital”, Presenters:  Margaret Flood, LCSW Caregiver Support Coordinator, Veterans Hospital, and Joy Schmidt, Dementia Care Specialist, Dane County Human Services

A Dementia Friendly Hospital takes into account the physical, sensory and cognitive needs of a person with dementia to provide a supportive environment. Learn how the VA integrated staff training, changes in the environment, and long term commitment to additional elements that support the person with dementia, care partners and family members.

Learning Objective: Identify the principles of a “Dementia Friendly Hospital” and steps needed to implement them in other health care settings.

11:00 - 11:15 AM   Break/Resource Fair

11:15 - 12:15 PM   Breakout Session II

2A* The Emotions of Caregiving

Presenters: Rita Stanton, RN, and Joan Pape, RMT

Being a caregiver may be one of the most compassionate, loving and rewarding things you’ll do. It’s easy to become overhelmed by the emotions, however, it’s important to be attentive to your needs and how this new role is    affecting your body, mind and spirit. To take care of another person, you must learn to care for yourself.               

Learning objective: Identify four emotions in the journey of caregiving and implement three steps to improve emotional health.

2B  No resident left behind - Working smart to meet the needs of ALL residents in residential care

Presenter: Rachelle Blough, CTRS, CADDT, CDP

An overview of a method allowing interdisciplinary teams to evaluate and understand the quality of life of each resident in their care. Provide innovations and approaches to connect with residents who may need additional human interaction and attention. Learn techniques to grow community and resident volunteers to increase touch time for focus residents.

Learning objective: Describe definitions of three categories of residents and tangible ways to improve their overall quality of life

12:15 - 1:15 PM  Lunch, Networking, Resource Fair

1:15 - 2:15 PM   Breakout Session III

3A*  ABC’s of Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Presenter: Dr. Robert Smith, Richland Area Geriatric Assessment Center

Receive information on medical aspects of dementia, research, effects of dementia on the person, and more. For families of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or a related disorder.

Learning objective: Identify four of the most commonly diagnosed types of dementia. Understand common areas of the brain affected by dementia.

3A*  ABC’s of Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Presenter: Sarah Endicott, DNP

Many people with dementia experience pain and suffering at end-of-life that may be alleviated by families and the health care team shifting treatment goals to comfort care. Explore the concept of comfort care and how families and professionals can provide palliative or hospice care at home, in skilled nursing facility, or acute care setting. 

Learning objective: Describe one method for providing comfort at end of life for PWD in the community, hospital, or long-term care setting.  

2:15 - 3:00 PM    Healthy Living for your Brain and Body

Presenter: Dr. Robert Smith, Richland Area Geriatric Assessment Center

Current research indicates lifestyle choices have significant impact on brain health. Learn tips on improving brain health and how to lower the risk of developing dementia. Featuring information on current research, over-the-counter medication risks, and scientifically-rooted nutritional and lifestyle advice.

Learning objective: Describe three categories of health benefits and identify over-the-counter medications that can negatively affect memory.

3:00 - 3:15 PM    Wrap-up and Evaluations