The Professional Geriatric Care Manager’s Blog

Alzheimer’s Association Annual Conference

I attended the Alzheimer’s Association Annual Conference this past Friday. I attend the conference every year and, as usual, this one did not disappoint!

From the opening remarks to the final elective workshop that I attended, the day was amazing.

I thought the most interesting session was presented by the keynote speaker, Cameron J. Camp, PhD. Called “I’m Still Here ®: A Montesessori Based Approach to Providing Care to Persons with Dementia,” the session provided the attendees with many interventions regarding activity planning that enable the caregiver to avoid pharmacological approaches. Basically, he reminded everyone of the important fact that those living with dementia have the same needs as those without dementia. The thing that really excited me about this presentation is the fact that so much of what he was talking about with regard to dementia care are practices that Distinctive Care already has in place. He spoke about how persons living with dementia have the need to feel self-worth, express one’s thoughts and feelings, and have a sense of belonging and accomplishment. He stresses the importance of “destigmatizing” dementia and “embracing the person in the person with dementia.” As I sat there listening I wanted to jump up and shout, “This is what Distinctive Care does every single day!” and to tell him the story about my lunch and shopping trip with one of our Clients which took place earlier in the week.

The workshop I attended was “Best Practices: Creating Therapeutic Activities for Quality Dementia Care” with the expectation that I would be able to provide our Care Managers with even more interventions to ensure a high quality of life for all our Clients. I was not disappointed and will certainly apply what I learned, and our Care Managers will also implement the assessment techniques and care planning information I shared with them in their practice.

I have so many new ideas that I can’t wait to implement and already am excitedly planning for next year’s program.

Distinctive Care is a care management practice that takes special pride in the care we provide for our Clients living with dementia every day with specialized, individualized care planning for each individual Client to address their specific needs and to improve their quality of life. If you have a loved-one living with dementia and are at the point where you feel you need help with your caregiving and are not sure where to turn, please contact us in our Ridgewood, New Jersey office to see if we can assist you and your family in providing the highest quality of life possible for your loved one which in turn will provide you with a more satisfying role as a caregiver. We assist families in Bergen, Passaic and northwest New Jersey and families in Rocland, Orange and Westchester counties in New York. We can be reached at 201-857-5283.