Behavior management in dementia care

Teri Sellers

The Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregivers Support Group is pleased to have Stephanie Fialkin present at our March 17 meeting. Stephanie is the Executive Director of Rock Creek Special Care, a Koelsch Senior Living Community in Surprise. She is a clinical social worker specializing in cognitive disorders. Her experience in healthcare spans over 20 years in a variety of capacities including: program development, healthcare management, marketing, operations and clinical oversight.

The world of an Alzheimer’s/Dementia patient is very different from what we consider to be normal. How they perceive and process what is going on around them, often is not what we would expect. How they react can also be unexpected to untrained and trained caregivers alike. We call these reactions behaviors, but for the person with dementia it is just a reaction.

Stephanie’s presentation will include a comprehensive discussion on: Behavior Management in Dementia Care.

Caregivers can expect to receive the following information:

How to identify a dementia related behavior.

What are the possible origins of the dementia related behavior?

The most effective responses to dementia related behaviors.

Respite Care

We may be able to provide free respite care for those with Alzheimer’s/Dementia during the caregiver meeting. This will allow the caregiver the opportunity and peace of mind to attend the discussion group. Please call me with your RSVP no later than Tuesday, March 16.

Monthly Breakfast

A more casual opportunity to meet and share with other caregivers is the first Saturday of each month. Joyce VanOrnam and I will arrange a table at Eagle’s Nest so that we can have breakfast and just talk. Getting to know other caregivers can be very supportive and helpful as the journey of this disease can be challenging. RSVP is required by February 28 for the March 3 breakfast.

For information or to RSVP for respite care or the breakfast, please call Teri Sellers at 602-793-0299 or email [email protected].