Alzheimer's workshops offered in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Sitka

Early registration is open for a one-day workshop on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, to be offered in February in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Sitka. Sponsored by Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska, the interactive workshop, titled “Accepting the Challenge,” will feature Teepa Snow, a renowned expert on Alzheimer’s and dementia care.

Snow is an occupational therapist currently working as a dementia care and dementia education specialist with an independent practice. She has clinical appointments with Duke University’s School of Nursing and UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Medicine and has over 30 years of experience in geriatrics.

Discussion will encompass six key elements of dementia and care:

• Impact of the level and type of dementia on the person’s abilities and lack of abilities

• Impact of other conditions, medications, treatments, sensory changes on the person’s abilities

• Role of life history, personality traits, personal preferences

• Power of environmental features and factors

• Importance of familiar routines and rhythms throughout the day

• Impact of behavior of care providers and others on individual’s actions

Who should go? Anyone working directly with individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or related dementia, which can include nurses, social workers, CNAs, in-home workers, PCAs, as well as administrators supervising and supporting the direct workforce. Family caregivers are also welcome to attend.

The workshop schedule is:

Anchorage, Feb. 3 at the Egan Center, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fairbanks, Feb. 4 at Westmark Hotel, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sitka, Feb. 6 at Westmark Hotel, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A light breakfast and afternoon snack will be provided. A one hour lunch break is scheduled however lunch is not provided.

The series is co-sponsored by the Trust Training Cooperative and CEU credit is available. Cost is $95 for early registration (ends Jan. 17) or $125 for late registration, which ends Jan. 31. To register, visit http://www.ttclms.org. Questions? Contact Derek Alexander at 907-830-7290 or derek@ttclms.org