IntegraCare presents free webinars on dementia care

PITTSBURGH - Oct. 29, 2020 - PRLog -- Approximately 5.7 million people in the United States are living with dementia, yet this group of symptoms that impact memory, reasoning and social skills often is misunderstood.

    Pittsburgh-based IntegraCare, which operates 13 senior living communities in three states, will feature renown dementia care and education specialist Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, in a series of three free Zoom webinars to address this important topic on Nov. 4-5. The webinars will be open to the public.

    "Teepa Snow is one of the leading educators on dementia and the care necessary to assist those people who are experiencing symptoms and changes in brain function," said Beth Garrard, IntegraCare Marketing Associate and Digital Media Manager. "She offers insight and perspective that is helpful to both those affected by dementia and the caregivers."

   "Dementia 360," the first webinar, will begin at 12:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Nov. 4. In this session, Snow will provide a variety of perspectives on dementia and help in the development of programming and services that meet the needs of those affected by dementia.

    "It will address dementia-related issues from the point of view of the individuals with dementia, individuals without dementia, family members, care-giving staff, food service and housekeeping staff, maintenance and reception staff, as well as friends and visitors, regulators and marketing," Garrard said.

  The second webinar in the series entitled "Person-Centered Care Planning" will begin at 1 p.m. EST on Thursday, Nov. 5. This session by Snow is designed to help care providers and professionals better understand and meet the needs of the person for whom they are providing care and assistance.

   "The session will help identify the key factors that should be taken into consideration when planning a care routine for the person who is living with dementia," Garrard said.

   The third session entitled "Develop Activities with Meaning" will begin at 4 p.m. EST on Thursday, Nov. 5. Snow will help mental health professionals and caregivers develop and offer activity programs that are appropriate and effective when residents have various degrees of cognitive impairment.

    "Emphasis will be placed on providing caregivers with the skills needed to determine the residents' remaining skills and interests, and then selecting activities that would promote interaction and engagement while reducing distress and isolation," Garrard said.

    To participate in the Zoom webinars: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0VBsp2_PQW-ClqdKRWrIEQ