There is significant evidence that cognitive decline can be delayed and quality of life improved by engaging older adults with dementia in activities that continue to exercise mental faculties. Cognitive interventions are easy to learn and don’t cause adverse effects, which are often associated with medications. This webinar covers activities designed to help individuals with retention and improvement of cognitive and sensory abilities throughout the course of Alzheimer’s disease. Methods include general use of cognitive games and puzzles, passive sensory stimulation, and direct cognitive training. This session will also present various cognitive and sensory strategies that can be implemented by general care providers or staff who work regularly with clients with dementia.

This webinar covers activities that provide a sense of purpose and enjoyment along with emotional support for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Research suggests that physically and socially stimulating recreational activities can decrease problem behaviors, increase overall functioning, and slow the progression of cognitive decline; likewise, lack of pleasurable activities may further exacerbate the impairment associated with dementia. This webinar aims to improve attitude, mood, and quality of life for clients who have dementia, as well as provide for more meaningful engagement in life and a strengthened sense of dignity. It is crucial to avoid treating dementia clients as children; rather, we should listen to and respect them, and conversational stimulation can be part of all interactions you have with a client.

This webinar covers important aspects of working constructively with people who have dementia, not simply correcting behavioral and emotional issues that stem from the disease. Such care involves greater awareness of a client’s history and personality, strategies for communicating with and motivating clients, working with family members, and managing caregiver stress. At Memory Therapeutics, our fundamental purpose is to maintain and improve client function, thus increasing the amount of time clients can stay in their own homes and experience greater quality of life. We accomplish this goal by intervening beyond basic assistance with ADLs, and by facilitating activities that further engage clients, both mentally and physically. The focus is on each client as an individual, not simply another person with dementia. In addition to increased mental and physical function, a primary objective of these interventions is to empower clients with a greater sense of dignity and meaningful purpose. This webinar will also discusses the effects of dementia and strategies for care that are culturally, environmentally, and historically aware with regard to the individual contexts of the client.

Aging in a Changing World

Early bird registration ends August 17!

41st Annual Scientific and Educational Meeting
Canadian Association on Gerontology (http://www.cagacg.ca)

October 18 – 20, 2012, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Join us in an exciting and dynamic forum for knowledge exchange and networking in the field of aging at CAG2012: Aging in a Changing World, the 41st Annual Scientific and Educational Meeting of the Canadian Association on Gerontology (http://bit.ly/CAG2012). 

CAG2012 is an interdisciplinary event featuring stimulating pre-conference workshops, world-renowned keynote speakers, cutting-edge symposia, thought-provoking paper and poster presentations, and networking opportunities.  CAG2012 will be of interest to researchers, practitioners, decision- and policy-makers, students, older adults, community groups and all others with an interest in individual and population aging. 

Full conference program and registration available at http://bit.ly/CAG2012

CAG members receive a discount on conference registration, in addition to other member benefits.  Read more about joining the CAG at http://bit.ly/CAGMembership. 

Follow us on Facebook (http://on.fb.me/cag_acg) or Twitter (http://twitter.com/cagacg) to keep up-to-date on the conference. 

Join us in Vancouver for a conference you’ll always remember in a city you’ll never forget!

CAG2012 is hosted by Simon Fraser University Department of Gerontology and Gerontology Research Centre.

Please note, all conference events are subject to change.
 

This webinar will discuss the emergence of the field of creative aging and the seminal work of Dr. Gene Cohen. Michael Patterson and Susan Perlstein will review research on the impact the arts have on the health and well-being of participants, reviewing and updating information first discussed in the Generations article called “The Creative Arts and Brain Health in Later Life.”