Caregiver Conference Update
Our Fifth Annual Caregivers Conference, "Blessings by the Bay," was held August 13, 2010 at the Holley Academic Center, FSU-PC Campus. It was a special day, filled with many opportunities for education, relazation, and enjoyment!
The keynote speaker, Dr. Richard Powers, is a geriatric psychiatrist, a neuropathologist, and is also a leading authority on Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia. His presentation was entitled "Practical Management for Persons with Dementia." He was able to share many important things including pictures showing the contrast of healthy areas of the brain, and then the apprearance of those areas of the brain when affected by the various forms of dementia. The physical affects on the brain were clearly visible. He shared what functions were affected in each area, and common behaviors exhibited due to the damage to the brain. The visuals and explanations helped to better understand the true source of change that Caregivers see in the one they are caring for. Dr. Powers also shared many examples of how the person with dementia feels/what they experience in different situations. For example, the fear they feel when someone attempts to undress them and give them a shower or bath. Through his examples and explanations, we came to understand that what was once a normal part of daily routine has now become frightening and confusing.
It was a morning of new understanding for most who attended - understanding that this special person in changing because of true changes in the brain, and once the disease is advanced, they live in a very confusing, frightening place.
Following Dr. Powers' presentation, those attending had the task of choosing which break-out session to attend. The choices included
"Faith and Caregiving", led by Flo Bilelo, MSW
"Legal Issues for Caregivers,", Leg by Jason White, Esq, Jelks & White
"Positive Attitude", Led by Mike Mclaughlin, MSW, Covenant Hospice
"The Magic of Music and Memory", led by Collen Cox, Board Certified Music Therapist, Emerald Coast Behavioral.
The variety of topics enabled everyone to find an area that was helpful to them.
Our day of blessings included two other speakers as well. Following a wonderful lunch, Gwen "Gigi" Kady, P.T., of Gentiva Health Services spoke on "Fall Prevention," and provided a demonstration of how to assist someone who has fallen and also tips on how to assist someone who has difficulty transferring from one place to another. The day culminated in a time of Storytelling by Judy Colley, a storytelling enthusiast.
It was a very full day... Including the availability of massages, manicures and a beautiful facility as FSU_PC, and the beautiful bay just behond the glass wall at the rear of the lecture hall. Through all that was experienced that day, we certainly hope that all those who attened did find special "Blessings by the Bay".
We that our sponsors: Amadisys Home Health; Jelks & White, P.A.; Area Agency on Aging; Bay County Council on Aging; Gulf County Senior Citizens Association; Holmes County Council on Aging; Jackson County Senior Citizens Association; and Washington County Council on Aging. We also thank all the exhibitors who were such an important addition to our conference. There were many good resources available to probide information and assistance to Caregivers.
We look forward to seeing you next year!
Blessings to each of you...