Occupational Therapy Impact in Dementia
Occupational Therapists play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for persons living with dementia. Through their expertise and compassionate care, they help individuals maintain their independence, cope with challenges, and engage in meaningful activities that bring joy and fulfillment.
We are celebrating Occupational Therapists this month to recognize their dedication to supporting not just the physical needs of their patients, but also their emotional and cognitive well-being. Their creative approaches and tailored interventions empower individuals with dementia to live with dignity and purpose.
Let us honor and appreciate the incredible contributions of occupational therapists in dementia care, as they make a profound difference in the lives of those they serve!
Dementia education can reduce stigma and change staff attitudes. By better understanding dementia, we can lessen misconceptions and stigmas surrounding it that often result in social isolation, discrimination, infantilization, and neglect.
Spotlight On: Peggy Griswold!
For Peggy Griswold, a Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA), and Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), at Home Instead in Morris County, New Jersey, a person-centered approach when caring for someone with dementia is essential in building trust.
While working with her clients and their families, Peggy describes her experiences as truly life-changing and impactful. “I love hearing interesting stories about their lives as well as their rich family history. A person with dementia isn’t defined by their disease. They have so much to share and offer. Living in the moment with my client and building that connection is key to providing that person-centered care”. She adds “Having a stranger coming into their homes can be difficult and even scary, so it is vitally important to be patient, ask questions, and to listen. This allows me to build trust and to really understand what is important to my clients, with the goal of
enhanced safety and comfort.”
Peggy embarked on her journey as a care provider in her home state of Minnesota, where she began taking care of preschool children. Upon moving to NJ in 2000, she found a job as a senior companion and quickly realized that she loved working with older adults. She took the next step as a professional caregiver to become a New Jersey Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA), which enables Peggy to provide the essential hands-on care that allows seniors the opportunity to safely age in place at home. In the nearly ten years since Peggy became a CHHA, she has helped over 50 clients with personalized in-home assistance.
When Home Instead of Morris County sought to hand-pick their top Care Professionals for Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) training through NCCDP, Peggy immediately stood out as an obvious choice based on her innate compassion and dedication to making her clients’ lives better.
Home Instead, the largest network of home care providers in the world, has 12 independent offices in New Jersey. Home Instead’s comprehensive dementia training takes approximately five months and consists of a robust combination of 75 hours of classroom, on-line, and one-on-one clinical instruction. As a US Department of Labor Apprenticeship organization, Home Instead has partnered with the NJ Department of Labor to provide some of the most complete, professional dementia care offered in New Jersey.
Ultimately, the CDP training through NCCDP gives Peggy and all enrolled Home Instead Care Professionals the skills necessary to honor who the person with dementia was earlier in life, maintain a safe environment, and create opportunities for meaningful social interaction with patience and empathy. These skills collectively allow Peggy to provide the necessary support her clients and their family members need to manage this devasting, incurable disease at home while maintaining a high quality of life.
It is Peggy’s commitment to learn and understand of Alzheimer’s and other dementias that makes her so impactful. She states, “The CDP training has pushed me to try new approaches to improve the independence and functioning for the person with dementia. My job and career satisfaction has improved so much because of dementia training through NCCDP. It helps to elevate and support my relationships with my clients, their families, and the care team at my agency.”
CADDCT / CDCM Combo Class
LIVE ONLINE:
April 24, 2024- 7:30 AM- 7:30 PM CENTRAL TIME
April 25, 2024- 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM CENTRAL TIME
Interested in taking the next step in your career and become certified to teach our nationally recognized
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care seminar? This seminar is a requirement to apply for the Certified
Dementia Practitioner certification. Additionally, the Certified Dementia Care Manager certification is
designed for those who oversee a dementia unit. By taking this course, you can make a positive
difference in the lives of those affected by cognitive decline. Join our next CADDCT/CDCM combo class
and become a certified professional in dementia care!
Last Day to Register is April 17th!
Are you a First Responder?
Take our Live First Responder Dementia Seminar on June 5, 2024
The Certified First Responder – Dementia Trained certification (CFR-DT) is recommended for First Responders, Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, EMT, Prison and Corrections Personnel, Emergency Response Teams, National Security/TSA, Red Cross and Salvation Army Volunteers and all others who respond as front line rescue and support workers.
This version of the NCCDP Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Care Seminar is designed for First Responders and open to all individuals interested in furthering their dementia education. This seminar is also the required ‘live’ seminar for those individuals who would like to pursue certification as a Certified First Responder – Dementia Trained (CFR-DT).
REGISTER FOR OUR APRIL & MAY WEBINARS
THE IMPACT AND EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT OF CAREGIVING
Please join us and our guest speaker, VP of Corporate Training Danielle Micale, CDP, CADDCT for this virtual interactive session! Danielle will share her experience as both a personal and professional caregiver. She will explore the statistics and consequences of accepting the role of caregiver, both personally and professionally. Strategies will be reviewed to better address and manage the responsibilities, while discussing specific tools in managing stress levels. Just in time for Stress Awareness Month!
- Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
- Time: Eastern Time 12:00pm – 1:30pm
- Location: Live-Online (Zoom login provided in registration confirmation email)
- Price: $35.00
- CEU’s: 1.5 hours approved for NCCDP certification renewals
EFFECTIVELY CONNECT AND ENGAGE WITH PERSONS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA
Join our Director of Education, Denise Scruggs, as she presents this live, interactive webinar! In this program, we will explore the different methods of communication, including verbal, non-verbal, behavioral, and visual communication. We will offer practical strategies for using each type of communication to effectively connect with and engage persons with dementia.
- Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2024
- Time: Eastern Time 12:00pm – 1:30pm
- Location: Live-Online (Zoom login provided in registration confirmation email)
- Price: $35.00
- CEU’s: 1.5 hours approved for NCCDP certification renewals
Upcoming Seminars:
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care (ADDC) Seminar:
Tuesday, April 30: ONLINE- Central Time Click HERE To Register!
Tuesday, May 14: ONLINE- Central Time Click HERE to Register!
Tuesday, May 21: ONLINE- Eastern Time Click HERE to Register!
Thursday, May 23: ONLINE- Pacific Time Click HERE to Register!
Friday, May 31: IN-PERSON, Philadelphia PA Click HERE to Register!
Tuesday, June 11: ONLINE- Eastern Time Click HERE to Register!
Thursday, June 13: ONLINE- Mountain Time Click HERE to Register!
Tuesday, June 25: ONLINE- Central Time Click HERE to Register!
Montessori Concepts in Dementia Care Seminar:
Thursday, August 8: ONLINE- Eastern Time Click HERE To Register!
Tuesday, November 12: ONLINE- Eastern Time Click HERE To Register!
First Responder Dementia Seminar:
Wednesday, June 5th: ONLINE- Central Time Click HERE to Register!
Interested in Certification?
Certified Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care Trainer (CADDCT)
As a Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer (CADDCT®), you will be certified to present our comprehensive Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care (ADDC) curriculum to professionals across multiple industries within the geriatric healthcare industry.
Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)
This certification is open to all healthcare professionals, front-line staff, clergy, and other medical professionals who work in and around the geriatric healthcare industry and have at least one full year of paid experience.
Healthcare Observances January 2024
- Occupational Therapy Month
- National Minority Health Month
- Parkinson’s Awareness Month
- Medicaid Awareness Month
- National Public Health Week- April 1st 7th, 2024
- Volunteer Week- April 14th-20th, 2024
- April 7, 2024 – World Health Day
- April 28, 2024 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work April
April 28th is National Superhero Day!
Celebrate your favorite superhero from a book, movie, TV show- or your favorite real-life superhero!
Our CEO, Patrick, said his favorite superhero is Luke Skywalker. Melanie, our Director of Group Membership Services, prefers Wonder Woman!
