Knowledge and Skills Needed for Dementia Care

As discussed in the latest issue of Quality Care/Quality Jobs, distributed by PHI, an updated dementia care guide has been released by the Michigan Dementia Coalition.

The guide is free to the public.

Knowledge and Skills Needed for Dementia Care: A Guide for Direct Care Workers in Everyday Language helps direct-care workers determine whether they have the skills they need to deliver person-centered dementia care. It also tells the potential Direct Care Worker where to go for assistance if they need training.

The updated version includes: an overview of the primary diseases that may cause dementia symptoms, top ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related diseases, a description of structures of the brain, and a glossary of words used in the text.

Copies (pdf) of the new version may be downloaded free from the Michigan Dementia Coalition website. For hard copies, contact Lorie Massuch at lmassuch@mphi.org or (517) 324-7320.

Just a Little Mixed Up

Cathy Price, an attendee of the conference, shared this poem:

Just a line to say I'm living,
That I'm not among the dead,
Though I'm getting more forgetful;
And more mixed up in the head.

For sometimes I can't remember
When I stand at the foot of the stairs
If I must go up for something,
Or I've just come down from there.

And before the fridge so often
My poor mind is filled with doubt,
Have I just put food away or --
Have I come to take some out?

And there's time when it's dark out,
With my night cap on my head
I don't know if I'm retiring,
Or just getting out of bed.

So, if it's my turn to write you,
There's no need in getting sore,
I may think that I have written,
And don't want to be a bore.

So, remember, I do love you,
And wish that you were here --
But now, it's nearly mail time
So I must say, "Goodbye, Dear."

There I stood beside the mailbox,
With a face so very red,
Instead of mailing you my letter
I had opened it instead!

Meeting Today and Conference

Thanks to everyone that attended last Friday's conference -- Two Hands Caring: Helping You Help Others. It was a great success. We had about 60 people in attendance. It was wonderful to see everyone in person and listen to an informative and engaging speaker: Dr. Kelly O'Shea Carney.

Today at 2:30, we will be holding our monthly meeting at the United Way building by the airport. Please feel free to stop in and join us!

Two Hands Caring Conference Tomorrow!

Thank you to everyone that registered for the Two Hands Caring Conference to be held on May 16, 2008 at the Northampton Memorial Community Center.

We are so excited to offer this opportunity to the Direct Care Workers of the Lehigh Valley!

Northampton Memorial Community Center
1601 Laubach Avenue
Northampton, PA 18067


See you tomorrow!

Raising Women's Voices Conference

With so many women working in Direct Care, it is no wonder that representatives from PHI were asked to speak at the recent Raising Women's Voices conference in Boston. Click here to read the article about their presentation.

Spaces Still Left!

Many of you have registered for our local conference, Two Hands Caring: Helping You Help Others. We still have a few spots left and the cost is only $5 per person, including breakfast and lunch. If you are interested in attending, please call Cori Rolón ASAP at
(610) 807-5742 or email her at corir@unitedwayglv.org by May 12th at the latest. We will be giving the final meal count to the venue on the 13th and cannot accept last minute registrations.

Due to funding requirements, the conference is only open to Direct Care Workers working in Lehigh or Northampton Counties.

Training will be provided by Kelly O'Shea Carney, Ph.D., CMC. Dr. Carney is a licensed psychologist and is certified as a geriatric care manager. She has over 20 years of experience in working with older adults. This program meets state requirements for dementia training under state regulations for a variety of geriatric care services. Please check the licensing regulations for your program regarding specific dementia training requirements.

Friday, May 16th, Morning Session

8:30-8:45 Registration and Breakfast
8:45-9:00 Welcome by Donna Zimmerman
9:00 – 10:30 Understanding Dementia
10:30 – 10:45 Break
10:45 – 12:15 Behavior Management with Dementia

Friday, May 16th, Afternoon Session

12:15—12:30 Afternoon Registration
12:30 —1:15 Lunch
1:15 – 2:45 Understanding Depression and Anxiety in Elders
2:45 – 3:00 Break
3:00 – 4:30 Coping With Bereavement

The Training will be held at:
Northampton Memorial Community Center
1601 Laubach Avenue
Northampton, PA 18067