2018 Spring Alzheimer’s Mini-Conference

Keys to Communication

Date:   Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Location:  St. Xavier University, Orland Park, Illinois

OR

Date:   Thursday, May 17, 2018

Location:  University of Illinois BIS, Naperville, Illinois

Time:  8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Registration begins at 8:00 a.m.

This innovative educational event offers creative insight, tools and resources to help professionals address the needs of persons with Alzheimer’s disease and different dementia types with special emphasis on key approaches to whole person care. Join us for a fun and interactive agenda to gain the most current information on key strategies for communication with respect to a person’s background, culture, sexual orientation and unspoken preferences. Upon completion of this program, you should be able to:

• • Identify  effective communication approaches to important verbal and non-verbal ques for attention.
  • Recognize activities that will enhance or maintain function of persons with Alzheimer’s disease in any setting.
  • Discuss practical evidence-based techniques to increase cognition and social engagement.
  • Outline the unique needs of LGBTQ persons with Alzheimer’s/dementia.
  • Describe the ways of integrating communication training in any settings.

Faculty:

Melanie Adams, MA, is the Director of Education & Outreach for the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter. She holds a masters degree in Organizational Leadership and a bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation. Ms. Adams has steadily progressed in her career beginning as a direct care worker to that of a consultant and manager of talent for the Greater IL Chapter’s education team.  She has published several articles on living with a disease or disability, accepting everyone’s ability level, and supporting caregivers and honoring choice.  During the past ten years, Ms. Adams has trained both professionals and families facing memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease and has been a valuable resource to her community. As a team leader across Greater Illinois, she motivates and empowers her team and volunteers to deliver quality education and awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.

Rachelle Blough, CRT, CDP, CADDT, is a national teaching and practice consultant in the dementia field. Rachelle is a Certified Recreational Therapist, a Certified Dementia Practitioner and a Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer for the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP).  She previously served as in various capacities in memory care organizations, most recently Vice President of Life Enrichment and Innovation in a growing assisted living company, creating and standardizing care approaches and training programs.  Rachelle is passionate about teaching and has shared her vast knowledge regarding memory care and life enrichment to over 1000 participants in various classrooms and conferences, engaging participants to share their own stories and experiences in a manner that is fun and approachable.

Jeannine Forrest, BSN, MS, PhD, is the President & CEO of Through the Forrest, LLC providing consultation and training in Alzheimer’s and dementia concerns.  She served as faculty member of UIC and Rush University, and is widely known as an expert in dementia, palliative and end-of-life care.  Dr. Forrest has over 30 years research and clinical practice experience in managing the effects of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, working with families, nursing homes, hospices and the corporate sector.  Dr. Forrest has combined a passionate belief that dementia and end-of-life care should enrich wellbeing with a deep reliance on state-of-the-art research in pain management and dementia care. Through extensive consulting, she builds compassion and dignity into dementia-care programs nationally and internationally and helpsfamilies understand their loved one’s needs from the inside out.  Her clinical practice and academic research has touched the lives of thousands of people.

Terri Maxeiner, BSN, RN, CECM, CDP, is the founder of Bridge Care Consulting, Inc., an eldercare consulting and care management firm in Frankfort, Il. Terri has been in the geriatric nursing field for over 25 years.   She has many years’ experience as a nurse educator/liaison and community care manager with a large organization that is committed to the care of the aged. Terri received her ADN degree from Prairie State College and BSN degree for Governors State University.  She is Certified Elder Care Manager and is also Certified Dementia Practitioner.  Terri maintains an active membership with the National Association of Geriatric Care Nurses, National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners, and a professional member of the Aging Life Care Association.

Conflict of Interest Policy Statement:   Faculty participating in this program are expected to disclose to the program audience any real or apparent conflict(s) or unlabeled use related to the content of their presentations.