Camden Maine Clergy
Families who are dealing with Alzheimer's disease often look first to their pastor, priest or rabbi for information and support. The Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter offers regional conferences and training for clergy members, lay leaders and lay visitors.Topics include:
- Overview of Alzheimer's disease
- Communication and visiting tips
- Family caregiver panel: What do families want from their faith communities?
- Presentation to the congregation
Hospital Staff
People with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias face all the usual physical and psychological challenges of hospitalization. In addition, being in unfamiliar surroundings and with unfamiliar caregivers may produce anxiety (Why am I here?), fear (Who are these people and what are they doing to me?), or combativeness (Don't touch me!). The person is unable to adapt to these new surroundings and is unable to use a call button, find the bathroom, or follow directions from staff. This workshop will offer practical tips for successfully working with a hospital-based dementia population. |
Emergency Responders
One to three hour programs for law enforcement and emergency medical staff to help them respond effectively to calls concerning persons with dementia are available from the Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter. Typical encounters include search and rescue for lost or missing elders, incidents of erratic driving, medical transport and calls for help from caregivers who become frightened when the person in their care exhibits difficult behavior.Topcs include:
- Overview of the disease process
- Recognizing a person with dementia
- Ways in which dementia affects perception
- Communcation tips
- Safe Return, the nationwide registry for the identification, location and return to safety for persons who wander
- Community resources
