Program

The New England Conference for Dementia Care Professionals offers the most up-to-date information and recommendations, with a keynote, three tracks, and a closing session. Registrants will receive a full recording of each session post conference.

Session Recordings

Recordings are available to all conference registrants. Recordings are passcode protected. If you have questions, please contact Lorraine Kermond at lkermond@alz.org.

Mon, April 4th: Keynote
Important Considerations Regarding Psychosocial/Environmental Care Practices to Reduce Behavioral Expressions of Persons with Dementia (Sheryl Zimmerman)


Tue, April 5th: Advancing Research Track
Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis: Impact on Cognitive Functioning and Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology (John Haran) Depression and Apathy: Early Signs of Cognitive and Brain Changes in Older Adults (Kevin J. Manning)
Wed, April 6th: Activities and Meaningful Engagement Track
Horticultural Therapy: When Life Gives You Lemons (Jeff Eleveld) Be Your Own Man: Dementia-Inclusive Activities for Men (Catherine Livingstone)
Thu, April 7th: Differentiating Dementias: Diagnosis, Treatment and Care Approaches Track
Getting the Diagnosis: Why It’s Important (Carolyn Fredericks) Treatments and Care Approaches Panel (Katherine Amodeo, Carolyn Fredericks, Katie Brandt)
Fri, April 8th: Closing Session
A Neuroscience Guide for Thriving in Uncertain Times: Principles for Hope and Happiness (Jack Paul Gesino)

Syllabi and Handouts

Mon, April 4th: Keynote
Important Considerations Regarding Psychosocial/Environmental Care Practices to Reduce Behavioral Expressions of Persons with Dementia (Sheryl Zimmerman)


Tue, April 5th: Advancing Research Track
Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis: Impact on Cognitive Functioning and Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology (John Haran) Depression and Apathy: Early Signs of Cognitive and Brain Changes in Older Adults (Kevin J. Manning)
Wed, April 6th: Activities and Meaningful Engagement Track
Horticultural Therapy: When Life Gives You Lemons (Jeff Eleveld) Be Your Own Man: Dementia-Inclusive Activities for Men (Catherine Livingstone)
Thu, April 7th: Differentiating Dementias: Diagnosis, Treatment and Care Approaches Track
Getting the Diagnosis: Why It’s Important (Carolyn Fredericks) Treatments and Care Approaches Panel (Katherine Amodeo, Carolyn Fredericks, Katie Brandt)
Fri, April 8th: Closing Session
A Neuroscience Guide for Thriving in Uncertain Times: Principles for Hope and Happiness (Jack Paul Gesino)

Overall Schedule of Events

Time Session Details
Mon, Apr 4 Keynote: Important Considerations Regarding Psychosocial/Environmental Care Practices to Reduce Behavioral Expressions of Persons with Dementia
Tue, Apr 5 Track: Advancing Research
Wed, Apr 6 Track: Activities and Meaningful Engagement
Thu, Apr 7 Track: Differentiating Dementias: Diagnosis, Treatment and Care Approaches
Fri, Apr 8 Closing Session: A Neuroscience Guide for Thriving in Uncertain Times: Principles for Hope and Happiness

Session Descriptions

Topic Outline:

Keynote - April 4

Keynote: Important Considerations Regarding Psychosocial/Environmental Care Practices to Reduce Behavioral Expressions of Persons with Dementia

Monday, April 4, 10:00 - 11:30 AM EST

Presented by Sheryl Zimmerman, PhD

This session will provide participants a general understanding of behavioral expressions of persons with dementia including what they are, what triggers them, and strategies to help prevent, and manage them. A range of evidence-based nonpharmacological practices to address these behaviors will be discussed, including how to employ the practices and special considerations related to their feasibility. Panelists will provide examples of how they have implemented best practices to understand behavioral expressions, and strategies to bring about sustainable person-centered culture change at their workplace. Attendees will receive a “How To Manual” to take back to their workplace.

Track - Advancing Research - April 5

Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis: Impact on Cognitive Functioning and Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology

Tuesday, 4/5 | 9:00 - 10:15 AM ET

Presented by: John Haran, MD, PhD

This workshop will provide participants with a general understanding of the microbiome sciences and ways in which we can interrogate this complex ecosystem among patients. It will also provide insights into novel medical microbiome therapeutic design aimed at slowing the rate of neurocognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease via a mechanism that includes inflammaging and immunosenescence. Research from assisted living and community based participants will be discussed.

Break & Sponsor Highlights

Tuesday, 4/5 | 10:15 - 10:30 AM ET

A fifteen minute break, including highlights from our sponsors.

Depression and Apathy: Early Signs of Cognitive and Brain Changes in Older Adults

Tuesday, 4/5 | 10:30 - 11:45 AM ET

Presented by: Kevin J. Manning, PhD

There is evidence indicating depression and apathy are some of the earliest behavioral markers of cognitive and brain changes in older adults. Participants will gain an appreciation of how apathy and depression become more prevalent as clinical dementia progresses and be able to identify the accompanying neurobiological changes. Discussion will also include the current treatment recommendations for apathy and depression in later life.

Track - Activities & Meaningful Engagement - April 6

Horticultural Therapy: When Life Gives You Lemons

Wednesday, 4/6 | 9:00 - 10:15 AM ET

Presented by: Jeff Eleveld, Horticultural Therapist

Join us for an exciting horticulture experience with Jeff the plant guy. Experience first hand therapeutic horticulture and the special connection between people and plants. Learn about the physical, social, psychological and cognitive benefits of horticultural therapy and its use with individuals living with dementia. Enjoy the experiential activity of harvesting lemon seeds from the fruit while learning about its interesting history and benefits of sensory engagement. Take back to your workplace a list of horticultural activities to share with your clients and residents.

Break & Sponsor Highlights

Wednesday, 4/6 | 10:15 - 10:30 AM ET

A fifteen minute break, including highlights from our sponsors.

Be Your Own Man: Dementia-Inclusive Activities for Men

Wednesday, 4/6 | 10:30 - 11:45 AM ET

Presented by: Catherine Livingstone, MA, CDCP

This workshop will provide participants an opportunity to learn how engagement and socializing experiences can differ for men and women living with dementia. The various impacts of socially-constructed masculine identities will be explored, as they relate to recreation and care goals. Participants will get practical insights into how to implement successful engagement activities for men in a culturally safe way, both at home and in care communities. Case studies will be presented to illustrate how programs can be adapted to improve quality of life based on unique, gendered life narratives.

Track - Differentiating Dementias: Diagnosis, Treatment and Care Approaches - April 7

Getting the Diagnosis: Why It’s Important

Thursday, 4/7 | 9:00 - 10:15 AM ET

Presented by: Carolyn Fredericks, MD

This session will provide an overview of the spectrum of dementia diagnoses, including Lewy Body dementia, Frontotemporal dementia, Post Cortical Atrophy, and less common Alzheimer’s variants. Discussion will include common techniques cognitive neurologists and other memory providers use to make the diagnosis in these cases and review some examples of why it is important to get a diagnosis. 

Break & Sponsor Highlights

Thursday, 4/7 | 10:15 - 10:30 AM ET

A fifteen minute break, including highlights from our sponsors.

Treatments and Care Approaches Panel

Thursday, 4/7 | 10:30 - 11:45 AM ET

Presented by: Katherine Amodeo, MD; Carolyn Fredericks, MD; Katie Brandt, MM

This panel discussion will provide the participant with the understanding on the approach to management, treatments and care approaches of Lewy Body dementia, Frontotemporal dementia, Post Cortical Atrophy, and less common Alzheimer’s variants. Hear first hand from experts, best practices and techniques you can bring back to your workplace.

Closing Session - April 8

Closing Session: A Neuroscience Guide for Thriving in Uncertain Times: Principles for Hope and Happiness

Friday, 4/8 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM ET

Presented by Jack Paul Gesino, DSW, LCSW

We live in unprecedented times, and the stress and challenges dementia care professionals experience during this pandemic is unfathomable. This presentation will examine how the demands of the modern environment and workplace have met and exceeded the limits of the biological brain. Understanding the neurobiology of stress and its consequences is imperative. Learn the ways in which such neurobiological interventions, such as, practicing gratitude, savoring, kindness, awe, and the psychology of possibility can literally rewire the brain towards experiencing positive emotions and a renewed sense of hope and happiness.