Throughout April, Pleasant View Communities, 544 N. Penryn Road, Manheim, will host a series of seminars titled "Navigating the Day" to help educate and support caregivers of those with dementia while sharing strategies and techniques to make each day the best possible day for all. Each seminar will be presented by Lori Dierolf, president of Open Door Training and Development. Attendees are welcome to attend any or all of the seminars, all of which will take place in Hoffer Auditorium at Pleasant View.
"A Dementia Simulation: Putting Yourself in Their Shoes" will be offered on Tuesday, April 16, at 6 p.m. Attendees will experience first-hand what it might be like to have dementia. The simulated experience is designed to change people's understanding of the disease and help them become more compassionate caregivers as they adapt their own behaviors.
On Thursday, April 18, at 6 p.m., "A Gift of Music in Dementia Care" will focus on the positive influence music can bring and how to use new understandings of music and its effects on people's brains to improve a person's quality of life.
"Communication and Dementia: Understanding and Being Understood" will be offered on Tuesday, April 23, at 6 p.m. As dementia or Alzheimer's disease progresses, an individual's ability to understand also changes. Specific skills and techniques for better communication, both verbal and nonverbal, will be shared.
On Thursday, April 25, at 6 p.m., "Decoding the Challenging Behaviors of Dementia" will be offered. Attendees will learn about ways to respond to and effectively deal with negative behaviors, such as aggressiveness and violence, that can stem from the anger, confusion, fear, sadness, and paranoia that a person living with dementia can experience.
There is no fee to attend any session of the Navigating the Day series. Preregistration is requested by contacting Karly Sarvis at 717-664-6666 or KSarvis@pleasantviewrc.org.
For more information about Pleasant View, readers may call 717-665-2445 or visit http://www.PleasantViewrc.org.
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