Did you know that physical environment can play a significant role in allowing dementia patients to thrive?
Memory care communities carefully consider implementation of environmental design elements, including camouflaging and controlling potentially dangerous exits. Providing personal and private spaces, decorating distinct areas of common spaces and creating safe and therapeutic gardens are among the actions that can have a real impact.
Learn More About Dementia
This spring and summer, you can delve into the issues surrounding dementia by attending the BridgeHaven Learning Series: Alzheimer’s & Related Dementia. The series, presented by Elder Care Alliance, features four presentations that fall under the theme “Engaging hearts, transforming lives, erasing boundaries.”
The series is presented by Memory Care Specialist Sean Caulfield of Elder Care Alliance. Caulfield previously presented at the UK Arts & Dementia Symposium at St. Hilda’s College and the 2014 National Center for Creative Aging Conference in Washington, D.C. He holds a B.A. in psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and he earned his master’s in education from the Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
All presentations take place at the Doelger Center, 101 Lake Merced Blvd., Daly City, Calif., 94015, and are sponsored by AlmaVia of San Francisco.
- Thursday, April 20, 2-3:30 p.m. — Dementia: An Introduction. This session reviews information including how dementia impacts the brain, the different types of dementia, recent trends in research and local resources.
- Thursday, May 18, 2-3:30 p.m. — Dementia: Communication Techniques. In this session, you’ll learn communication methods specific to dementia to connect emotionally with your loved one and deal with challenging behavior.
- Thursday, June 1, 2-3:30 p.m. — Dementia, Art & Creativity. Individuals with dementia often express themselves effectively through participation in the arts. In this session, you’ll hear about case studies involving sculpture, poetry, painting and other forms of creative expression.
- Thursday, July 20, 2-3:30 p.m. — Creating a Dementia-Inclusive Society. How can community members — including business owners, representatives of civic agencies and other citizens — make changes that assist people with dementia in becoming more socially engaged?
Seating at the sessions is limited. To attend, please contact Sean Caulfield, memory care specialist, at 510-769-2743 or SCaulfield@ElderCareAlliance.org.
For more information about how memory care services can help your loved one with dementia, please contact AlmaVia of San Francisco.
