GSHA is excited to invite you to our October Live Webinar where you can earn 0.2 ASHA CEUs, Intermediate Level

Compassionate Caregiving for Dementia: Strategies and Support
Presented by Renee Garrett MSEd, CCC-SLP CBIS
Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 6:00PM-8:00PM ET via Zoom

$25 for Non-Members, Complimentary for GSHA Members
No code necessary, just log in!

Abstract
Caregiving for patients/loved ones with dementia provides both joys and challenges. Practical skills caregivers need empower them to support individuals living with dementia. However, many of these skills are not inherent knowledge. Defining stress, symptoms of stress and short-term vs. long-term caregiving across the lifespan is integral for SLPs to understand their role in treatment. Understanding the cognitive, emotional and behavioral challenges that often accompany dementia provides guidance for effective communication strategies, techniques for managing challenging behaviors and providing person-centered care. Signs of caregiver burnout differ from stress associated with caregiving. Somatic and psychological symptoms also vary depending on the length of time spent as a caregiver. Counseling and supportive care provides caregivers and our patients/clients with the tools they need to obtain community support, seek additional treatment, and identify respite care options.

Learning Objectives
As a result of this course, participants will be able to:
• Describe the stages of dementia and recognize the cognitive, emotional and behavioral challenges accompanying each stage.
• Utilize effective communication techniques to improve interactions with individuals with dementia.
• Support caregiver well-being by integrating evidence-based practices into daily routines to enhance the quality of life for caregivers and individuals with dementia.

Time Ordered Agenda
6:00 pm-6:10 pm: Introduction
6:10 pm-6:40 pm: Overview of the stages of dementia
6:40 pm -7:20 pm: The many roles of the caregiver
7:20 pm -7:40 pm: The roles of the SLP in providing support/therapy
7:40 pm -7:50 pm: Interactive Goal-Setting
7:50 pm -8:00 pm: Questions /Wrap Up

Disclosures
• Financial: I am a paid employee of a private consulting firm in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As the host of Brainstorms: Functional Neurorehab for SLPs and other webinars, I receive financial reimbursement from SpeechTherapyPD.com. I am an adjunct instructor for both James Madison University and Old Dominion University.
• Non-financial: I am a former president of the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia. I also serve as the secretary for the Communication Disorders Foundation of Virginia.

Biography
Renee Garrett is a native of Hampton Roads, VA. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science and her Master of Science in Education from Old Dominion University. She worked in inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient settings, assisted living, and acute care hospitals, serving adults across the lifespan with dysphagia and a variety of communication and cognitive disorders. Renee has a special interest in cognitive retraining post-TBI. She holds certification as a certified brain injury specialist (CBIS) from the Brain Injury Association of America and is active in educating families, friends and patients about dysphagia, communication, and cognitive disorders. She is the host of the podcast “Brainstorms: Functional Neurorehab for SLPs” and a regular presenter on SpeechTherapyPD.com and other conferences including the American Speech Language Hearing Association Convention. Renee serves as adjunct faculty for both James Madison University and Old Dominion University. She served the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia in various roles including president. She currently serves as the secretary for the Communication Disorders Foundation of Virginia. Renee received the honor of Darden Fellow from Old Dominion University’s Darden College of Education and Professional Studies in 2023. She received the honor of SHAV Fellow from the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia in 2024.