SAGE Offers Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Classes

The following information was provided by SAGE Eldercare.

This spring and fall, SAGE Eldercare is offering caregivers an educational series of courses, “Alzheimer’s / Dementia Care Series,” specifically aimed at those caregivers who care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia.

The courses will be led by SAGE employees, Ellisa Lee, RN, BS, CDP, HomeCare Director of Nursing, and Deanna Butters, MAOM, CDP, Director of Spend-A-Day Adult Day Health Center, who have both received their Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) certification from the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP).

Three sessions will be held in the spring on April 24, May 29 and June 26 and another three sessions will be held this fall, dates to be determined.

The first course on Wednesday, April 24 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm will focus on “Communication – Diversity and Cultural Competence.”  The discussion will focus on the different ways to communicate with someone who has dementia and explore the challenges that diversity and culture pose when caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

On Wednesday, May 29, the topic will be “Personal Care.”  This session will specifically focus on personal care and the many activities of daily living that can be difficult to manage when you care for someone with dementia.  “Aggressive Behavior, Intimacy and Sexuality” will be the session topic for Wednesday, June 29.  The triggers for certain aggressive behaviors will be discussed, in addition to possible intervention and behavior management.

Course materials will be provided for all sessions.  The cost is $10 per class; to register or for additional information, please call 908.598.5548 or email education@sageeldercare.org. 

National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP) was formed in 2001 by a group of professionals with varying work and personal experiences in the field of dementia care.  Their goal is to promote standards of excellence in dementia and Alzheimer’s education.  A CDP certification reflects a commitment on the part of the front line staff, health care professional and organization to provide a quality of care to their dementia patient(s).

SAGE Eldercare supports the independence, well-being and quality of life of older adults, their families and caregivers, through the provision of client-centered health, social and support services.  Founded in 1954, SAGE is one of the few non-profit eldercare agencies in the United States, and the oldest in New Jersey, that offers a broad and comprehensive array of services under one roof that assist elderly, often frail, adults to remain independent in their own homes.