Dementia Care Digest

 

 Official newsletter of the

Alzheimer's Foundation of America's

Dementia Care Professionals of America division
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August 2015/Issue 13
A Message from AFA's
Deputy Director, Educational Services
Like the rest of our bodies, as we age, our brains change. In order to age healthfully, it's therefore important that we take care of our minds as well as our bodies. Similarly to standard screening procedures that monitor blood pressure and cholesterol, memory screenings are safe and simple check-ups for the brain. While results from a memory screening are not representative of a diagnosis of any illness, they are a great conversation starter and first step in encouraging a loved one or individual with whom you work who is experiencing memory issues to discuss their concerns with a health care provider. 

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America's (AFA) National Memory Screening Program (NMSP) focuses on raising awareness of healthy aging and brain health as well as decreasing stigma associated with memory impairment and dementia. Check out the NMSP website to learn more about the initiative, find a local screening site, or register your organization to become a memory screening site. If you reside in the NY-area, AFA is now offering free, confidential memory screenings at our headquarters. Learn more here.

For questions or information about NMSP, please contact us.

 

In health,

Kristen Cribbs, MPH
Deputy Director, Educational Services
On the Job: Tips for Providing Optimal Care
White House Launches Aging.gov 

 

As part of the 2015 White House Conference on Aging, which took place last month, the White House has launched Aging.gov. The site links visitors to information on Federal and local services related to healthy aging, elder justice, long-term care, Social Security, and Medicare. 

 

AGS to Host Webinar Series on Working with Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease

 

The American Geriatrics Society, in collaboration with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, The Lewin Group, and Community Catalyst, is hosting a webinar series titled, "Geriatric-Competent Care-Caring for Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease" this August. The first webinar, "Presentation and Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease," will take place on August 5 from 12 to 1:30 pm ET, and the second webinar, "After the Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease: Preparing the Patient and Caregivers," will take place on August 12 from 12 to 1:30 pm ET.  Register for the webinars here. 
In the News
  • An article in "Newsweek" explores how a recent Medicare announcement that providers will be reimbursed for time spent counseling patients on end-of-life decisions may usher in a new national standard of end-of-life care. 
  • The "Wall Street Journal" discusses a new Medicare pilot that will expand access to beneficiaries by allowing them to receive curative treatments alongside comfort care. 
  • A "New York Times" piece illuminates a growing movement to secure protections for domestic workers, including caregivers. 
Continuing Education

Last month, the Older Americans Act (OAA), which provides critical services and supports for millions of older Americans, marked its 50th anniversary. Around this time, the Senate passed the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2015 (S.192), which allows Congress to update and improve the law's vital programs and services. The House of Representatives is now being encouraged to do the same to safeguard OAA services for vulnerable older adults. Currently, more than 12 million individuals--including many who are living with dementia--rely on OAA services. 

 

Become familiar with key provisions of the OAA in the attached brief and then take the corresponding Dementia Care Digest quiz to earn one Continuing Education Unit (CEU)*. 


 

*Professionals who are sanctioned as AFA Qualified Dementia Care Providers or AFA Qualified Dementia Care Specialists must renew their AFA qualification every two years by obtaining four CEUs.

 

Every hour of continuing education equals one credit. 30 minutes of content equals 0.5 credits. A program of less than 30 minutes in total is not applicable, and all intervals of less than 30 minutes are rounded down to the nearest 30-minute mark.

Completion of each Dementia Care Digest quiz equals one CEU.

 
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