A program entitled “Dementia Does Not Define Me” will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at FOX Rehabilitation in Cherry Hill.
Jennifer Fitzpatrick will address the issues of communicating with people suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease as the guest speaker at “Dementia Does Not Define Me.” This program will take place on Friday, May 12 from 9 to 11 a.m. at FOX Rehabilitation, 7 Carnegie Plaza, in Cherry Hill. It is part of the second annual symposium focused on the needs of those diagnosed with early stages of dementia and their caregivers.
Fitzpatrick is the owner of Jenerations Health and author of “Cruising Through Caregiving: Reducing The Stress Of Caring For Your Loved One.” Her book was named one of Caring.com’s Top Books of 2016. She will teach attendees the tools needed to communicate with their loved ones who have memory loss and she will help increase understanding between caregivers and their patients. “Dementia Does Not Define Me” is presented by Rothkoff Law Group, along with four other elder care organizations.
Fitzpatrick has over 20 years experience in healthcare and gerontology and believes that proper communication is vital.
“When someone in your family is sick, most of the time they can tell you how they’re feeling and what they want. Unfortunately, when someone has dementia, that ability to tell you what they need goes away,” she said. “When families better understand how to communicate with their loved ones with dementia and Alzheimer’s, their loved one gets better care. They’re able to give them what they need.”
Fitzpatrick will explain why body language and facial expression are important when a caregiver communicates with a dementia patient. She will also help people learn how to reduce aggressive behavior in a dementia patient and how to prevent it. She stresses that when the caregiver has a lot of help, whether paid or unpaid, it will help them be a better communicator with the person with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Light refreshments will be served during the event. For more information and to RSVP, contact Andrew Dubler at (856) 321–1500.
