Dementia Care Digest

 

 Official newsletter of the

Alzheimer's Foundation of America's

Dementia Care Professionals of America division

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October 2015/Issue 15
A Message from AFA's
Deputy Director, Educational Services
Fall is upon us! Along with the many pleasures of this season--cooler weather, fall foliage, and holiday traditions--it's also the beginning of flu season. As dementia care partners, it's important that we be knowledgeable about the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of seasonal influenza to ensure we are taking steps necessary to keep ourselves and the individuals with whom we work healthy. 
 
Older adults, especially those with chronic conditions,  such as diabetes, heart disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are at high risk for catching the flu due to the effects of aging on the immune system. Getting an annual flu vaccination can help prevent the development and transmission of the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that a dults younger than age 65 get t he traditional, standard-dose flu vaccine and those age 65 and older get a higher-dose flu vaccine, which was developed specifically  for this age demographic.
 
For helpful tips about the flu and vaccine options for yourself and the older adults with whom you work, visit the  National Council on Aging, CDC, and  AFA websites.


In health,

Kristen Cribbs, MPH
Deputy Director, Educational Services
AFA Happenings
SW CE's Now Available for New DCPA Training Video!
 
Social Workers are now eligible to earn 5.5 CEs by participating in DCPA's newest training video, AFA Partners in Care: Supporting Individuals Living with DementiaThis program has been approved by the National Association of Social Workers and  the NY State Education Department's State Board for Social Work . Learn more about the training video and place an order here.

Upcoming English and Spanish Support Groups
 
AFA's Social Services department will be hosting free English and Spanish telephone-based support groups this fall for family members of individuals who are living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. Facilitated by li censed social workers,  "Cuidado de Familia - Salud Cerebral" begins October 7, and "Long Distance Caregiving" begins November 3. Learn more about these groups, download flyers to share with the families with whom you work, and register here.
In the News
  • "The New York Times" discusses the shortage of geriatricians in the U.S. and implications for an aging population.
  • A recent NPR segment explores the challenge of discussing death as Alzheimer's disease progresses.
  • The growing need for supportive community-based services to support aging in place is illuminated in a piece by "The Wall Street Journal."
Continuing Education
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With the continual aging of the global population, the number of individuals age 65 years and older in need of long term care (LTC) is projected to increase significantly during the coming decades. A seminal report, released during late September by the International Labour Organization (ILO), titled, "Long-term care protection for older persons: A review of coverage deficits in 46 countries," examines LTC protections and deficits in 46 developing and developed countries. 

Read the full ILO report here and take the corresponding Dementia Care Digest quiz to earn
one Continuing Education Unit (CEU)*.  
 
*Professionals who are sanctioned as AFA Certified Dementia Care Partners must renew their credential every year by obtaining eight 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.
 
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