Longtree & Associates Stresses Importance of Quality Training in Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care as Prevalence of Disease Rises, Announces Fall Dementia Workshop
Middletown, NJ (PRWEB) August 08, 2013 -- Longtree & Associates, a long-term care education and seminar company, notes that with the rising population of patients suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, the need for skilled caregivers is also increasing rapidly. To help meet the demand for improved staff training and certified dementia caregivers, the company is offering its Comprehensive Alzheimer/Dementia seminar on Thursday, September 5, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The seven-hour course will be held at Wexford Assisted Living, 2018 Highway 35 in Spring Lake, N.J.
The Comprehensive Alzheimer/Dementia seminar will be taught by certified trainer Barbara Rimorin, CALA, CDP of Dementia Associates, LLC, a Longtree education partner. Completion of the course provides seven continuing education credits for registered nurses, certified assisted living administrators, licensed nursing home administrators, social workers, activity directors, and nursing aides. It is required for those seeking certification as a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and is approved by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP). The State of New Jersey requires all health care employees to take six hours of training each year in the area of dementia/Alzheimer’s disease.
Dementia is the loss of mental functioning that causes deficits in memory, language, learning ability, judgment, and orientation. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for nearly two-thirds of all dementia cases. According to the Alzheimer’s Association website:
• Approximately 5.2 million Americans currently have Alzheimer’s disease—an estimated 5 million of those are age 65 and older.
• Patients could live an average of eight years; some have lived as long as 20 years.
• By 2025, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer's disease is estimated to reach 7.1 million—a 40 percent increase from current figures.
• Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
• 33 percent of all seniors die with Alzheimer's or another dementia.
• In 2013, Alzheimer's will cost the nation $203 billion. This number is expected to rise to $1.2 trillion by 2050.
Patrick Loughney, president of Longtree & Associates, noted that the incidence of dementia and the advancing age of the American population, especially of those in assisted living or memory care facilities go hand-in-hand; this has created an urgent need for high-quality training in this area of health care which provides an excellent career path. Longtree & Associates is offering a partial scholarship and two full scholarships to qualified applicants.
“The New Jersey Department of Senior Services states that the average age of a person in an assisted living facility is 87 years old. Plus, over 50 percent of adults age 85 and older will have some form of memory loss. Therefore, there is a high need for this type of training,” said Loughney. He added that studies have shown that properly trained personnel and creative community life programs have resulted in a decrease of aggressive behaviors, fearfulness, and anxiety for the person with dementia.
The course will cover the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of Alzheimer’s dementia; aspects of the disease in terms of affect and behavior; caring for the Alzheimer’s patient, from activities to daily care; and caregiver support. Trainer Rimorin will also cover some creative modalities for dementia care such as aromatherapy, guided imagery, music and pet therapy, and boxes filled with familiar items to help relieve anxiety. Each attendee will receive a special lavender gift as part of the aromatherapy session.
The fee for the Comprehensive Alzheimer/Dementia course is $185.00 and includes a complete resource manual and seven CE credits. To register, call (732) 757-9955 or email longtreena[at]aol[dot]com. Corporate checks or money orders only are accepted for payment; please mail to Longtree & Associates, 45 Pacific Avenue, Middletown, N.J. 07748. For more information about all the courses offered by Longtree, visit dot com find Longtree Education on Facebook.
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About Longtree & Associates
Longtree & Associates in Middletown, New Jersey specializes in educational seminars and workshops for those in the long-term care and elder care fields. Its courses provide continuing education credits, critical training, and recognized certifications for healthcare professionals and managers, and employees seeking to enhance their skills in long-term care, assisted living and nursing facilities, retirement communities, and hospitals. Courses are available year-round for registered nurses, nursing aides, certified assisted living administrators, licensed nursing home administrators, social workers, and activity directors. The company’s curricula meet all training requirements established by the State of New Jersey. For more information or a complete listing of available courses offered by Longtree & Associates, visit http://www.dot)njcala(dot)com or call (732) 757-9955.
Maria Paladino-Fitz, Media Consultants, http://www.MyMediaConsultants.com, 973-931-4111, [email protected]
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