Older Adult SIG - Dementia: Not a Normal Part of Aging

Date and Time: March 24, 2025, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Chairperson: Laurie Cecchi, OT

Location:  Zoom - to be sent out day before the event

Title: Dementia:  Not a Normal Part of Aging

Speaker: Laurie Cecchi, OT

Learning Objectives: 

1. Review Dementia and Causes of Dementia
2. Review Symptoms of Dementia and Associated Behaviors
3. Review Stages of Dementia and Interventions with a Focus on Stages 4-6

Bio/Focus: 

Laurie Cecchi, OT, OTR, CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist), CDCS (Certified Dementia Care Specialist) is a highly respected dementia specialist with 35 years of experience in clinical practice. With a strong passion for improving the quality of life for individuals affected by dementia, Laurie has dedicated her career to advancing knowledge, care practices, and policy changes in this critical area. Laurie is currently a full time professor at Springfield Technical Community College in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program. Prior to her employment at STCC, she worked for more than a decade on the national clinical practice team for Genesis Rehab Services, serving as the Massachusetts dementia consultant for more than 20 facilities throughout the state. Laurie has been a featured speaker at both national and state conferences where she has shared insights on aging in place with individuals living with dementia, effective therapeutic approaches, and early identification.   

References:

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/difference-between-dementia-and-alzheimer-s

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lewy-body-dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352025

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lewy-body-dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352025

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10-steps

https://www.alzheimers.gov/life-with-dementia/tips-caregivers

https://www.alz.org/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6858232/

https://dementiapathways.ie/_filecache/04a/ddd/98-painad.pdf

https://www.alz.org/blog/alz/february_2012/caregivers_take_note_%E2%80%93_music_as_therapy

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7116251/

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/types-of-dementia/dementia-with-lewy-bodies

https://www.ucsfhealth.org/conditions/frontotemporal-dementia/symptoms#:~:text=With%20FTD%2C%20unusual%20or%20antisocial,muscle%20weakness%20or%20difficulty%20swallowing.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vascular-dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20378793