The Berkshire Alzheimer’s Partnership is honored to be hosting Teepa Snow, the founder of Positive Approach to Care. Her person-centered philosophy is revolutionizing how people understand and support individuals with dementia.

This in-depth intensive workshop will help learners use effective strategies for helping people living with dementia or other forms of brain change during interactions, care delivery, and daily engagement. The session will first improve the learner’s understanding of the brain changes that occur during the process of dementia with an emphasis on empathy and understanding of the condition. It will then assist learners in developing verbal and nonverbal techniques to improve communication with those living with dementia. The session will also help learners recognize and intervene effectively when behavioral challenges occur by emphasizing the value of matching helping behaviors to the person’s needs and retained abilities to promote a sense of control and self-direction. Modifying the task demands, the environment, and the caregiver’s approach are three key elements to improving challenging situations. These three elements combined with knowledge of the individual’s background and life story, medical, psychological, and sensory conditions, and level of cognitive function will form the base for problem solving and personalized care planning. Additionally, the session will help learners focus on carefully monitoring people with cognitive impairment for signs and signals of ‘unmet needs’ in order to intervene early and often. This effort to create a positive and caring environment rather than ‘dealing with the behavior’ after it is established will be promoted as a more effective model.

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This program does not qualify for NBCC credit