Inaugural Dementia and Aging Workshop to focus on caregiving

By Stacy Lunsford
University News Service
November 10, 2014

The Department of Sociology at Texas State University will host the Dementia and Aging Seminar Series, the first of three one-day workshops, on Friday, Nov. 21, at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in San Marcos.

The Nov. 21 workshop will focus on “Caregiving and Dementia” with several speakers presenting on the following topics:

Dementia and Citizenship
9 a.m. Christopher Johnson, Ph.D., senior lecturer, sociology, Texas State

End Stage Dementia and Hospice
10 a.m. Lee McCuiston, LCSW, and Sara Taylor, MSW

Self-Care for Dementia Care Workers
11 a.m. Sally Hill Jones, Ph.D., LCSW, associate professor, social work, Texas State

Communication and Dementia: Challenges and Solutions for Caregivers
1 p.m. Valarie Fleming, Ph.D., associate professor, communication disorders, Texas State

Decreasing Falls Risk in Persons with Dementia
2 p.m. Denise Gobert, Ph.D., associate professor, physical therapy, Texas State

Transition Leadership: Patient-Centered Care, the Affordable Care Act & Volunteer Caregiving
3 p.m. Oren Renick, J.D., MPH, FACHE, professor, health administration, Texas State

The Meaning of Personalized “Now” Moments of Engagement in Yoga for Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease, Families and Caregivers
4 p.m. Lyn Litchke, Ph.D., associate professor, health and human performance, Texas State

“There are many adults caring for an aging parent with dementia or have a professional interest in learning more about dementia and caregiving for their frail elders,” said Christopher Johnson, a gerontologist in the Department of Sociology at Texas State.

Texas State began offering a Master of Science in Dementia and Aging Studies this fall. This is area of gerontology focuses on training individuals to help improve the quality of life for persons stricken with this debilitating ailment. According to the National Institute on Aging, an estimated 5 million Americans over the age of 65 have Alzheimer's disease, and the program is aimed at preparing professionals who can profoundly impact people afflicted with the disease.

The one-day workshops will continue in 2015 with “The Fourth Age: Service Delivery to Frail Elders” scheduled for Jan. 30 in Fort Worth, and “Aging and the Family” planned for April 17 in San Marcos. The workshops are open to the public. Registration ranges from $115 to $125, and student registration is $65.

For more information regarding the workshop, contact Christopher Johnson in the Texas State University Department of Sociology at cjj38@txstate.edu.

For questions and assistance with registration and payment, contact the Office of Continuing Education at (800) 511-8656 or by email at continuinged@txstate.edu. To register for the workshop, visit www.txstate.edu/continuinged/Events/Dementia-and-Aging-Seminar-Series.html.