A free workshop will help caregivers with loved ones with dementia better understand the condition and learn skills to deal with challenging behaviors.
The in-person Positive Approach to Dementia Care workshop — sponsored by AARP Hawaii, the Alzheimer’s Association and Hawaii Island Adult Day Care — will be held from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Hilo at Hawaii Island Adult Day Care, 561 Kupuna Place.
The workshop will cover “Normal vs. Not Normal Aging: Understanding the Difference,” and “Challenging Behaviors in Dementia Care: Recognizing Unmet Needs.”
The first session will teach caregivers to recognize and intervene effectively when behavioral challenges occur and to develop skills to better approach and connect with dementia patients. The second session will look at physical and emotional needs that can cause challenging behaviors and teach techniques to connect and comfort loved ones with dementia.
Participants must register to attend the sessions and select a lunch option. Go to aarp.org/local or the AARP Hawaii Facebook page and click on the events tab to learn about and register for all the events AARP is offering. Registration by phone also is available at (877) 926-8300.
Dorothy Colby, a certified dementia care trainer and national mentor, and Pat Bemis, an AARP volunteer and certified trainer, will facilitate the workshop.