Dementia Care and Support for Family Caregivers

Lori P. McKenna, LICSW

Lisa K. Lax, LICSW, EdD

This workshop has been approved for three formal CEUs by NASW VT. Approval #1053

This workshop will first provide an overview of different categories of dementia and Mild Cognitive Disorder (MCI), diagnosis, and treatment. We will explore the impact of symptoms and the progression of the condition on individuals and their family caregivers. We will consider the implications for social work practice in such settings as medical practice, behavioral health, and community mental health agencies, and we will address the current system of care and community-based services for people affected by dementia. We will also provide an example of a unique evidence-based program for family caregivers.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Discuss the symptoms and behaviors associated with Mild Cognitive Disorder (MCI) and the major categories of dementia, and current treatment approaches.
• Describe the impact of psychological and practical aspects of dementia and MCI, and will actively consider the implications for social work practice with individuals who have these conditions.
• Describe f the psychological and practical aspects of dementia and MCI on family caregivers and will actively consider the implications for social work practice.
• Discuss community-based resources that serve people with dementia and their family caregivers.
• Discuss new evidence-based group therapy approaches for working with family caregivers in dementia care.

About the Presenters

Lisa K. Lax, LICSW, EdD

University of Vermont Medical Center, Neurology Memory Program

Lisa has served as a mental health clinician and geriatric clinical social worker for the Memory Program since 2018. In addition, she has a part time private practice located in Burlington. She has over 30 years’ experience as a social worker in Vermont, in a variety of settings that include the Howard Center, the Burlington Community Health Center, Vermont Department for Children and Families, and Invest Employee Assistance Program. She has also served as a program administrator and adjunct faculty member at the UVM Department of Social Work. In addition to earning an MSW degree in 1983, Lisa earned a Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Policy Studies in 2012.

Lori P. McKenna, LICSW

University of Vermont Medical Center, Neurology Memory Program

Frederick C. Binter Center for Parkinson’s disease and Movement Disorders Huntingto

Psychosocial Assessment

Wendy St. Pierre, PhD, LCSW, MSW

Lynn Stanley, LICSW

REGISTER

Six (6) clinical contact hours approved by NASW ME

This course will include a review of the components of a psychosocial assessment and present various assessment formats. We will review factors that should be considered part of an assessment and explore ways to best collect information. Participants will have the opportunity to practice skills and discuss approaches.

About the Presenters

Wendy St. Pierre, Ph.D., LCSW, MSW, a social worker in Maine for over twenty years has experience in crisis intervention, case management, working with homeless youth, and in regulatory affairs. She has been a school-based clinician as well.  For the last 4 years she has been working full time in acadedmia, first at Kennebec Valley Commuity College and now as Assistant Professor of Mental Health and Human Services at the University of Maine at Augusta.

 Lynn Stanley, LICSW is the Interim Executive Director of NASW Maine, ED for NASW NH, and Interim ED for NASW VT. She is also adjunct faculty for the UNH Social Work Department. Lynn has been a social worker for over 25 years in a variety of settings.

Wendy and Lynn are both proud members of NASW.

The details:

• The zoom link and materials will be sent to you prior to the workshop
• We will start at 8:45 am EST. There will be a 15 minute break in the morning and afternoon and a 30 minute lunch break.
• If you would prefer to write a check: NASW ME, PO Box 5065, Augusta, ME 04332  Please include your name, email, phone number, and if you are an NASW member. 
• If you need any accommodations to fully participate in the training, please email Barbara at bsteward.naswme@socialworkers.org

We are committed to providing information and resources to help all social workers in their professional lives. We are able to do this because of NASW Members - membership dues are a major part of our Chapter's budget. If you are not a member, please consider becoming one today. When you become a member of NASW, you automatically become a member of your Chapter and help support our work.