Dignity in Awareness event planned

"I'm excited about this," shared Allison Cuthie, director of ForgeWorks, a division of Garden Spot Village (GSV). "So often you have (dementia education) conferences for health care workers or the family, but who offers a conference for the person living with dementia?" Working with experts in the field, Cuthie has developed just such a conference in coordination with Dementia Awareness Week, which will be observed from Monday, May 19, through Sunday, May 25. "It's very honoring of their value at a time of life where they may not feel they have value or a role," explained Cuthie.

The first Dignity in Awareness conference for care partners and people living with brain changes will be held at GSV, 433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland, on Thursday, May 22. Doors will open at 8 a.m., and the morning will kick off at 8:30 a.m. in the GSV chapel with a keynote presentation by a panel including speakers representing the four main types of dementia - Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia - as well as speakers who are living with dementia. The event will conclude at noon.

"The neat thing about this conference is that we wanted to make it as inclusive as possible and allow for people living with dementia to have an option to attend a conference that was applicable to them," Cuthie shared.

Workshops, which will be held following the keynote presentation, will run 45 minutes each. Participants may choose two sessions to attend. Care partners will be able to choose from several sessions, including a dementia simulation experience, changes in mobility, communication and approach skills, support group sessions, skill building, and self-care. "We will have some small support group-style sessions with family members," Cuthie pointed out. "(It will be) a chance for them to hear other people's stories, ask questions, develop strategies."

People experiencing brain changes will have options including an art class, a book study, an educational session, and a gardening class called "Dig Into Your Purpose." Cuthie explained that the use of the term "brain changes" is intentional. "Dementia is a good umbrella, but there are a lot of kinds (of dementia)," she pointed out. "The more we can do to bring awareness to different types of dementia (the better)," she added. "It's not a one-size-fits-all disease."

In addition, local organizations that will have displays at the event will be the Alzheimer's Association, The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, the Lewy Body Dementia Association, the Penn Medicine Alzheimer's and Memory Care division, and Dementia Friendly Lancaster.

The morning will also feature hot beverages and a light breakfast, along with giveaways.

Cuthie stated that the conference grew out of work that ForgeWorks is offering within the care community. "One of our primary areas of service is in dementia education and consulting," she explained, noting that two dementia educators, who are staff members at ForgeWorks, are planning the seminar. The educators also work with local retirement communities, coordinate support groups, and are developing a dementia curriculum especially for the faith community.

Readers who wish to take part in the conference may visit http://www.theforgeworks.org or call 717-351-2500 to register. There is a fee to attend. Participation will be limited, but registrations will be accepted until the day of the event as long as space is available.

"We recognize that not everyone can come live at GSV," noted Cuthie. "Our ForgeWorks arm is designed to bring GSV services to the community or other organizations."