Redefining Memory Loss Conference Returns …

Tuesday, June 6th

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Why Should I Attend?

• Become better equipped with effective, hands-on communication strategies that will empower you to connect more comfortably and respectfully with members of the memory loss community. 
• Gather high quality evidence-based strategies that help enable those living with all stages of memory loss to continue to learn, achieve, and give back to their community.
• Learn effective strategies for handling common challenging situations.
• Practice methods for proactively preventing or decreasing anger, agitation, and fear.
• Become more equipped to identify and relinquish erroneous assumptions and judgements about people living with dementia and their care partners.
• Learn how to embrace the shared responsibility of our community to improve the quality of life and make a positive difference in the lives of people living with memory loss and their loved ones. 

What Happens at the Conference?

• This year we are excited to have keynote speaker Sharon Johnson, Director of the Hearthstone Institute. Sharon will be presenting three impactful sessions throughout the day and offering a large variety of insights and take-home resources; she is also gifting each participant the book ‘I’m Still Here’.
• Fargo Moorhead’s NEW Dementia Friendly Choir will make their debut under the direction of Music Therapist, Deb McTaggart.
• A Vendor Fair full of area resources is available for you to gather information of what is available right here in our region.
• An exciting Silent Auction will be held for your bidding pleasure. 100% of the proceeds go directly to Memory Cafe of the Red River Valley. Memory Cafe offers three opportunities each week for those living with memory loss and their care partners to engage in a safe and welcoming environment. Individuals participate in music, art, movement, education, and socialization.
• Snacks, refreshments, lunch and a book are included.

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More Information about the Speaker, Content, Schedule of the Day & Registration:

Keynote Speaker: Sharon Johnson

Sharon is Director of the Hearthstone Institute (The Hearthstone Institute | Dementia and Memory Care Training) and is also a member of the faculty. She has been involved with Hearthstone’s I’m Still Here® program since 2001 and has co-developed all the training modules presented by the Hearthstone Institute and the materials utilized in the training sessions.

Sharon is a seasoned public speaker and has presented at many state and national conferences, including Leading Age, ALFA,

Aging in America, and the New England Homecare Association. She was also selected to participate in the “Best of the Best” conference hosted by the Massachusetts’ Assisted Living Federation of America.

Sharon has been privileged to consult with organizations throughout the world including France, Australia, and Brazil, as well as many in the United States, sharing the efficacy of the I’m Still Here® Approach to dementia care while bringing Hearthstone’s message of hope to those living with the challenges of memory impairment.

Sharon has over 20 years of sales and marketing experience and leads the Hearthstone team and affiliated organizations in all areas of marketing, sales training, strategic marketing planning, and global branding. She has served in leadership positions for several Alzheimer-related non-profit organizations and is a member of many professional associations within the Alzheimer’s community.

Content:

For over two decades, the Hearthstone Institute has been a catalyst in shifting the prevailing “despair narrative” into one aimed at providing a life worth living for people experiencing the challenges associated with dementia. Very much in line with Memory Café’s mission to inspire hope, joy, and a sense of empowerment, Hearthstone’s I’m Still Here® Approach to dementia care brings a message of hope to those living with the challenges of memory impairment.

This inspirational conference will provide insight into a major paradigm shift taking place in the field of dementia care. The realization that every community member and care partner has the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of people living with memory challenges. The presentations will discuss evidence-based strategies that enable those living with all stages of memory loss to continue to learn, achieve, and give back to their community reflecting strong alignments with core values of Memory Cafe of the Red River Valley.

This interactive course will also provide instruction in effective research-based verbal and nonverbal techniques for successfully communicating with those experiencing all stages of memory loss. Strategies for handling common challenging situations are discussed and practiced, including how to prevent or decrease anger, agitation, and fear.

Schedule of the Day:

8:30 – 9:00 Registration, Silent Auction & Vendor Exhibits

9:00 – 9:15 Welcome & Introductions

9:15 – 10:45 Session 1: Hope vs. Despair

10:45 – 11:15 Break, Silent Auction & Vendor Exhibits

11:15 – 12:15 Session 2: That’s a Good Question!

12:15 – 1:00 Lunch, Silent Auction & Vendor Exhibits

1:00 – 1:15 Video, Testimony & Dementia Friendly Chorus

1:15 – 2:45 Session 3: You have the P.O.W.E.R.™ to create successful non-pharmacologic interventions for common challenging behaviors associated with dementia

2:45-3:15 Closing, Giveaways, Silent Auction Winners

More About Registration:

REGISTRATION is required by May 26

Cost: $40 Community Members; $65 for Professionals who want to receive 4 hours ND or MN Social Work CEUs (pending)

Register now at Eventbrite or mail a check with a name and email address for each ticket purchased. Please contact leeora@memorycaferrv.org with questions.

After May 26th Registration: $50 Community Members; $75 Professionals. Note: Lunch is not guaranteed with late registrations or walk-in registrations.