Dementia: What It Is and What It Is Not

LONG VALLEY - On Monday, August 23 at Noon, Washington Township Public Library and the Senior Resource Center will host Lunch 'n' Learn: "Dementia: What It Is and What It Is Not." The talk will be held over Zoom.

While we have come a long way in increasing awareness of dementia there is very little understanding of what that actually means. Dementia is often used interchangeable with diseases like Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia however, there are other conditions that can cause the symptoms of dementia that with proper diagnosis and treatment may be managed and even reversed. This program will discuss the meaning of the term dementia as well as the causes. We will identify the steps to getting an accurate diagnosis as well as things we can do to promote healthy aging.

Presenter Amy E. Matthews has worked exclusively in the field of Alzheimer’s and related dementia disorders for the past 30 years. Her experience ranges from Adult Day Care and Home Health to working as the original Activity Director in the very first dementia specific assisted living in the country and later as Executive Director opening a building in West Orange NJ. Ms. Matthews also worked for the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter for 14 years providing both professional and community education and training. Amy currently specializes in professional training and community education. She also provides consulting with professionals and families on best practices and helping them create a plan of care for the future. Amy was also a caregiver for her Grandmother who had Vascular Dementia and considers this her greatest experience in terms of understanding how these diseases affect families and how families reach out and interact with professionals.

Lunch 'n' Learn is sponsored by the Senior Resource Center. This program will be held live over Zoom. Please register with an email address so we can send you a link to attend. Click here to sign up.