Dementia Care Communication Strategies That Every Caregiver Needs to Know with Dr. Heather McKay

<p>In 2003, Dr. Heather McKay had just begun working in occupational therapy when her beloved grandmother was diagnosed with vascular dementia. The family’s challenge merged Heather’s work and personal life—inspiring her career and fueling a larger mission to improve life for people living with dementia and their myriad caregivers. Over a decade of caregiving, her family gathered knowledge of dementia, learned new skills, and adapted together through every stage of the disease—a collaborative and transformative experience that Heather credits for her success as much as any formal training. Through it all, Heather emerged as an international thought leader in dementia care and caregiver education and one of the industry’s most sought-after trainer/speakers.</p> <p>As manager of Partnerships for Health, Heather provides training for professional and family caregivers and consultation with organizations on topics related to dementia care.  In 2009, Heather collaborated with the National Association of State Veterans Homes and other Veterans’ associations to produce the caregiver training video series, Dementia Care for America’s Heroes.  The film series received the national Caregiver Friendly Award and is available online at www.pfhnc.com. Heather is featured in other caregiver education produced by Stanford University, Maine Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company, ComForCare, and At Your Side Home Care across the US and Canada.  In 2016, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America named Heather “Dementia Care Professional of the Year” for her dedication and devotion to serving individuals living with dementia, their families, professionals, and her community. She’s also been awarded by her occupational therapy peers for “humanitarian values, knowledge, and visionary leadership.”</p> <p>In her characteristically down-to-earth, fun and informative style (and signature southern Appalachian accent) Heather helps caregivers understand dementia’s impact on communication, why communication breakdowns happen, and how to improve ou