Dementia Education; Why

<p>As a clinical psychologist with over twelve years of experience in the senior living space, Dr. Jennifer Stelter has a lot of experience with dementia. </p><p>Dr. Jennifer is critical of the idea that pharmacological methods are the only way to address mental health conditions and she strives to provide knowledge of non-pharmacological tools and coping skills that can be used firstly. </p><p>Together with her business partner Jessica Ryan, biologist, and aromatherapy educator, she created the dementia connection model which employs these types of tools for addressing dementia onset. </p><p>Dr. Jennifer states that while dementia training should be part of any clinical psychology studies, it is instead left all down to nursing homes. </p><p>Since most dementia training is just regulatory compliance, it will often be carried out without much real thought or planning and will not be effective. </p><p>When there is a lack of education in this area staff will not know how to empathize and interact with residents with dementia which leaves them more inclined to become overwhelmed and quit.  </p><p>In order for a dementia training to be effective, it must be engaging and ideally use sensory based exercises to put employees and caregivers in the position of those with dementia. </p><p>Exercises that push people to think on their feet are also very important because this is an essential skill when caring for people with dementia. </p><p>In a post pandemic world, these trainings should be up to date, after all there is evidence that COVID-19 can be a factor of dementia onset. </p><p>Dr. Jennifer and Jessica will be opening their Dementia Connection Institute which provides in-person and virtual CE seminars and presentations, and staff trainings in all the tools and strategies of their model to staff and caregivers.</p><p> </p><p><strong>FOLLOW DR. JENNIFER, AND</strong> <strong>JESSICA, & THEIR PRESENT AND  UPCOMING DEVELOPMENTS</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferstelterpsyd/" target="_blan