Loretta was the Keynote Speaker for this year's Dementia Education Conference and spoke about "LEGO, Serious Play", showing the audience how to include using LEGOs as a way to communicate with those living with dementia. The recorded session is at right.

Healthy Ideas is a program supported by Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services (RRCS) that provides screening for symptoms and severity of depression in older adults; education about depression, effective treatment, and self-care; symptom management through engagement in meaningful activities and ongoing support; assistance with referral and linkage to primary and mental/behavioral health care providers, if needed. Hear Susie Walters of RRCS present on Healthy Ideas and depression in older adults. 

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Dr. Paul Aravich brought a "Brain Table" with real human brains that had been impacted by different diseases so that participants could see the varying  physical affects.
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He spoke on a number of relevant topics related to dementia including describing successful brain aging and the many theories for Alzheimer’s disease; and development of programs to help the varying demographical characteristics of caregivers. 

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Dr. Aravich's PowerPoint Presentation

Family caregivers don't have much choice when it comes to being a caregiver. Listen to Shannon Reilly, PhD.,  
Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology, University of Virginia Health System, speak about wellbeing in older adults and in maintaining the idea that "you are still the same  person you were before you were a caregiver". 

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