ODL 326: Aging, Memory, and Caring Relationships: Enhancing Engagement for Older Adults

Created on: 2/25/25

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, counselors, nurses, and case managers.

Overview:

This 2-hour continuing education training combines an artistic exploration of aging with a research-informed discussion. The session begins with a short play, The Forager, that artfully depicts themes of memory, caregiving, and connection. Following the performance, Dr. Christine Williams, an esteemed researcher and practitioner, will lead an interactive presentation on the intersections of social engagement, mental health, and aging. Participants will gain insights into innovative approaches to enhance the well-being of older adults, including caregiving strategies and the role of meaningful social and physical engagement.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

1. Describe the significance of social and physical engagement in promoting mental health and reducing cognitive decline among older adults, as supported by current research findings.
2. Identify effective communication strategies for caregivers to support individuals with dementia or cognitive impairment in maintaining dignity and fostering connection.
3. Apply research-based approaches to enhance caregiving practices, integrating lessons from the arts and innovative models for optimizing engagement in older adults.

Presenters:

Christine Williams, DNSc, APRN, PMHNP-BC, AHNCC-NC-BC and Professor Emeritus at Florida Atlantic University

Dr. Christine L. Williams is an internationally known expert in gerontological nursing. During her extensive career as a clinician, educator, and researcher, she designed and tested a groundbreaking program to help older couples affected by memory problems overcome communication barriers related to memory loss. As a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and certified Nurse Coach, she has spoken to numerous national and international audiences, published over 80 scholarly journal articles, a book and book chapters sharing her clinical and research expertise on older adults, particularly those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Currently she is Co-PI on an NIH funded interdisciplinary study on individual, community and environmental factors contributing to cognitive decline in rural communities.

Barry Stoltze, Actor

Barry Stoltze has been a professional actor for nearly 50 years.  He has voiced hundreds of commercials, worked on audiobooks, animation, and gaming, and has appeared extensively on stage and screen.  In 2022, he was a proud participant in CEU Creations’ online production of TURNING INTO THE SKID with Judith Gantly.  In 2023, he was part of the ensemble of PRAYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC at Actor’s Express which won the Suzi Award for Best Play, a thought-provoking production that included his current CEU Creations scene partner, Carolyn Cook.  In the winter of 2025, he will be portraying an immortal prophet in the new musical KING OF PANGEA at the Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville, GA.  He has appeared on camera in OZARK, HALT AND CATCH FIRE, and SLEEPY HOLLOW and in the films THE LONGEST RIDE and TYLER PERRY’S BOO! 2, among others.  Additionally, at Synchronicity Theatre in 2018, Barry wrote and produced I CAN’T TECHNO: A MUSICAL GUIDE TO MODERN TIMES, with song parodies and comedy sketches about Mankind dealing with technology down through the Ages.  And in October at the Shakespeare Tavern, he co-produced the 21st annual LEND ME AN EAR, a night of Old Time Radio recreations by union performers, which this year raised food assistance money for Open Hand.

Carolyn Cook, Actor/Director

Carolyn Cook is the founder and first artistic director of Theatre du Reve. She has more than twenty-five years of experience as a professional actor, director, producer, teacher, and acting coach. Carolyn has worked as an actor and/or director with some of the top theaters in Atlanta including Georgia Shakespeare, Horizon Theatre, The Alliance Theatre, Actor’s Express, Theatre in the Square, Seven Stages, and Theater Emory. She has taught acting and theatre studies at Emory University, Oglethorpe University, Pebblebrook High School, and the Robert Mello Studio. Carolyn has been on the dementia journey for over 10 years now. Her mother lives with Alzheimer’s disease and lives in an assisted living facility. As a family member, Carolyn sought to educate herself in best practices for dementia care. She is a graduate of the 2015 Memory Bridge Training Retreat, a five-day intensive program leading to positive, meaningful dementia relationships. Carolyn co-developed and performed in Blackberry Winter, a play by Steve Yockey about a woman coming to terms with her new role as a caregiver.

2 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 2 General CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 2 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 2 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 2 Contact Hours
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 2 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 2 Contact Hours

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.