Home Care Assistance- ODL 207: “I’m Still Me” – A Unique Lens at Keeping Personhood Alive in Dementia through Personal Perspectives

2 contact hours: More than 16 million people in the United States are living with cognitive impairment. With age being the greatest risk factor, this number is expected to dramatically increase as the Baby Boomer generation passes the age of 65. As helping professionals, we often see the clients who are the human beings behind these statistics and wish to continue to live their life with meaning, dignity, and purpose. This eye-opening discussion will include the personal perspectives of a social worker and others living with some form of cognitive impairment. Next, participants will view a video of Carolyn Cook, a renowned Atlanta actor/director and caregiver for her mother with dementia, perform a one-act, one-person play through the eyes of both the person with dementia and the caregiver. Anne McSweeney, LCSW and CEU Creations Educational Director, will lead participants through a discussion on personhood and how helping professionals can truly help their clients continue to live quality lives with purpose even through a dementia diagnosis.