The Longest Day

June 21, 2023 8am-5pm

8am-9am Here comes the sun; WHy Attitudes and livability matter in Dementia.

Each sunrise brings new opportunities for making a difference in the way we think, feel, and act about aging. Cathy Bollinger, Managing Director, Embracing Aging and Executive Director, TroveStreet kicks off the morning sharing what York County is doing to improve how people experience aging, and why it matters for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

9:15am- 10:15am Chaning Caregiver Expectations and Honoring Family Traditions

When the diagnosis of dementia touches a family, everyone is impacted and families are often overwhelmed by new expectations that they may face as the disease progresses. Caregivers will often find themselves taking on new challenging roles and performing duties that they never expected that they would need to manage while the ability of the person living with dementia to express appreciation for the assistance dwindles. This presentation will discuss how to approach new roles in a positive way while maintaining some long standing traditions by adapting them with the help of family and friends. With summer holidays and family vacation plans approaching, tips for making travel a success will be shared as well.

10:30am- 11:30am Caregivers Guilt & How Professionals can help.

11:45am-1:30pm Lunch & Learn: Alive Inside

1:30pm-2:30pm Medication, Science or Art

CRNP will discuss common medications used to manage the symptoms of Dementia.

2:45pm- 3:45pm Who am I now?

“All death is loss, but not all loss is death.” Often people think that grief is reserved for those who have experienced the death of a loved one, but grief can rear its head throughout the day, especially when we are caregiving for someone we love. Our loss of routine, expectations, and identity can lead to feelings of anger, guilt, and resentment – and we simply don’t have the energy for all of that! During this presentation, come ready to share your experience, frustrations, and losses that don’t involve death – we will provide education on how the bereavement process affects our brains and our wellness.

4:00pm-5:00pm Dying Wishes Matter, Experiences of an End-of-Life Doula

This will review; How to be more present with the person dying: Paying attention to their non-verbal cues, facial expressions, Having a dignified end of life; Who you want to be with you (and who not to be with you)