Stephanie Oder, RN, BSN, LNHA, will facilitate a jointly-sponsored, special class, Deconstructing Dementia,

hosted by Adawehi Institute, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Oder, the director of Geropsychiatric Services at Mary Black Hospital in Spartanburg, designed this dynamic course for all caregivers and professionals who seek greater insight and skill. Nurses and social workers will earn four Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) for the four-hour class, which will meet at Adawehi Institute, off Fox Mountain Road, at 93 Adawehi Lane in Columbus.
The morning session, from 10 a.m. until noon, focuses on understanding the stages and characteristics of dementia. Following a one-hour break for lunch provided by Beneficial Foods, participants will practice hands-on methods for approaching and interacting with someone with dementia. Proven tools for dealing with difficult behaviors will be demonstrated and discussed.
The following sponsors will be on site to provide valuable resources to attendees: Bayada Home Health Care, Golden Living Centers, Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, Simply Home, White Oak of Tryon, St. Luke’s Hospital and Meridian Senior Living.
Oder’s approach to caring for elders with dementia has been described as a holistic blend of traditional medical approaches and newer behavioral approaches. Credited with being a pioneer in this region’s culture change movement for eldercare, Oder said, “My intent is to coach those providing care to connect with the person first, rather than to focus only on the disease.”
For more information on the course or to register, call 828-894-2143.The cost of the course includes lunch.
Adawehi Institute is a holistic wellness center in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The campus, located on 126 acres, is dedicated to healthy living. Facilities are open 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday. For more information about the campus, visit www.adawehi.com.
– article submitted by Jennifer Wilson