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Learn to define dementia, distinguish the different types, and understand the typical path of disease progression.
Dementia is a progressive condition that affects memory, thinking, and the ability to perform everyday tasks. It is caused by damage to brain cells, often due to diseases like Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia. Symptoms include confusion, difficulty communicating, personality changes, and impaired judgment. While there is no cure, early diagnosis and supportive care can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Thursday, March 20, 2025
6:00 p.m.
Zoom: Event URL will be sent via registration email.
Register Here: https://marylandlibraries.libcal.com/calendar/ExternalCalendar/Dementia101
Speaker:
Melissa Long, Director of Education and Support
Melissa is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine with a B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation and Leisure Studies and a minor in Health Studies. Melissa is a certified recreational therapist, certified dementia practitioner and educator, certified best friends dementia trainer, certified dementia capable care specialist and trainer. and a Licensed BCAT® practitioner. Melissa has been providing care to older adults for 20+ years. She is also the recipient of the ATRA Frank L. Basile Clinician of the Year 2016, 2024 Pride in Our Community Leader of Loudoun County Pride, and National Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Trainer (CADDCT) of 2024. She has presented at numerous conferences and has published evidence-based practice programing. She has had the opportunity to live in Romania and provide sensory integration for orphans. She also held the position of Social Coordinator for participants in the Cerebral Palsy - International Sports and Recreation Association (CP- ISRA) World Championship. Through Melissa’s experience both clinically and in the community, she brings and provides out of the box thinking and support to both clients and caregivers daily.
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