WICHITA FALLS -- Health and human service workers, and others who care for the elderly, can learn how to better deal with disoriented persons -- especially those with Alzheimers or dementia -- at an Oct. 5 seminar at the Multi-Purpose Event Center here.
"Breaking Through the Barrier of Alzheimers Disease and Other Disorders" is designed to help caregivers tune in to their elderly patients'current situation and needs.
"This educational seminar is geared for those who regularly work with disoriented or elderly people," said Elaine Houston, District 3 family and consumer sciences director with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. "The seminar will feature presentations by two nationally known health care professionals -- Naomi Feil and Dr. Carol Rice."
Naomi Feil is executive director of the Validation Training Institute in Cleveland, Ohio, and the creator of validation therapy. This therapy is currently recognized as the state-of-the-art intervention for disoriented older people. Feil began developing validation therapy in 1963, in response to her dissatisfaction with traditional methods of working with severely disoriented people.
In validation therapy, caregivers focus on their patient's inner world by helping them restore the past, relive good times and resolve past conflicts û leading to less stress, greater self-esteem and dignity, and increased happiness for the patient. Feil has produced award-winning documentary films and two books on the disoriented elderly, and is widely acclaimed for training health care professionals in gerontology.
Dr. Carol Rice is a registered nurse with expertise in community health, gerontology and mental health. She holds a joint appointment as a health specialist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, and associate professor of public health and safety with the Texas A&M University's Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health.
The seminar will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Advance registrations, those made before Sept. 24, cost $20 per person. Later registrations cost $25 per person, noted Barbara Fangmann, Wichita County Extension family and consumer sciences agent.
"The registration fee covers all seminar sessions, access to exhibits, refreshments and lunch, handouts from speakers, and a certificate of completion," Fangmann said. "Social workers and other health care professionals who attend can qualify for continuing education units (CEUs). Type I CNE credit approval is pending from the Texas Nurses Association." The center is located at 1002 Fifth St. in Wichita Falls. Checks for registration should be payable to the Wichita Consumer Science Committee. Registration requests should also include your name, mailing address, social security number, birth date, daytime and evening telephone numbers, and the type of continuing education credits desired.
Registration information should be mailed to: Wichita Consumer Science Committee, care of Barbara Fangmann at the Wichita County Extension Service, 1002 Fifth St., Wichita Falls, Texas 76301.
For more information on this October event, call Houston at (940) 552-9941 or Fangmann at (940) 716-5580; or contact your county Extension office.