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Episode 82 - Dementia and Education with Dr. George Heckman and Michelle Heyer MSc
Canada now has more people over the age of 65 than we do under the age of 15. That means the types of health challenges we see in our hospitals and primary care settings are likely to change over the coming decade. One condition that impacts many of us and our families is called dementia.
The term "dementia" doesn't actually refer to one, specific disease. Rather, it's an overall term for a set of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain.
Dementia however, is not a normal part of aging.
Almost 40% of people over the age of 65 experience some form of memory loss. When there is no underlying medical condition causing this memory loss, it is known as age-associated memory impairment.
Age-associated memory impairment is part of the natural process of aging. For most people, memory generally remains strong as they get older, and doesn't decline rapidly or substantively.
However, brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are different.
Because of the effects of dementia, a person’s ability to communicate may become impaired, making it difficult to talk with them. But this doesn't meant they should be ignored.
It's important to try to reach the person in whichever way you can – and there are many ways to do so.
We have to remember that that all persons with dementia have the right to be treated with respect and requires some training and coaching to be effective. That’s why today I have two experts on the show. Our first guest is Dr. George Heckman – Dr. Heckman is the Schlegel Research Chair in Geriatric Medicine and Associate Professor in the Department of Health Studies and Gerontology at the University of Waterloo, and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at McMaster University. He is a geriatrician and will help us understand dementia and Alzheimer’s. We will then meet up with Michelle Heyer who is the Director, Seniors Care in the Schlegel Centre for Advancing Seniors Care at Conestoga College. In Michelle’s role at Conestoga, she is dedicated to helping prepare healthcare providers to care for older adults with complex needs through gerontological research and education. Michelle will tell us about her groups project called Canadian Remote Access for Dementia Learning Experiences which is a free online dementia care program for those supporting individuals with dementia.
The term "dementia" doesn't actually refer to one, specific disease. Rather, it's an overall term for a set of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain.
Dementia however, is not a normal part of aging.
Almost 40% of people over the age of 65 experience some form of memory loss. When there is no underlying medical condition causing this memory loss, it is known as age-associated memory impairment.
Age-associated memory impairment is part of the natural process of aging. For most people, memory generally remains strong as they get older, and doesn't decline rapidly or substantively.
However, brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are different.
Because of the effects of dementia, a person’s ability to communicate may become impaired, making it difficult to talk with them. But this doesn't meant they should be ignored.
It's important to try to reach the person in whichever way you can – and there are many ways to do so.
We have to remember that that all persons with dementia have the right to be treated with respect and requires some training and coaching to be effective. That’s why today I have two experts on the show. Our first guest is Dr. George Heckman – Dr. Heckman is the Schlegel Research Chair in Geriatric Medicine and Associate Professor in the Department of Health Studies and Gerontology at the University of Waterloo, and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at McMaster University. He is a geriatrician and will help us understand dementia and Alzheimer’s. We will then meet up with Michelle Heyer who is the Director, Seniors Care in the Schlegel Centre for Advancing Seniors Care at Conestoga College. In Michelle’s role at Conestoga, she is dedicated to helping prepare healthcare providers to care for older adults with complex needs through gerontological research and education. Michelle will tell us about her groups project called Canadian Remote Access for Dementia Learning Experiences which is a free online dementia care program for those supporting individuals with dementia.
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By Stingray Podcast Network
5
11 ratings
Canada now has more people over the age of 65 than we do under the age of 15. That means the types of health challenges we see in our hospitals and primary care settings are likely to change over the coming decade. One condition that impacts many of us and our families is called dementia.
The term "dementia" doesn't actually refer to one, specific disease. Rather, it's an overall term for a set of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain.
Dementia however, is not a normal part of aging.
Almost 40% of people over the age of 65 experience some form of memory loss. When there is no underlying medical condition causing this memory loss, it is known as age-associated memory impairment.
Age-associated memory impairment is part of the natural process of aging. For most people, memory generally remains strong as they get older, and doesn't decline rapidly or substantively.
However, brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are different.
Because of the effects of dementia, a person’s ability to communicate may become impaired, making it difficult to talk with them. But this doesn't meant they should be ignored.
It's important to try to reach the person in whichever way you can – and there are many ways to do so.
We have to remember that that all persons with dementia have the right to be treated with respect and requires some training and coaching to be effective. That’s why today I have two experts on the show. Our first guest is Dr. George Heckman – Dr. Heckman is the Schlegel Research Chair in Geriatric Medicine and Associate Professor in the Department of Health Studies and Gerontology at the University of Waterloo, and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at McMaster University. He is a geriatrician and will help us understand dementia and Alzheimer’s. We will then meet up with Michelle Heyer who is the Director, Seniors Care in the Schlegel Centre for Advancing Seniors Care at Conestoga College. In Michelle’s role at Conestoga, she is dedicated to helping prepare healthcare providers to care for older adults with complex needs through gerontological research and education. Michelle will tell us about her groups project called Canadian Remote Access for Dementia Learning Experiences which is a free online dementia care program for those supporting individuals with dementia.
The term "dementia" doesn't actually refer to one, specific disease. Rather, it's an overall term for a set of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain.
Dementia however, is not a normal part of aging.
Almost 40% of people over the age of 65 experience some form of memory loss. When there is no underlying medical condition causing this memory loss, it is known as age-associated memory impairment.
Age-associated memory impairment is part of the natural process of aging. For most people, memory generally remains strong as they get older, and doesn't decline rapidly or substantively.
However, brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are different.
Because of the effects of dementia, a person’s ability to communicate may become impaired, making it difficult to talk with them. But this doesn't meant they should be ignored.
It's important to try to reach the person in whichever way you can – and there are many ways to do so.
We have to remember that that all persons with dementia have the right to be treated with respect and requires some training and coaching to be effective. That’s why today I have two experts on the show. Our first guest is Dr. George Heckman – Dr. Heckman is the Schlegel Research Chair in Geriatric Medicine and Associate Professor in the Department of Health Studies and Gerontology at the University of Waterloo, and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at McMaster University. He is a geriatrician and will help us understand dementia and Alzheimer’s. We will then meet up with Michelle Heyer who is the Director, Seniors Care in the Schlegel Centre for Advancing Seniors Care at Conestoga College. In Michelle’s role at Conestoga, she is dedicated to helping prepare healthcare providers to care for older adults with complex needs through gerontological research and education. Michelle will tell us about her groups project called Canadian Remote Access for Dementia Learning Experiences which is a free online dementia care program for those supporting individuals with dementia.