Occupational Therapy - Benefits for Those Living with Dementia

Members: Two Free CEUs; Non-Members: $30.00 Two CEUs

Occupational Therapy - Benefits for Those Living with Dementia

Presenter: Patricia Fantauzzo, COTA

Session Description: 

This course is appropriate for all occupational therapy practitioners interested in learning about the purpose and benefits of providing occupational therapy services for clients living with progressive cognitive decline including Alzheimer's and Dementia related diagnosis. Course will include basic description of Dementia and understanding of progressive stages, outline of benefits of occupational therapy, where to start when considering starting dementia related programming, and documentation ideas for care-planning and justification of OT goals. There will be open discussion time built in for Q & A with active interaction encouraged.

Course Objectives:

• Understand Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Dementia Related Diagnosis 
• Basic Knowledge of Dementia Related Survey Deficiencies & Care-Planning Receive
• Information/Ideas for Starting Dementia Programming

Speaker Bio:

Patricia Fantauzzo is a COTA/L, Therapy Program Manager for Julia Temple Healthcare, Chief Therapy Officer for Ensign Therapy, and an active governing body member of Julia Temple Outpatient Services. She has been at Julia Temple for the past 8 years where they provide therapy to both subacute patients and specialized care for residents with progressive cognitive impairments including Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Patricia is a recipient of the 2022 NBCOT Impact Award for her dedication to those living with Alzheimer's and other Dementia related disease processes and was a 2019 Colorado Healthcare Association finalist for the “Spotlight On Excellence Award” for therapy professionals. With over 27 years of experience working as an occupational therapy clinician, though she has spent the last 10 years dedicated to program development and implementation to those living with Alzheimer's and other Dementia related diagnosis, she also has diverse therapy experiences including pediatrics, pediatric and adolescent mental health, ICU, acute care, SNF, rehabilitation, outpatient, home health, and hand therapy. Patricia enjoys presenting both locally and nationally on occupational therapy topics, and is published in OT Practice for OTR/COTA collaboration in hand therapy. Patricia is a married mother of two daughters and loves gardening, hiking with her two dogs, and spending time with family traveling.

References:

Dementia OT role – Abilities Care Retrieved from https://portal.ensignservices.net/ArticleDocuments/572/Dementia%20OT%20Role.pdf.aspx

Dementia Skilled Documentation Part 1 POSTettes retrieved from https://portal.ensignservices.net/ArticleDocuments/551/Dementia%20Skilled%20Documentation%20Part%201POSTette1.pdf.aspx

Dementia and the Aging Process retrieved from https://portal.ensignservices.net/ArticleDocuments/551/Dementia%20Aggression%20POSTette.pdf.aspx