On Saturday, September 24th, Cooperative Elder Services, Inc. (CESI) hosted the Family Forum for Caregivers at the Concord Council on Aging. The Forum provided the caregivers of people with early/young onset Alzheimer’s disease with the skills and resources to better care for their loved ones and themselves.
The following vendors participated in the Forum’s resource fair:
– Cooperative Elder Services, Inc. Adult Day Health Centers and Natalya Perlov, Physical Therapist
– Concord Council on Aging
– ComForCare Homecare
– Dr. Andrew E. Budson – Associate Director of Boston University’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center
– Greater Waltham Arc
– Durable Medical Equipment: New England Home Medical Equipment
– Christine Boutin of Levine Piro Law
– Zounds Hearing of Westford
– Carriage House at Lee’s Farm
– Lincoln Commons, Benchmark Community
– 24 Hours Care
– Minuteman Senior Services
– Alzheimer’s Association
– Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Pharmacy Outreach Program
– ActivMed Practices & Research
The Forum then featured the following experts in the field:
- Dr. Andrew E. Budson: “Seven Steps to Managing Your Memory: What’s Normal, What’s Not, & What to Do About It”.Dr. Budson received his B.A. in Chemistry and Philosophy from Haverford College (1988) and his M.D. from Harvard Medical School (1993). He is Professor of Neurology at Boston University School of Medicine, Associate Director for Research at the Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Lecturer in Neurology at Harvard Medical School, and Consultant Neurologist at the Division of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology, Department of Neurology, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Budson has had continual NIH research funding since 1998, receiving a National Research Service Award and a Career Development Award in addition to a Research Project (R01) grant. He continues to see patients while teaching fellows, residents, and medical students in his memory disorders clinic at VA Boston.
- Dr. Yakeel Quiroz: “Brain Changes in Preclinical Early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease”. Dr Quiroz is a neuropsychologist and clinical researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. She completed her Ph.D. training in clinical psychology at Boston University and a postdoctoral fellowship at MGH. With an NIH Director’s Early Independence Award, Dr. Quiroz recently launched her own lab where she seeks to identify and validate biomarkers for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. She also co-directs the Multicultural Neuropsychology Program at MGH, a service that offers culturally appropriate bilingual neuropsychological testing and interventions to Latino children and adults.
- Margaret Hoag: “Getting Your Affairs in Order”. Ms. Hoag received her A.B. from Bryn Mawr College and her J.D., cum laude, from Suffolk University Law School. Prior to joining Eckel, Morgan & O’Connor she was associated with Mendel & Associates and The Law Office of William J. Brisk. Ms. Hoag is the co-author of Massachusetts Elder Law, published by Lexis Law Publishing in 1998, updated in 1999 and 2001. She concentrates her practice in the area of elder law, including long-term care planning, guardianship and conservatorship, MassHealth (Medicaid) application, estate planning, and probate administration.
- Dr. Deborah Bier: “Game Changing Dementia Care for Family Caregivers”. Dr. Bier is the creator of ComForcare/At Your Side’s industry-leading DementiaWise care program. She has been a psychotherapist and homecare agency director of care for over 25 years. Her focus is on helping families better manage chronic illness, and to help clients live their best life possible regardless of their level of health. She holds a doctorate degree in therapeutic counseling, a certificate in gerontology, and is a Certified Alzheimer’s Educator, a Certified Dementia Practitioner, and a Certified Dementia Care Partner. Dr. Bier has been a long-term Concord resident.
- Jennifer Ashe Quinn, M.Ed: “Game Changing Dementia Care for Family Caregivers”. Ms. Quinn is the Owner/President of ComForCare Home Care. Ms. Quinn is an active member of ComForCare’sDementiaWiseNational Council. She conducts First Responders Dementia Training for local police, fire, EMTs and private ambulance companies. Ms. Quinn is the host of a Westford Cable Access Television show called ‘Senior Spot.” Independent of ComForCare activities, Ms. Quinn serves as the Co-Chair of the Professional Women’s Network in the Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce. She is also a Honoring Choices Massachusetts Community Partner and a member of the Care Transitions Committee at Emerson Hospital.
For caregivers who brought their loved ones, CESI provided therapeutic activities tailored to the needs of people with early/young onset Alzheimer’s disease.
The Family Forum for Caregivers was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Foundation for MetroWest.
Event –
Family Forum for Caregivers
Time –
Saturday, September 24th, 2016
11:00am to 2:00pm
Location –
Concord Council on Aging
Harvey Wheeler Community Center
1276 Main St. Concord, MA
Contact –
Abby Ferreira
Phone: (781) 863-1166
Email: A.Ferreira@ElderDayServices.com
