The Aide's Role in Communicating Through Dementia
The Aide’s Role in Communicating through the Progress of Dementia What should I say when the person wants to go home? When the person accuses me of stealing? When the person asks the same question over and over. This interactive session will help in-home aides improve communication and interactions with people living with dementia throughout the progression of disease.
Speaker:
Melanie Bunn, RN, MS, is Dementia Training Specialist for Dementia Alliance of North Carolina, Consulting Associate at the Duke University School of Nursing, and Trainer, Positive Approach to Care. Ms. Bunn also leads her consulting company, Bunn Consulting. Ms. Bunn received her undergraduate degree in nursing from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, her Master’s degree in Family Health Nursing from Clemson University and a Post-Master’s Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Certificate from Duke University.
She is a skilled and experienced advanced practice nurse and nurse educator, conducting over 200 presentations and trainings annually to health professionals, community organizations, first responders, families and other groups focused on the care and needs of people living with dementia and their families. She was part of the award winning Accepting the Challenge DVD with Teepa Snow. Her research efforts have focused on improving care of older people, especially those with cognitive impairment, through improving the education of inter-professional teams and families. She has volunteered as an Alzheimer’s Support Group Facilitator for over 25 years.