Contact UsDr. Macie P. Smith LBSW, C-SWCM, SW-G

Arnold School of Public HealthOffice for the Study of Aging730 Devine Street, Suite 111Columbia, SC 29208803-777-5334

http://osa.sph.sc.edu

Copyright © 2014 Office for the Study of Aging, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina. All rights reserved.

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, sexual orientation or veteran status.

Office for the Study of AgingUniversity of South Carolina

Dementia Dialogues A basic five session course for caregivers leading to a

Dementia Specialist Certificate

Alzheimer’s Quick Facts

Worldwide it is estimated that over 35 million people have Alzheimer’s disease with approximately 5 million in the United States.

It is estimated that 16 million Americans will have Alzheimer’s by 2050.

Every 67 seconds someone develops Alzheimer’s disease in the United States.

1 in 9 individuals ages 65+ has Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States.

1 in 3 seniors die with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most expensive medical condition in the nation.

There are approximately 500,000 people dying each year because they have Alzheimer’s.

Are you prepared?

Attain the Knowledge...Provide Awareness...Promote Understanding

Dementia Specialist Certificate

Certificates of Completion

A certificate of completion will be presented for each session. Upon completion of all 5 sessions participants in the Dementia Dialogues program will be awarded a Dementia Specialist Certificate.

Continuing EducationA total of 7.5 continuing education hours are also available upon completion of the Dementia Dialogues series. Each session is worth approximately 1.5 continuing education credit hours.

TrainingDementia Dialogues is hosted throughout the state by certified Dementia Dialogue trainers. You can also contact the Office for the Study of Aging to set-up organizational or community trainings.

Dementia DialoguesDementia Dialogues is a 5-session training course designed to educate individuals who care for persons who exhibit signs and symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. Over 21,000 individuals have been trained in at least one session and over 10,000 individuals have completed the course. Each session is approximately one and one half hours in length.

Recommended Participants Include:• Caregivers• Social Workers• Certified Nursing Assistants• Personal Care Assistants• Public Health Professionals• Counselors• Nurses• Medical Professionals• Clergy• Families• Activity Directors• Anyone who is interested

Fee:Dementia Dialogues is provided at no cost to participants through support from the Office for the Study of Aging at the Arnold School of Public Health and through funding from the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Session Topics

Session 1The Basic Facts: An Introduction to Dementia

Session 2Keeping the Dialogue Going: Communication Skills

Session 3Preparing the Environment: Safety, Activities of Daily Living, and Quality of Life

Session 4It’s Nothing Personal: Addressing Challenging Behavior

Session 5Now What Do I Do?: Creative Problem Solving

The Office for the Study of Aging is home to the Alzheimer’s Disease Registry, a comprehensive statewide registry of SC residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders.