NTG-Canada Dementia Training
This training is intended for staff who support someone who is aging with an intellectual disability.
SARC is pleased to have an NTG-Canada Affiliated Provincial Trainer available to provide training for staff who support people experiencing disability as they age.
This program is delivered throughout the year in both an in-person and live virtual format.
NTG-Canada Dementia
People experiencing disability face many of the same age-related challenges as other older adults. It is crucial that staff understand age-related changes, know how to promote healthy aging, and be able to recognize and address symptoms of dementia. Early detection of dementia is key, particularly for adults experiencing down syndrome as the prevalence of dementia is significantly higher than in the general population.
Interested in hosting a session at your organization?
SARC Learning Central’s facilitators can bring this session to your organization! This session can be delivered to a group of employees at your organization in-person or virtually. Contact us today!
In this session, we will cover five (5) topic areas, including:
We will explore aging and how to promote healthy aging for the people you support. You will learn:
- Age-related changes that all people will experience
- How to distinguish between normal changes and pathological changes as people age
- Key aspects of aging for people who experience intellectual disability
- The key determinants of health and the factors that impact healthy aging
- Barriers to healthy aging
- Recommendations to promote healthy aging for people experiencing disability
We will take a closer look at dementia and how it impacts people experiencing disability. You will learn:
- What dementia is and why you should know about dementia
- Different types of dementia and how to recognize the symptoms of dementia
- How dementia progresses through different stages
- Understanding the prevalence of dementia for adults experiencing intellectual disability
- Identifying early signs of dementia and understanding the process of diagnosis for adults experiencing intellectual disability and dementia
- Strategies to consider when supporting people throughout the different stages of dementia
We will explore your role in healthcare advocacy for the people you support. You will learn:
- The four steps of healthcare advocacy
- The importance of quality observations as they relate to advocacy
- How input and observations from a variety of sources will assist with accurate assessment, diagnosis, and intervention for people experiencing disability and dementia
- The importance of early detection of the signs of dementia for people experiencing disability
- How to use the NTG-EDSD
- Using input and observations from a variety of sources in the NTG-EDSD to assist with early screening for dementia
We will examine your role in supporting decision-making for people experiencing disability and dementia. You will learn:
- The barriers that people may experience related to decision-making
- The rights that all people have when making decisions
- The importance of advanced care planning and some of the decisions that will need to be addressed
- Types of decision-making in Saskatchewan, including supported decision-making, co-decision making, and guardianship
- Information about powers of attorney, health care directives, and health care proxies in Saskatchewan
We will discuss the impact an environment can have on people experiencing disability and dementia. You will learn:
- How and why an environment impacts the person experiencing dementia.
- Key aspects of dementia friendly environments, including important safety considerations.
- Practical ideas and suggestions for adapting spaces to be more dementia friendly.
The introduction to aging and dementia areas provide excellent information for anyone who supports someone who is aging with an intellectual disability. The third area will explore healthcare advocacy and dementia screening and is particularly relevant for support staff who are involved in supporting people with healthcare advocacy and related decision-making. The fourth area will look at supporting decision-making with someone who is experiencing dementia, and some of the decisions that will need to be addressed as the dementia progresses. The final area will discuss dementia capable environments and some practical ideas on how to adapt environments to be more dementia friendly.
Lori Morphy, Trainer/Resource Developer – Service Delivery, SARC
Lori Morphy has more than 15 years of experience in the Disability Service sector in a variety of roles, including involvement in disability sports and adapted physical activity programs, and work as a Direct Support Professional, an assistant coordinator with Disability Support Services at the University of Alberta, and coordinator for mentorship and employment programs for youth experiencing disability.
Lori holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Master of Arts in Physical Education, both specializing in physical activity for people experiencing disability. She has taught post-secondary courses in adapted physical activity, health education, human growth and development, and therapeutic activities through the University of Alberta and Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
Lori joined SARC in 2018 as a Trainer and Resource Developer. In 2019 she received TLR and PART Instructor certification from the Saskatchewan Association for Safe Workplaces in Health. In 2020 she completed training as an NTG Affiliate Provincial Trainer for the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices – Canada (NTG-Canada). She brings energy, enthusiasm, and an interactive approach to all programs that she facilitates, and she looks forward to sharing her knowledge with others. Lori has also contributed to the development of several of SARC’s training programs and resources.
Lori and her husband have two young children, and she enjoys spending her time being active in gymnastics and many outdoor activities. She is an active community member, working as a gymnastics coach for athletes experiencing disability, rhythmic gymnastics coach, and volunteering for various community events.
