Zoom Workshop for service providers and family or friend caregivers of someone living with memory loss

Important Issues Related to Medications and Memory Loss in Older Adults

This workshop is sponsored by Catholic Charities Hawaii (CCH), funded by a grant from the Administration for Community Living, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, the Alzheimer's Disease Program Initiative.** The CCH project is "Hawaii Circle of Care for Dementia."

It is intended and helpful for people who are caring for a loved one with memory loss in the home or community, or who are concerned family members, friends or neighbors. It will also be beneficial for professionals in the fields of home and community based services, adult protective services, healthcare, and legal services.

A LINK TO HANDOUTS WILL BE EMAILED TO REGISTRANTS PRIOR TO EACH SESSION. Sorry, there are no CEs being offered for this workshop.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and safety concerns, this free workshop series is being offered virtually via Zoom in Hawaii statewide.

This session, Important Issues Related to Medications and Memory Loss in Older Adults, will cover the following topics:

• Normal changes in aging related to cognition

• How dementia as a diagnosis is distinguished from normal aging

• Risk factors for dementia

• How medications can interfere with memory function

• What strategies can be used to reduce adverse drug reactions

• How can caregivers help

Expert Hawaii presenter:

Valisa Saunders MN, APRN, GNP-BC, has been involved in care of the elderly for over 35 years in Hawaii. She is a graduate of the UCLA School of Nursing Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Program, and is adjunct faculty for the University of Hawaii Schools of Nursing and Medicine.

A native of Southern California, Valisa started her nursing career at the Pullman Convalescent Center in Eastern Washington. She was the evening charge nurse which started her interest in Geriatrics, and prompted her return to school.

Valisa has spent the majority of her nursing career in Hawaii at the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific, Kaiser Permanente, Leahi & Maluhia Hospitals,, the UHM Nurse Practitioner program, and recently retired from The Queen’s Medical Center. She has worked as a manager and nurse practitioner in acute care, outpatient clinical settings, home visits and post-acute and long-term care. She built the first nurse practitioner/physician team program long-term care service in Hawaii for Kaiser Permanente in 1991. She replicated the program for Queen’s over the past 4 years, which is thriving. She has been a clinical preceptor for most of the geriatric APRN students throughout her career in Hawaii.

Ms Saunders has also been involved in nursing practice legislation since 1985 in Hawaii and served on the Hawaii State Board of nursing, 1995-2001. She remains involved in policy and legislation related to nursing, aging and end of life care, and is on the APRN committee for the Hawaii State Center for Nursing

In retirement, Valisa is spending more time on her passion for open ocean swimming and is the Ambassador for such for the Waikiki Swim Club.

For questions about these Zoom workshops, contact Jody Mishan: jmishan@hawaii.rr.com or (808) 295-2624

 **This series of workshops is sponsored by Catholic Charities Hawaii, funded by a grant from the Administration for Community Living, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, the Alzheimer's Disease Program Initiative.

FAQs

 How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Contact Jody Mishan: jmishan@hawaii.rr.com or (808) 295-2624