Alzheimer's expert/author Joanne Koenig Coste will hold her "Learning to
Speak Alzheimer's" seminar from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday,Dec. 10, at Ridgefield Crossings senior living community.
Ms. Koenig Coste was named a "Woman to Watch in the 21st Century” by NBC
Nightly News with Tom Brokaw.
Based on her book by the same name, Ms. Koenig Coste will discuss her
pioneering, five tenet process of “habilitation." Practical care tips,
learninghow to communicate through positive
reinforcement and setting realistic expectations for both the caregiver
and the patient are key strategies in her proven approach.
The event is free and open to the public. There will be a reception and
refreshments from 5:30 to 6 p.m. followed by the lecture and book
signing until 7.
Ms. Koenig Coste developed her techniques when her middle aged husband
developed progressive dementia, leaving her to care for him and their
four children.
For more than 30 years she has refined her methodology, working with and
helping thousands of patients, care givers and care partners. She has
been interviewed on National Public Radio's "Talk of the Nation," in the
New York Times and other publications around the country. Learning to
Speak Alzheimer, A Groundbreaking Approach for Everyone Dealing with the
Disease, was published by Houghton Mifflin in November 2003 to coincide
with National Alzheimer's Awareness month. More than four million
Americans suffer from Alzheimer's and related memory disorders, with an
estimated 20 million more family members, loved ones and care givers
also affected by the disease.
"This offers a truly exceptional opportunity to see and hear an
Alzheimer's expert of national stature," says Celina Watson, executive
director of Ridgefield Crossings senior living community. "Her knowledge
and approach offer crucial tools in dealing with an illness that will
continue to affect more and more Americans as the population ages. This
is a very special occasion for us."
The seminar will provide an overview of Ms. Koenig Coste's "five tenets
of habilitation": Make the physical environment work; know that
communication remains possible; focus only on remaining skills; live in
the patient's world and enrich the patient's life. The author/lecturer
received a National Award for Health Heroes from Reader's Digest.
Articles about her work also have appeared in the Wall Street Journal
and Newsweek.
Ridgefield Crossings is now undergoing renovations that when completed
in January 2004 will offer 99 independent and assisted living apartments
and 24 apartments for residents of The Harbor Program, which will
provide special care for people with Alzheimer's disease and related
memory impairment.
Call 431 2255 to make reservations for "Learning to Speak Alzheimer's"
or for more information.
