Co-Sponsored by:   Kachina Point Health Care & Rehabilitation Center;
                                         Sedona Winds; Alzheimer’s Association, Northern Arizona Region

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:  Join us in beautiful Sedona, Arizona, for the “10^th Annual Sedona Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease”.  The program will begin an overview emergent psychiatric situations may be severe as well as subtle in the older adult with cognitive impairment.  The patient may not be able to give a defined history, thus sorting out problems may require some detective work.  Finding clues to such problems require heightened clinical suspicion as well as good team work.  Common medical and psychiatric problems will be discussed as well as the not so common problems that lead to chronic suffering and decline of quality of life.

This second segment on nutritional aspects of Alzheimer’s disease, emphasises the role of antioxidant vitamins, bioflavonoids, and essential fatty acids in neuronal health, along with the role these nutrients play once Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed. There are well studied nutritional supplements that show promise for the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease.  There will also be discussion of the causal role of chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and smoking in the development of Alzheimer’s Disease.

The individual with dementia may present challenging behaviors such as agitation, aggression, yelling, paranoia and wandering.  It is important for professionals, para-professionals, and caregivers working with such patients to understand these behaviors of the patient. When these behaviors are demonstrated by the patient, it may be the result of poor communication, inappropriate expectations, and counterproductive care strategies.  By examining the relationship between family caregivers, discussing pre-existing family issues, and identifying environmental cues reinforcing behaviors, the patient may have a better response to care in the home and in the community.

The final segment of the program will examine the future trends in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.  Topics to be covered are: diagnostic modalities; newly emerging treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease, and discussion of the treatment of mild cognitive diagnosis and primary prevention strategies.

FACULTY:

Donald J. Curran, DO, is the psychiatric director of the Senior Lifestyles Behavioral Health Unit; and practices geriatric psychiatry and sleep medicine at the Verde Valley Medical Center, Cottonwood, Arizona.  He has practiced 38 years and is board certified in family medicine, geriatrics, psychiatry, and sleep medicine.  Dr. Curran is a member of the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association, the American College of Neuropsychiatrists, the American Psychiatric Association, the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and the American Osteopathic Association. Recently he completed a fellowship in sleep medicine and chronobiology. 

Frank Nagy, MD, is currently the Medical Director of Yavapai County Long Term Care (ALTC) and a physician at the Prescott Valley Urgent Care. He carries a caseload of nursing home patients in several facilities from Sedona to Prescott. Most of these patients have dementia. Dr. Nagy was Medical Director of Kachina Point Nursing Facility for 24 years. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine & Certified Medical Director in longterm care. He has been a practicing physician for thirty-five years, with eight of those years in Canada.  Dr. Nagy is a 1969 Graduate of McGill University Medical School of Montreal, Canada.  He served as a Colonel in the US Army Reserves for eleven years and is a veteran of Gulf War-I.

Marwan N. Sabbagh, MD, is a neurologist and is currently the director of Clinical Research of the Cleo Robert Center for Clinical Research at the Sun Health Research Institute in Sun City, Arizona.  His practice is focused on dementia, and he and his staff conduct clinical trials and clinical research in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Dr. Sabbagh has authored or coauthored over forty articles on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:  At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to: 

• list diagnostic criteria for frontotemporal dementia,

• describe unique individual features of frontotemporal dementia,

• utilize appropriate clinical information to differentiate frontotemporal dementia from
  Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia,

• identify and understand the common behavioral issues within the dementia process,

• identify effective communication techniques for persons with dementia,

• discuss appropriate techniques for incorporating activity and improving success with
  activities of daily living (ADL) care,

• utilize skills for managing agitation and wandering issues that are typical in persons with dementia,

• discuss effective interventions for managing aggressive behavior, hypersexual behavior, and psychosis,

• consciously identify fears and anxieties without repression or denial regarding their degree of risk
  in developing Alzheimer’s disease, 

• develop strategies to address the challenges in caring for and applying structure regarding
  the in-house and residential treatment of patients, 

• utilize strategies as part of the overall plan of care that reduces the pressures and demands
  inherent in their area of care giving,

• overcome the resistance to engage in self-care to enhance their quality of life and to prevent burn out, 

• reinforce the principle that the family caregiver must develop a healthy perspective in their role
  and learn necessary skills to care for their family member, 

• utilize family and community resources to provide an appropriate standard of care,    

• discuss the knowledge base and science that underpins the understanding of dementias,
  and particularly Alzheimer’s disease,

• understand the role imaging plays in the overall clinical management of patients,

• discuss what research questions have, and may be answered, through imaging. 

INTENDED AUDIENCE:   physicians, psychologists, nurses, social workers, licensed professional counselors, and all healthcare providers who work with Alzheimer’s patients.

AGENDA: 

8:00 AM -  8:30 AM            Registration and Continental Breakfast
                                              Introductions: Wayne Sisson, MA
                                              Moderator: Ferenc “Frank” Nagy, MD

8:30 AM - 10:00 AM           Topic: Psychiatric Emergencies of the Dementia Patient 
                                              Presenter: Donald J. Curran, DO

10:00 AM - 10:15 AM        Morning Break

10:15 AM - 11:45 AM       Topic: Nutritional Aspects of Alzheimer’s Disease
                                             Presenter: Ferenc “Frank” Nagy, MD

11:45 PM - 1:15 PM          Lunch (on your own)

1:15 PM -  2:45 PM           Topic: The Behaviorally Challenged Patient; The Behaviorally Challenged Family  
                                             Presenter: Pamela N. Miller, LCSW

2:45 PM - 3:00 PM            Afternoon Break

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM           Topic: Future Trends in Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer's disease
                                            Presenter: Marwan N. Sabbagh, MD

4:30 PM                             Program Closing

CONTINUING EDUCATION:   The Southwest Health Professions Education Center, Inc. (SEC) certifies this program for 6 contact hours.  A certificate of attendance will be awarded. 

[ CME ]  --  The VA Employee Education System is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

The VA Employee Education System designates this educational activity for a maximum of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ^TM.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

[ CNE ] -- The Southwest Health Professions Education Center, Inc. (SEC) is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider # CEP 11270.  This program is approved for 6 contact hours.

[ APA ] -- The Southwest Health Professions Education Center, Inc. (SEC) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. SEC maintains responsibility for the program and all of its content.  This program provides 6 CE credits.

[ ASWB ] -- VA Employee Education System, Provider Number 1040, is approved as a provider for continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards 400 South Ridge Parkway, Suite B, Culpeper, VA 22701. www.aswb.org. ASWB Approval Period: 4/7/07 - 4/1/10. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. Social workers will receive 6 continuing education clock hours in participating in this course.

[ NBCC ] – The VA Employee Education System is approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) to offer continuing education accreditation for National Certified and Licensed Counselors.  We adhere to NBCC Continuing Education Guidelines.  This program is approved for 6 contact hours.  Provider #5927.

REGISTRATION: