The Dementia-Friendly Lehigh Valley Professional Education Committee is working to help our local physicians improve awareness of and access to dementia services while encouraging patients and caregivers to access information and tools available to connect to programs supporting dementia.
The Professional Education Committee educates healthcare providers to recognize warning signs of cognitive impairment or caregiver burden, teach dementia-friendly communication skills, and provide information on family care supports and services available in the community. Encouraging healthcare providers to become dementia-friendly practices will increase knowledge about tools available for detection and assessment, while fostering the connection of patients to non-medical community supports and services. Earlier detection and diagnosis will allow patients and families to respond to current challenges and plan for the future.