Workshop Opportunity: Understanding IDD and Dementia and Adapting to Behavior Changes

Through a grant from The Administration for Community Living, Bridgewell is working with local aging agency (AGESPAN) and educational organization (Shriver Center at UMASS) and fellow service provider (Fidelity House) to develop trainings for Caregivers of People Aging with IDD.  Families and guardians can receive a $25 gift card when you complete these informative new trainings! A similar training is also being rolled out for Bridgewell staff.

The training’s focus is Dementia and IDD: understanding changes in a person diagnosed with dementia, how to respond to those changes, and how to take care of yourself as a caregiver. Since people with IDD tend to display dementia earlier than other people, we hope that you will consider taking part in this…..it also includes tips that can be helpful for all caregivers!

The training includes 3 sections:

• Understanding IDD and Dementia and Adapting to Behavior Changes
• Best Communication Techniques and Support for Caregivers (Coming Soon!)
• Preserving Quality of Life (Coming soon!)

Each course is about 15-20 minutes long and available online. You can watch on your own schedule and at your own pace. To learn more about Dementia and IDD and earn (for families and guardians only) a $25 gift card, please email:

CDDERTraining@umassmed.edu for details on how to register or reach out to Christine J. Clifford at the Shiver Center at 774-455-6525 for more information.

Thanks for your time in considering this important topic!

Kristen Janjar, MPA
Director of Professional Development
Bridgewell’s Center for Professional Development
10 Dearborn Rd., Peabody, MA 01960

kjanjar@bridgewell.org
phone (781) 776-4137