NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - September 11, 2015) - The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA)'s new DVD-based training program, "AFA Partners in Care: Supporting Individuals Living with Dementia," has been approved by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) for 5.5 social work -- pain and symptom management continuing education contact hours. The contact hours will be earned by people who complete the program and pass the associated exam.
AFA's new training program takes a person-centered approach to dementia care, placing individuals with dementia and their families at the center of the decision-making process. This approach is designed to improve quality of life for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other illnesses. The program also provides self-care strategies for caregivers, helping them to avoid burnout and improve the quality of the care they provide.
"We are proud that our new training program has been approved by the National Association of Social Workers as a source of continuing education contact hours," said Molly Fogel, L.C.S.W., AFA's director of educational and social services. "With the incidence of dementia on the rise, it is more important than ever that social workers have dementia care-specific training and this program provides practical tips and strategies they can implement with individuals living with dementia, their families, and care partners."
The video features appearances by a host of dementia care experts, including James Galvin, M.D., M.P.H., associate professor for clinical research and professor in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University, and medical director of the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center and professor at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing; Mark Lachs, M.D., professor of medicine and co-chief of the division of geriatrics and gerontology at Weill Cornell Medical College; Richard Powers, M.D., a geriatric psychologist and neuropathologist and member of AFA's medical and scientific advisory board; and dementia care consultant and educator Teepa Snow, M.S. O.T.R./L., F.A.O.T.A. In addition, individuals living with dementia, their families and including direct care workers provide personal perspectives and insights.
For more information, visit www.careprofessionals.org or contact Kristen Cribbs at 866-232-8484 or by e-mail: kcribbs@alzfdn.org. For further questions regarding NASW contact hours for licensed social workers, please contact Molly Fogel at 866-232-8484 or by e-mail at mfogel@alzfdn.org.