Book Signing Jytte Lokvig, Ph. D. Thursday August 21, 3:30pm At the Pioneer Network Conference Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington D.C. 2008 New Mexico Conference on Aging A Diverse Community: Exploring Options, Expanding Horizons Sandia Resort and Casino located on Sandia Tribal land, at the north end of Albuquerque off Interstate 25. (at Tramway) August 26-29, 2008 The New Mexico Conference on Aging offers seniors and professionals who work with them a chance to learn and have fun in an environment of support for senior independence and dignity. The 2008 Conference on Aging is at Sandia Resort and Casino, located on Sandia Tribal land, at the north end of Albuquerque off Interstate 25. For more information: http://www.nmaging.state.nm.us/CoA/2008_COA.html Jytte Lokvig, Ph.D. Presentations Details Happy Home: Finding the Right Care Facility This session will review different types of residential care facilities and discuss how to visit and evaluate potential homes. We’ll discuss what to look for and, maybe even more important, what to ignore. We’ll also discuss how to help the loved one transition into a new environment with minimal distress. Tuesday 26, 1 pm, Salon D, Table 14 Successful Caregiving: Memory and Altered Reality We’ll discuss characteristic patterns of memory-loss in people with Alzheimer’s. This memory-loss typically causes shifts in perception of reality and often leads to retreats into the safety of past memories. We’ll discuss how to shift our communication and interaction with our care receivers to ease some of the most common conflicts that arise from this confusion. Tuesday 26, 3 pm Salon D, Table 26 Joyful Task: Successful Communication with those who have Alzheimer’s Dr Lokvig teams up with Lisa Kolberg, geriatric counselor and Betty Kuehne of the Alzheimer’s Association. The session details the keys to effective communication with memory-impaired adults. The tone is constructive and positive. The participants will find themselves with a greater awareness of how they affect their situations through their attitude and communication. They will also get a look at the world through the eyes of the memory-impaired. This session will help them make a transformation in their lives as caregivers and in their attitude toward Alzheimer’s. Wednesday 27, 1:30pm. – Room: Hummingbird A Joyful Task: Successful Activities  for People With Alzheimer’s This session will present ideas for a variety of activities that help memory-impaired persons maintain a sense of involvement and accomplishment. Ranging from no-fail art projects to simple diversions, these activities are adaptable to the individual interests of any group or person, regardless of degree of dementia. Thursday 28, 1:30pm. – Room: Eagle A