Home Geri-Series Spring 2026
Spring 2026 – Dementia Series
Series Details
How to Participate
Program Schedule
Dementia Topics
April 2nd – June 4th, 2026 | 10 Lectures
- Apr 2 Age-Friendly Healthcare: Mentation and the 3Ds (Emily H. Trittschuh, PhD)
- Apr 9 The Whole Person in Dementia (Stephen Thielke, MD, MS, MA)
- Apr 16 From Mouth to Mind: Oral Health and Dementia (Susanne M. Kölare Jeffrey, DDS, PhD)
- Apr 23 Dementia and Multiple Chronic Conditions (Amy Thomas, MD)
- Apr 30 Caring for the Caregiver (Emily Ishado, MSW, LICSW)
- May 7 Guardianship (Suzanne Thompson Wininger, RN, JD)
- May 14 Dynamics in Memory Care (Patricia Hunter, MSW and Stephanie Wheeler, Ph.D. )
- May 21 Herbals, Supplements, and Dementia (Laura A. Hart, PharmD, MS, BCPS, BCGP)
- May 28 Enrollment of Older Adults in Dementia Clinical Trials (Darla I. Chapman, DNP, ARNP)
- Jun 4 Update on Diagnosis and Therapeutics in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (James B. Leverenz, MD)
Learning Objectives
- Characterize dementia, delirium, and depression
- Define the key findings in dementia
- Discuss the oral-cognitive link and its implication for aging and neurological health
- Describe the prevalence of comorbidities commonly seen in patients living with dementia
- Identify healthcare considerations that support dementia caregiver wellness
- Explain the difference between the best interest standard and substituted judgment in guardianship
- Discuss the advocacy role of the long-term care state ombuds office regarding interpersonal dynamics in memory care
- Describe the current evidence regarding herbals and supplements for enhancing cognition and preventing dementia
- Identify how an older person can find out about participating in a clinical trial focused on maintaining cognitive function
- Discuss disease modifying therapeutics in relation to imaging biomarkers in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia
Moderator
Barbara Cochrane, PhD, RN, FAAN
Our series is organized, planned, and moderated by Barbara Cochrane. Dr. Cochrane is our Northwest Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Center’s Co-Director and Professor Emeritus in the School of Nursing. Her work focuses on older women’s health and healthy aging, specifically positive aspects of aging, symptoms in older women, breast cancer prevention and survivorship, and cardiovascular health.
Professional Credit
NW GWEC will not be offering continuing education credits (CE) for this year’s geriatric healthcare series. Series attendees will be provided a certificate of attendance and series background documentation at the end of the series to submit to employers and/or their respective state licensing boards for continuing education (CE) consideration.
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