HOMECARE OPTIONS PRESENTS CONFERENCE FOR CAREGIVERS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

MARCH 31, 9 AM – 2 PM

(Essex County, NJ- MARCH 31, 2022) To support caregivers of those with intellectual and development disabilities (I/DD) – a group that is particularly prone to Alzheimer’s disease – a no-cost, in-person conference will be held on Thursday, March 31^st, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the Student Center Gym at Caldwell University, 120 Bloomfield Avenue in Caldwell.

The conference will include an overview of Alzheimer’s disease in the I/DD population, how to design a comprehensive plan, and a review of community resources.  Speakers will be Seth Keller, MD, Neurology Associates of South Jersey and co-President of the National Task Group; Ellen Nalven, Executive Director of Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of New Jersey (PLAN/NJ); and Leone Murphy, administrator for the statewide Clinical Outreach Program for the Elderly (S-COPE) for Trinitas Regional Medical Center.

“Studies have shown that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, particularly those with Down syndrome, are at increased risk of dementia,” said Diane Silbernagel, executive director of HomeCare Options, one of the conference sponsors.  “Average dementia onset may be as much as 10 years prior to that experienced by the general population.  That’s why it’s so important for caregivers to have the people they care for regularly screened for dementia and to be proactive in addressing any issues.”

This conference is a collaboration between HomeCare Options, Alzheimer New Jersey®, and Caldwell University, School of Nursing and Public Health.  It is supported in part by a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Alzheimer’s Disease Program Initiative, Department of Health and Human Services. 

Alzheimer’s New Jersey is collaborating with Home Care Options to provide services under the Alzheimer’s Disease Program Initiative including coordination on this conference day.

Dr. Keller, a board certified neurologist in private practice, specializes in the evaluation and care of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities with neurologic complications.  He is actively involved in national and international I/DD health education as a speaker and webinar and workshop participants, and frequently writes articles and book chapters relating to aging and dementia among those with I/DD.

Ms. Murphy is an integral member of the statewide Clinical Outreach Program for the Elderly (S-COPE), Crisis Assessment Response and Enhanced Services (CARES) and Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Project (GWEP) for Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO). She holds Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in nursing.

Ms. Nalven educates families on the importance of life planning to promote independent living and quality of life for individuals with disabilities.  She serves as a legal guardian and trustee for special needs trusts and oversees the delivery of case management, advocacy and life planning services as executive director of PLAN/NJ.

While there is no fee for attending the conference, pre-registration is required.  Register online at alzny.org or call 888-280-6055.

About the Sponsors

Since 1985, Alzheimer’s New Jersey has played a crucial role in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease in the Garden State by providing education and support programs benefiting the 600,000 New Jersey residents battling Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Alzheimer’s New Jersey is not part of the Alzheimer’s Association.  Services are available statewide.  To learn more visit www.alznj.org.

Homecare Options has served the home care needs of patients in northern New Jersey since 1954.  It is one of a handful of agencies across the nation to receive the Alzheimer’s Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI). This program is intended to increase dementia-related awareness, develop dementia-capability in communities and agencies, and provide in-home support services to caregivers. ADPI also uses evidence-based interventions to help meet the needs of those who support persons living with Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias, and developmental disabilities. 

Caldwell University provides students with a strong Catholic liberal arts education, offering 30 undergraduate degrees and 30 graduate and certification programs, including a doctoral program in Applied Behavior Analysis, the first in New Jersey.  It enrolls approximately 2,200 full-time, part-time and graduate students Caldwell School of Nursing and Public Health offers three pre-licensure educational tracks and an RN/BSN degree completion track.