2025 Webinar - Dementia Care 101: Distressed Reactions: Finding A Creative Approach

April 17, 2025 | 9:00 -10:00 AM | Zoom

LeadingAge Kansas is proud to partner with LeadingAge Southeast to bring you this webinar as a part of the 2025 Dementia Care 101 Webinar Series. 

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Registration for this webinar closes on April 15, 2025.

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Session Description

Join Carrie Chiusano, a seasoned Dementia Care Specialist, for a deep dive into the root causes of frustration and distressed reactions in individuals living with dementia. This advanced session will explore how cognitive changes and environmental triggers can exacerbate distress and how the behavior of caregivers, staff, and family members significantly impacts these reactions. Participants will examine the complex interplay between communication styles, emotional cues, and cognitive impairments to better understand how missteps can unintentionally increase fear and anxiety.  Through case studies and real-world scenarios, attendees will gain actionable strategies to de-escalate distressed reactions by employing advanced engagement techniques and adapting communication approaches. This session will also cover tools for identifying distress patterns, fostering emotional safety, and creating supportive environments that mitigate triggers. By mastering these practices, professionals will be equipped to enhance the quality of life for individuals with dementia while building stronger, more compassionate care relationships.  

Session Objectives

1. Analyze the cognitive, environmental, and emotional factors that contribute to distressed reactions and identify patterns that signal escalating distress. 
2. Develop advanced communication strategies to de-escalate distressed reactions, reduce fear and anxiety, and foster emotional safety through tailored, empathetic interactions. 
3. Learn evidence-based techniques for identifying and addressing distress patterns, creating supportive environments, and enhancing the overall quality of life for individuals living with dementia.  

Faculty | Carrie Chiusano, PCHA, CADDCT, CDP, ADC, Executive Director | Dementia Care Center of Excellence, Presbyterian SeniorCare Network

Carrie has 30+ years of long-term care experience with Presbyterian SeniorCare Network, most of which have been dedicated to creating and evolving the Woodside Place PhilosophyTM of specialty care for persons living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Prior to being appointed Executive Director for the Presbyterian SeniorCare Network Dementia Care Center of Excellence in January 2016, Carrie served as the Administrator for Woodside Place of Oakmont, which opened in 1991 and was one of the nation’s first dementia-specific residential care communities specifically designed to meet the holistic needs of older adults living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. She was instrumental in championing the Culture Change initiative for the Network, which led to us becoming CARF accredited in 2011 (ongoing accreditation through 2024) in Person Centered Care. In addition to her service on numerous industry association boards, Carrie is a certified trainer for the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners in dementia care.

Continuing Education
This educational event has been approved for up to 1.0 continuing education hours in the core of Administration for Licensed Adult Care Home Administrators, Adult Care Home Operators and Dietitians by the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services. Health Occupations and Credentialing approved provider number (LTS A0009).

LeadingAge Kansas is approved as a provider of continuing nursing education by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. This course offering is approved for 1.0 contact hours applicable for APRN, RN or LPN relicensure. Kansas State Board of Nursing provider number: LT0102-1116.

*Continuing education hours are subject to change.
*Dates and Times are subject to change.

LeadingAge Kansas Webinar/Workshop Registration Policy

The 2025 Dementia Care 101 Webinar Series (including this webinar) is hosted by LeadingAge Southeast, and is therefore subject to the policies and procedures of their organization. As such, registration for this webinar includes digital handouts and tools, one connection to the live webinar, and instructions for receiving CE credit/ attendance certificate for one person. A recording of this webinar is NOT included in the registration fee. 

LeadingAge Kansas Cancellation Policies

Substitutions for events are always welcome. These individuals can be anyone employed on your campus, board members, resident family members, or residents. Substitutes must be made for the whole event.

Virtual Event Cancellations: 

• Five or more business days prior to the event start, a 50% refund will be issued. 
• Four or fewer business days prior to the event start, no refund will be issued.