RVNAhealth Dementia Education & Resources Program

Legal and Long-Term Financial Planning in Dementia Care
Thursday, March 20th
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Ridgefield Library, 472 Main Street, Ridgefield

3rd presentation of RVNAhealth’s 3-Part Series at the Ridgefield Library focusing on Cognitive Decline and Dementia Care

Part 3: Legal and Long-Term Financial Planning in Dementia Care. Planning for the future is a vital aspect of dementia care and understanding the legal and financial landscape can feel overwhelming. In this session, Josh Weinshank, Esq., Senior Partner at Cramer & Anderson LLP, will address critical legal and financial considerations for effective long-term care planning. Attendees will learn about essential legal documents, such as power of attorney and advance directives, as well as financial strategies to support dementia care.

Amy Feder, LCSW, a Hospice and Palliative Social Worker, will enrich the discussion by sharing a story or two as relevant throughout the presentation, offering insights into the emotional aspects of planning for care. Together, Josh and Amy will provide the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate these important decisions, ensuring the best possible support for your loved ones as their needs evolve.

Please Register <<HERE>> To Attend

About our Presenters:

Joshua Weinshank, Partner at Cramer & Anderson
Josh is a legal expert renowned for his proficiency in Trust and Estate Planning, Elder Law, and Probate administration. With a focus on preserving intergenerational wealth, Joshua provides strategic counsel on tax optimization and asset protection, ensuring clients’ long-term financial security. Notably, he holds leadership positions in several community organizations, including serving as Vice Chairman of the Board for Nuvance Health’s Danbury Hospital and New Milford Hospital Foundation, where he advocates for holistic health initiatives. Joshua’s dedication to both legal excellence and community well-being exemplifies his multifaceted commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Amy Feder, LCSW, CDP, CCM, Geriatric Care Manager, RVNAhealth
Amy is a dedicated Geriatric Care Manager at RVNAhealth, where she leverages her extensive background in social work and dementia care to support aging individuals and their families. With over two decades of experience, Amy helps clients navigate the complexities of senior care, from understanding health and cognitive changes to connecting them with essential resources. Her approach is both compassionate and comprehensive, offering guidance on everything from healthcare and legal resources to end-of-life planning. Amy’s commitment to educating families and providing tailored solutions ensures her clients feel empowered as they navigate their unique aging journeys.

Before joining RVNAhealth, Amy worked as a Hospice and Palliative Care Social Worker and served as a Geriatric Care Manager for the Senior Choice at Home program through Jewish Senior Services. Her certifications as a Dementia Practitioner and Care Manager make her an invaluable advocate for the senior population. Amy has also facilitated caregiver support groups and is an active member of the Alzheimer’s Association and NASW. She finds it a privilege to care for seniors, offering not only her professional expertise but also heartfelt support to those in her care.

RVNAhealth Dementia Education & Resources Program

Navigating Communication Challenges in Dementia Care
Thursday, March 6th
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Ridgefield Library, 472 Main Street, Ridgefield

Register <<HERE>> To Attend

RVNAhealth’s 2nd presentation in this 3-Part Series at the Ridgefield Library focusing on Cognitive Decline and Dementia Care

Part 2: Navigating Communication Challenges in Dementia Care. Effective communication is vital in providing quality care for individuals living with dementia. Join us for an informative session with Gigi Weiss, Senior Director of Community Rehabilitation Services, and Danielle Taibi, Occupational Therapist and Dementia Specialist. They will share essential strategies to enhance both verbal and non-verbal interactions, ensuring that caregivers can connect meaningfully with their loved ones.

Explore the stages of dementia and discover key considerations for engaging with individuals at each stage. Learn practical tools to manage challenging behaviors and foster deeper connections, ultimately enhancing the caregiving experience for both patients and caregivers. This session will equip you with valuable insights into effective communication strategies, including tailored approaches for different stages and a focus on goals during the end stages of dementia care. Don’t miss this opportunity to make daily interactions more effective and meaningful!

Danielle Taibi, OTR/L, CDP, Occupational Therapist and Dementia Specialist, RVNAhealth
RVNAhealth is fortunate to have Danielle Taibi, a highly impactful speaker and compassionate practitioner, whose thoughtful care has made a profound difference for countless patients and families. With over 8 years of experience in occupational therapy and home health supervision, Danielle has become a trusted figure in dementia care, known for her ability to connect with audiences on topics that truly resonate with their lives.
As a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer, Danielle’s approach goes beyond immediate care. She excels in thinking ahead to what patients and their families will need as they navigate the challenges of dementia, providing support that is proactive and personalized. Her deep understanding of the disease, coupled with her caring nature, ensures that those in her care receive not only expert treatment but also a path forward that considers the well-being of the whole family.

Gigi Weiss, MSPT, CDP, CKTP, Senior Director of Community Rehabilitation Services, RVNAhealth
Gigi Weiss, a licensed physical therapist and Certified Dementia Care Practitioner (CDP), has been a transformative force at RVNAhealth for over a decade. Beginning as the Director of the Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, Gigi expanded the center’s operations, growing the therapy team, and establishing it as a hub for advanced rehabilitative care. Now, in her role as Senior Director of Community Rehabilitation Services, she continues to lead with innovation and dedication.

Gigi’s commitment to excellence earned her the prestigious Innovation Award from the Connecticut Association for Healthcare at Home (CAHCH) Annual Conference. She is recognized for introducing cutting-edge programs like LSVT Big and Loud for Parkinson’s patients and incorporating digital tools to enhance traditional therapeutic methods.

In addition to her leadership, Gigi is beloved by patients and colleagues alike for her hands-on approach, often stepping back into the therapy center to provide care as a physical therapist when needed. As a community outreach educator, she is committed to raising awareness about rehabilitation and dementia care, making a lasting impact both within and beyond RVNAhealth.

RVNAhealth Dementia Education & Resources Program

Cognitive Decline and Dementia: The Importance of Early Evaluation with Dr. Alison McElhone
Thursday, February 13th
1:00pm – 2:30pm
Ridgefield Library, 472 Main Street, Ridgefield

Register <<HERE>> To Attend

Join RVNAhealth for this 3-Part Series at the Ridgefield Library focusing on Cognitive Decline and Dementia Care

Part 1: Understanding the early signs of dementia can be crucial for effective care and planning. In this enlightening session, Dr. Alison McElhone, Geriatrician, will explore the various types of dementia, their prevalence, and the underlying brain pathology that contributes to cognitive decline. She will discuss key risk factors, including genetic influences, to help you identify early warning signs and explain why primary care may not be the most suitable setting for a comprehensive evaluation.

Dr. McElhone will guide you through the evaluation process, emphasizing the importance of early detection and assessment in accessing appropriate resources and support. While Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia cannot be treated, early evaluation can significantly impact the management of symptoms and improve quality of life for patients and caregivers. Whether you’re a caregiver or concerned about your own cognitive health, this session will equip you with vital knowledge to navigate the complexities of dementia care.

To Attend, Please Register <<HERE>>

Dr. Alison McElone Bio: Alison L. McElhone, MD, specializes in geriatric medicine and offers experienced, compassionate care to all patients. She takes a special interest in dementia evaluation and management, medication management and palliative and hospice care. Dr. McElhone earned her medical degree from State University of New York Downstate College of Medicine. She completed medical school summa cum laude and with research commendations. Afterward, she completed an internal medicine residency at Stony Brook Hospital and performed a geriatric medicine fellowship there too. While still in New York, Dr. McElhone worked in the primary and extended care departments of the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center. In 2008, she moved to Saginaw, Michigan with her family and joined Synergy Medical Group, which later became the primary clinical teaching location for Central Michigan University (CMU). During her seven years with CMU, Dr. McElhone saw patients in multiple settings, including office/clinic, home, hospice, assisted living and nursing rehabilitation centers. In 2015, she returned to the East Coast and joined Griffin Faculty Physicians where she continued to pursue her interest in geriatric medicine. In this role she evaluated and managed older adult patients presenting to the Geriatric Assessment Center and patients in skilled nurse settings. In evaluating and treating her older patients, Dr. McElhone understands the impact of social factors, mood and cognitive disorders, chronic pain and functional impairment on quality of life and healthcare utilization. Her individualized approach that addresses these issues, together with treatment of the patient’s chronic medical conditions, results in improved outcomes and quality of life. Dr. McElhone is dedicated to the ongoing care and well-being of her patients, helping them pursue fulfilling lives with family and friends.

Helping You Meet the Dementia Challenge

Thursday, November 14th
2:30 – 3:30pm
Elmwood Hall Senior Center – 10 Elmwood Pl, Danbury
Open to the Public

Caring for someone suffering from memory loss? Interested in learning more about the condition? Join us at the Danbury Elmwood Hall Senior Center for a lecture focusing on the causes and symptoms of dementia and learn strategies to better cope with the challenge.

RVNAhealth’s Occupational Therapist and Dementia Specialist, Danielle Taibi, and Gus Schlegel, Occupational Therapist, will explain how to recognize the symptoms and stages of the condition, and discuss coping techniques that can be implemented during the early stages. The team will also discuss how to recognize when professional assistance and intervention may be necessary, along with strategies to make challenges and transitions more manageable.

To register, contact the Danbury Senior Center at 203-797-4686.