WEST HARTFORD – At a recent meeting, Hebrew Health Care in West Hartford recognized 12 staff members of Hebrew Health Care and Hoffman/Summerwood who have successfully completed the process for national credentials as Certified Dementia Practitioners (CDP) by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP).
“The Council is an interdisciplinary board with a mission to promote standards of excellence in dementia and Alzheimer’s care education for professionals and those who provide assistance to people with memory disorders,” said Pamela Atwood, a CDP since 2007 and a certified instructor of the NCCDP’s basic foundations course.
HHC has had a dedicated department of Dementia Care Services since 2002. “A decade ago, we made a commitment to serving those with memory disorders in our long-term care facility. Over the years, we’ve supported our community-based programs with in-services and consultation, and now our affiliates have their own experts as well,” said Bonnie Gauthier, CEO and president of HHC. This year, Atwood, who is HHC’s director
of Dementia Care Services, went through the NCCDP trainer course. She now offers seminars which are required for others who wish to become CDPs. “As leaders in the field of care of persons with dementia, HHC needed each of our key business lines to have expertise.” Atwood set about to train key staff in several HHC business affiliates.
The staff members who recently earned credentials as CDPs are:
From Hebrew Health Visiting Nurse & Hospice: Christine Waldie, RN, MSN, director of hospice; and Stephani Shivers, OT, M.Ed, Cognitive STARTS program.
From Hoffman SummerWood Community: Joan Carney, BSN, RN, executive director; Valerie Bartos, director of community relations; Amanda Sisson, member services coordinator; Robin Lund, activity manager; and John Buccini, program coordinator.
From Hebrew Community Services: Maureen Dolin, RN, director of HHC Adult Day Center.
From the Gene & Anja Rosenberg Hebrew Home & Rehabilitation Center: June Taraschuk, RN, unit manager on Dementia Special Care Unit; Melissa Fay, MSW, social worker on Dementia Special Care Unit, Elizabeth Klinck and Dawn Hernandez, therapeutic recreation cirectors. In addition, Amina Weiland, coordinator of Dementia Care Services earned her CDP last winter.