“We’re trying to improve the daily lives of people with dementia and their caregivers,” she says.

The 8th annual “Allies in Aging – Partnering Together for Quality Dementia Care” conference is geared towards professionals, front-line caregivers such as PSWs and long term care nurses, as well as care-giving family members.

Held at Kitchener’s Bingeman’s Centre on October 19th, the conference blends research-based clinical presentations along with socially-geared, caregiver-based workshops.

“Things in the [dementia field] are changing so much,” says Ghent-Fuller. “What we know about it is changing constantly – it’s a fairly new field. It’s only in the last 10 to 15 years that we’ve gotten a handle on it.”

Dr. Jack Diamond, the Scientific Director of the Alzheimer Society of Canada, will open the conference by focusing on present and future treatment options and the link between medical research and care-giving.

Jitka Zgola, a consultant, will offer caregivers a session entitled “Bring the Joy Back to Dining in Alzheimer Care,” which focuses on the social significance of meals and their role in dementia care.

Jayne Harvey, dementia educator and CEO of FCS International, will give the closing keynote address, focusing on the importance of caregivers celebrating the lives of the seniors they provide for.

The conference, a joint effort of the Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo, and the Guelph-Wellington chapters of the Alzheimer Society, routinely draws upwards of 400 participants, says Ghent-Fuller.

It has also been of great benefit to students, especially those in PSW programs, she says.

“We’re trying to establish a culture of learning,” says Ghent-Fuller, “and get people excited and open to new ideas and new ways of doing things.”

For more information, call The Alzheimer Society of Cambridge, at 519-836-7672.