The onset of dementia can have a devastating impact on an individual’s identity. See how culturally based and linguistically accessible programming and interventions help to reclaim and preserve one’s identity and dignity.
Date: Friday December 3, 2021
Time: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Learning objectives:
- Recognizing the importance of culture and language when interacting with people living with dementia in ethnocultural communities.
- Strategies to support the identity and dignity of older adults living with dementia.
Target audience: Social service workers, PSW’s, unpaid caregivers, individuals working with seniors.
Speakers
Vince Pietropaolo, M.A., is the General Manager of COSTI Family and Mental Health Services. In his current position, he has works with ethno cultural communities in program design, development and implementation in the areas of mental health, domestic violence and problem gambling and dementia. Vince currently sits on the York Region Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee, Ontario Resource Group on Gambling, Ethnicity and Culture, The North York Specialized Courts Advisory Committee, National Trauma-Informed Care Project National Advisory Committee and is a member of the Canadian Dementia Learning and Resource Network. Vince is a Subject Matter Expert on the Immigrant and Refugee Mental Health Project. Recently Vince designed and implemented the Refugee Mental Health program and the Senior’s day program at COSTI. Vince has presented extensively on the issue of Gender Based Violence, Mental health, Dementia, Caregiver stress and Problem Gambling and at conferences in the United States and Canada. He has guest lectured at York University and Ryerson University.
Ted Zhang, M.Ed., General Manager of Seniors Services at COSTI Immigrant Services. In his currently position, Ted and his team have been providing support services to Persons Living with Dementia (PLWDs) and their caregivers in the Italian community. Ted is the lead investigator at COSTI to study ethnoculturally and linguistically based care services to support PLWDs.