Introduction
This is Dr. Sally Gelardin, with Careerwell Tele-Interviews. Elizabeth Edgerly, PhD, is Chief Program Officer of the Alzheimer's Association, Northern California & Northern Nevada as well as a clinical psychologist. She oversees all chapter programs for persons with dementia, their families and professionals and is instrumental in the development of new programs to better meet the needs of persons with dementia throughout Northern California & Northern Nevada.
Interview Questions
- What are your attitudes about sexuality and intimacy in later life? (SLIDE 2
- What are the challenges to AD & Intimacy? (SLIDE 4)
- What are common concerns for families (SLIDE 5)
- What are common concerns for staff (SLIDE 6)
- Are there any state or county policies or guidelines for helping residential or acute care facilities answer difficult questions regarding sexuality or intimacy? (SLIDE 7)
- Who determines capacity? (SLIDE 8)
- What questions can be asked to evaluate capacity? (SLIDES 9 - 12 )
- You provided us with a case example to think about that is posted on your Careerwell web page. Could we discuss that? (SLIDE 13)
Elizabeth Edgerly, PhD
Thursday, April 26, 2012, 8:00 am Pacific, 8:00 am Mountain, 10:00 am Central, 11:00 am EST, 12:00 pm Atlantic, 5:00 pm Zurich, 6:00 pm Istanbul, Dubai 8:00 pm
Sex, Love, and Dementia
Sexuality is an integral part of “personhood” throughout life -- even for the person with dementia. This interview focuses on the sexual and intimacy needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s and related disorders. How does intimacy, love and Alzheimer’s mix? Is a person with severe memory loss able to makes decisions about their sexual expression? Who makes that decision? This area is rarely black and white and often riddled with emotional volatility for the person with dementia, their loved ones and professionals with whom they work. We will explore this complex and challenging topic through lively discussion.
Bio
Elizabeth Edgerly, PhD, is Chief Program Officer of the Alzheimer's Association, Northern California & Northern Nevada as well as a clinical psychologist. She oversees all chapter programs for persons with dementia, their families and professionals and is instrumental in the development of new programs to better meet the needs of persons with dementia throughout Northern California & Northern Nevada.
Exercise for Listeners
I recommend that persons with dementia and their care partners discuss their preferences. For example, families may want to discuss with staff in an assisted living facility, how staff handles it when relationships develop between residents. Do they inform and involve the family? How do they assure that the person with dementia is safe and not being taken advantage of?
Resources
www.alz.org
Video – A Thousand Tomorrows & More than a Thousand Tomorrows by Terra Nova films
Contact
Elizabeth S. Edgerly, Ph.D.
Chief Program Officer
Alzheimer's Association Northern California & Northern Nevada
1060 La Avenida Street
Mountain View, CA 94043
24/7 Helpline 800-272-3900
Ph: 650-962-8111 x1306
Fax: 650-962-9644
www.alz.org