ODL 204: Perspectives From the Front Lines: What Helping Professionals Can Learn from a Care Partner

Revised on 05/12/23

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

How often do you look through the lens of the care partner or caregiver of your clients? This thought-provoking course will cover all topics of being a care partner to someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Lisa Marshall, author of “Oh Hello Alzheimer’s”  shares her experiences through an interview-style event. Lisa shares her story, including diagnosis, early denial, progression of the disease, how Lisa and her husband coped, and even some of the horrible experiences they had with the healthcare system. As someone who lived through all the experiences, Lisa also shared practical tips that helped with the day-to-day care of her husband and herself. Lastly, Lisa shares where she is at in life and how this road has changed her. 

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

• Give examples of some practical strategies that could be used with clients
• Describe the prevalence rates of early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s
• List signs and symptoms of early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s

Presenters:

Lisa Marshall, Caregiver

Lisa Marshall, 55, was the primary caregiver for her husband Peter Marshall who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2018 at the age of 53.  Lisa retired in 2020 from a professional sales career to care for her husband who could no longer be alone.  Peter passed away on December 26th, 2021, just 3 years and 8 months after diagnosis. He was 56. 

Lisa has 5 grown children and one Grandson, along with her lovable dog, Mollie.  

She is passionate about advocating for support for caregivers and raises her voice to create awareness of the disease.  She chronicled her and Peter’s daily journey at www.facebook.com/ohhelloalzheimers offering an honest, realistic, and raw look at Alzheimer’s disease, to followers all over the world. 

Continuing her passion, she holds monthly virtual Alzheimer’s discussions to readers, offering her insight, tips, and coping skills. Participants discuss their own unique stories and realize a sense of community together.

Lisa works closely with the Alzheimer’s Association and leads a team with Walk to End Alzheimer’s helping fund research to find a cure. Her team was the largest fundraising team in CT in 2021, raising more than $55,000.

She is currently Co-chair of the caregiver arm of a coalition whose goal is to educate the public and health professionals on ways to support individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias as well as help meet the needs of families and caregivers. This 18-month mission is funded by a grant from the Center for Disease Control and The Department of Health.  Ultimately this effort will update the current CT State plan and change the support offered to families suffering from this catastrophic disease. 

Lisa and Peter’s journey has been covered on CNN, The Washington Post, Today.com, CBS Evening News, On the Road with Steve Hartman, People.com, and more. She is also a contributing author of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Navigating Elder Care and Dementia.

Jessica Patterson, LMSW, DSW, and CEU Creations Educational Manager

Jessica Patterson, LMSW, DSW.  Jessica Patterson is a licensed social worker with over ten years of experience working in different systems. Jessica has a strong passion for teaching, training, and professional development. She also has a strong background around creating trauma informed systems, social emotional behavioral health and the implementation of community and individual support systems.

Jessica has created and facilitated many professional development trainings throughout her career. Jessica’s role at CEU Creations includes developing curriculum, working with licensure boards, and presenting at various CE trainings.

Jessica holds a Bachelor’s degree in organizational management and sociology from Ashford University. She received her Master’s in Social Work from University of Iowa and received her Doctoral degree in Social Work from Capella University. Jessica is a licensed Social Worker through the state of Iowa. Jessica currently lives in Iowa with her husband, four children, two dogs, and cat. Any spare moment that Jessica has is usually spent running or reading.

2 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 2 CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 2 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 2 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 2 Contact Hours
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 2 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 2 Contact Hours

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.