Triad Conference features Nationally-Renowned Dementia Speaker By: Orange County Communications Department
Orange County Triad hosted its popular Conference on May 7, 2025, at Lake of the Woods Church. Providing a wealth of information and resources geared towards the senior community, Orange County’s Triad program has been regularly recognized for its innovative and effective programming. The Triad Conference is a fine example of their efforts. Fantastic speakers, informative exhibitors, and a delicious lunch were all to be found at the conference. This year’s keynote speaker was Teepa Snow, a renowned expert on dementia and caring for those suffering from the disease. Coupling expertise with an engaging, contagious passion for helping others, Teepa helped dissipate some of the common misunderstandings related to Alzheimer's and dementia. Teepa helped illustrate how the disease does not impact all areas of the brain equally. That being the case, some functions are affected much more than others. During her presentation, she demonstrated how a caregiver armed with that knowledge
can avoid unnecessary frustration and misunderstanding when working with a loved one or patient suffering with dementia. As an example, she demonstrated how using rhythm and song, such as singing the opening lines to You Are My Sunshine when looking for a wandering individual, can cause the lost person to respond reflexively when they might otherwise feel too threatened or afraid. Using actual images of healthy and dementia-affected brains, she showed attendees how certain techniques can ‘bypass’ the most damaged areas of the brain, leading to a better outcome for everyone involved. Teepa’s presentation, and the Triad Conference as a whole, proved to be immensely beneficial to the community. Those who missed the event should know that Triad hosts a variety of programs throughout the year, and offers services such as the File of Life, Gaurdian Alert Pendants, and much more! Visit orangecountyva.gov/triad for more information.
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OCI June 2025
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