Understanding Dementia (Part 2) – Health Expo 2025

This session is part 2 of understanding dementia, click here to read part 1. In both sessions, you’ll find that each are led and presented by Catherine McDermott, PMHNP, Co-Owner of Town Square University Parkway and an expert in geriatric psychiatry and cognitive decline. The presentation focuses on how dementia impacts communication and behavior and how caregivers can respond with compassion and clarity. Catherine explains the importance of active listening, especially when individuals communicate pain, anxiety, and depression through nonverbal cues rather than words.

She discusses effective ways to approach challenging behaviors, emphasizing stage-appropriate communication and the difference between redirection and correction. The concept of therapeutic truths is explored by understanding what time period a person believes they are living in and acknowledging their reality with empathy. Catherine also reviews when medications may be appropriate and reminds families that dementia is a terminal disease, requiring comfort-focused care and compassionate planning.

Catherine highlights the importance of working with medical professionals who truly understand dementia, noting that because this is a rapidly changing condition, families should expect follow-up every six weeks to three months. She shares how Town Square University Parkway was built to support caregivers as much as members, recognizing the extraordinary stress caregivers carry. True support groups, stress-management tools, and access to community resources can dramatically improve caregiver well-being.

The session also covers ethical and legal considerations, including the importance of having power of attorney, a living will, and a designated healthcare surrogate. Catherine encourages families to proactively discuss end-of-life wishes and understand what compassionate care looks like during the final stages of dementia. The presentation concludes with current research, future directions, and an open discussion to address caregiver questions.

Town Square University Parkway provides dementia-centered adult day services, medical support, caregiver education, structured respite, and community programming for families in Sarasota and Manatee County. Our goal is to support both individuals living with dementia and the caregivers who walk this journey with them. To learn how structure this goal into action, explore our CHAMP philosophy.