The Family Dementia Academy
Schedule
Thu Apr 30 2026 at 09:30 am to 03:30 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Laurel Circle | Bridgewater, NJ
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The Family Dementia Academy will be held on April 30th with a powerful, full‑day educational program designed to equip family caregivers with the knowledge, strategies, and perspective needed to support loved ones living with dementia. This event brings together leading experts in dementia care, neuropsychology, legal planning, and international care innovation—along with an immersive, empathy‑building experience that transforms the way caregivers understand and respond to cognitive decline.Virtual Keynote Speaker: Eloy van Hal – Founder
The Hogeweyk Dementia Village, The Netherlands
Topic: Humanizing Dementia—Deinstitutionalize, Transform, Normalize
Eloy van Hal, founder of the internationally recognized Hogeweyk Dementia Village, will join the Academy virtually to present his groundbreaking model of dementia care—one that has inspired change around the world. Through his keynote, The Pillars of Care: Deinstitutionalize, Transform, and Normalize, van Hal will explain how his visionary approach creates environments where individuals with dementia experience autonomy, purpose, and a normalized daily life.
He will share how families can incorporate these principles into their own caregiving—at home or in community settings—helping loved ones maintain dignity, identity, and engagement throughout their journey.
Legal Planning with a Dementia Diagnosis
Fiona Van Dyck, Managing Attorney, Van Dyck Law Group
Fiona Van Dyck will guide families through the essential legal documents needed to safeguard individuals living with dementia and protect family members throughout the course of the disease. She will explain why not all planning documents offer the same level of protection and outline the tools that allow caregivers to make informed decisions regarding finances, medical care, and long‑term planning.
Her presentation will also explore strategies and programs for funding long‑term care—empowering families to plan proactively rather than react in crisis.
The Role of Neuropsychological Evaluation in Diagnosing Dementia and Developing Care Plans
Dr. Alison Tverdov, Neuropsychologist
Dr. Alison Tverdov will discuss how neuropsychological evaluations provide clarity, direction, and confidence for families navigating cognitive changes. Her presentation will address:
How to understand and respond to memory loss
When testing reveals that certain activities may no longer be safe (such as driving, cooking, or managing finances)
Practical strategies families can apply in the home
How to identify the right services and resources
Ways caregivers can find support and avoid burnout
Dr. Tverdov’s insights help families create appropriate, personalized care plans that promote safety, independence, and quality of life.
Experiential Program: Dementia Live
Experience Their World – Change Yours Forever
Dementia Live is a high‑impact, immersive simulation designed to help caregivers understand the sensory and cognitive challenges experienced by individuals living with dementia. By mimicking symptoms such as impaired processing, tunnel vision, and altered touch, participants experience firsthand how everyday environments can feel overwhelming or disorienting for a person with dementia.
This profound experience deepens empathy, enhances communication, and provides caregivers with new tools to deliver compassionate, person‑centered support.
This event is $85 and includes a beautiful gourmet lunch.
The Family Dementia Academy will be held at Laurel Circle located at 100 Monroe Street in Bridgewater, NJ, 08807. Gourmet lunch will be included.
Registration now open! https://thedementiacenter.com/event/the-family-dementia-academy/
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Where is it happening?
Laurel Circle, 100 Monroe St, Bridgewater, NJ 08807-5002, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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