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S3:E7 Three Day Dementia Skills Conference

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Teresa Youngstrom discusses the importance of dementia skills training with experts Karen Straw, Sarah Hyde-Williams, and Brenda Gurung. They introduce a three-day conference aimed at equipping caregivers, family members and anyone with essential skills to provide better care for individuals with dementia.

Meet the Dementia Experts Leading the SKILLS Conference

Karen Straw, SLP, CDP®, CADDCT, PAC-Trainer

Founder, DementiAgility LLC

With a background in speech-language pathology and over a decade of dementia training experience, Karen Straw founded DementiAgility in 2023 to help senior living teams move beyond information to action. A Certified Dementia Practitioner® and Positive Approach to Care® Trainer,

Sarah Hyde-Williams, CDP, CADDCT, CDCM, CMDCP, PAC-Trainer

Founder, Senior Living Advisors of Austin / Collaborators In Care

Sarah brings nearly 25 years of expertise in senior living, home health, and hospice. Through Collaborators In Care, she delivers education and consulting for professionals and families navigating dementia. A longtime volunteer for the Lewy Body Dementia Association, Sarah is a highly credentialed educator who blends compassion with deep clinical insight—and perhaps a touch of sourdough and softball enthusiasm.

Brenda Gurung, CMDCP, CMDCPT, MIM, CTVDT National Director of Memory Care, Kisco Senior Living

A Montessori-credentialed dementia specialist, Brenda brings 16 years of experience in senior living with a focus on communication, behavioral expressions, and engagement. As National Director of Memory Care for Kisco Senior Living, she oversees the Heirloom Memory Care program across 32 communities in 11 states. Brenda is a passionate educator and advocate, recognized as a Denver7 ABC Everyday Hero and longtime Alzheimer’s Association volunteer. The experts share their backgrounds, the structure of the conference, and the benefits of attending, emphasizing hands-on learning and practical insights. They also highlight the significance of language and body language in caregiving, and the joy that comes from making meaningful connections with those living with dementia.

  • https://dementiagility.org/skills-conference-2025/

  • Sept. 3-5 Austin, TX

  • Sept. 23-25 Salt Lake, UT

  • Sept. 30-Oct. 2 Denver, CO

  • Pricing: Early bird pricing ends Aug 15th: only $549

  • Registration until Aug. 26th: $649

  • Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care Seminar (CDP prerequisite)

  • Teepa Snow Positive Approach to Care Engagement and Enrichment Skills

  • Montessori Dementia Care Professional (CMDCP prerequisite)

  • Space is LIMITED!!

  • Register Today: https://dementiaskills.com Group Discounts: Available for 5+ participants

  • For media inquiries or group registrations, contact info@dementiaskills.com

Be sure to invest in your staff or your skills today!! You will be glad you did!

Woman in denim jacket recording a podcast with a microphone and computer setup, discussing dementia, with a coffee cup and notes on the desk.

Teresa Rapp Youngstrom

Dementia Specialist

Teresa is a Seasoned Registered Nurse with more than 38 years of clinical and leadership experience. Diverse core competencies including Emergency and Trauma, Labor and Delivery, OR, ICU, Medical Surgical, Rehab, Hospice, Home Care, IV and Dementia Specialist, Private Duty Care, Marketer, Assisted Living and Memory Care Director, Staff Trainer, Speaker, Consultant and CE Provider. Her compassion for people living with Dementia is evident as soon as you meet her. She will provide your organization or family with excellent insight and care.

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