News Releases

USM Professor Hosts "Dementia Day Camp" for Researchers

July 27, 2004

Kids aren't the only ones packing for camp this summer. Nancy Richeson, University of Southern Maine assistant professor of therapeutic recreation, and her colleague Linda Buettner from Florida Gulf Coast University, will be hosting nearly 20 adult "campers" at their Dementia Day Camp in Alfred, Maine, Saturday, July 31 to Monday, August 2.

Dementia Day Camp will be a 'think tank' of international dementia researchers interested in social and behavioral aspects of treatment. Camp attendees include recreational therapists, social workers, psychologists, nurses, and students who will share how each of their disciplines provide treatment to those suffering from dementia. The goal of the 2004 camp will be the development ideas for grant proposals that could lead to cost-effective, multidisciplinary approaches to treating the clinical problems of people with dementia.

Dementia is a progressive brain dysfunction that leads to a gradually increasing restriction of daily activities. The most well-known type of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that in the United States alone, the incidence of dementia is presently over 4.5 million individuals and will climb to 14 million by the year 2050.

A staff member from Senator Susan Collin's office will attend the Monday evening lobster dinner to discuss the Senator's support of the Ronald Reagan Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2004. Collins is also co-chair, with New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, of the Bipartisan Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease.

Eleanor Goldberg, executive director of the Maine Alzheimer's Association, will also be in attendance for the lobster dinner, and stated, "Dementia Day Camp sounds like a terrific weekend and a wonderful environment for the creation of new and exciting projects."

In addition to formal daytime meetings, campers will have discussions on the beach and evening camp activities that include a traditional Maine lobster dinner and a research-based drumming circle. Each camper's checklist includes a current research proposal, a one-page resume, and bug spray.

>more news releases