Western Caribbean – Dementia Friendly Cruise & Symposium! Sponsored by:

Rebecca Rushing, BSN, RN has worked as a Registered Nurse in many areas of healthcare over the past 30 years. Currently, she is the Director of Client Services, at FirstLight Home Care in Cincinnati, Ohio. Rebecca has always had a passion for working with the elderly, especially those with dementia. She currently is a Positive Approach to Care Independent Trainer through the Teepa Snow program, as well as a Certified Dementia Practitioner Trainer through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioner, as well as an Ageless Grace Educator.

Enjoy the warm sun and blue waters in the Western Caribbean and on Holland America’s private island, Half Moon Cay. Alzheimer’s and Dementia Friendly Cruise and Educational Symposium inspires and encourages caregivers/family members to love every moment!

In 2016 Fern Pessin left her business and life in New York/Connecticut to move to Florida. Her mission was to support her parent’s well-being in their journey of aging with grace, surrounded by love while protecting and maximizing their resources.

Overwhelmed at first, Fern realized there was scattered information out there to help guide her in this new role of caring and advocating for her parents. So, she did a ton of research, got certified as a Home Health Aide, attended conferences and classes, interviewed experts, attended weekly support groups and more -- to ensure an understanding of what to look for and do for her parents both physically and emotionally. She sought out a team of experts to help her and her siblings navigate through the financial, legal and medical requirements of securing her parents well-being over the long term.
After accumulating this arsenal of knowledge, she decided to share it with the other 34 million adult children caring for their parents in this country, so she wrote I’ll Be Right There, A Guidebook for Adults Caring for Their Aging Parents. Her goal was to remove the overwhelm that she felt when she assumed the caregiving role and to support other families in their caregiving journey; to help people know what they didn’t know they needed to know when they found themselves in the role of helping a parent.
By request of her parent’s friends, Fern created a second workbook for people wishing to provide information about one’s own wishes to family and care partners. I’m Not Gonna Live Forever You Know will be available at booksellers late Fall 2019.

The MS Nieuw Statendam is the sixth ship in Holland America’s history to bear the name Statendam.

Like sister-ship the Koningsdam, the Nieuw Statendam is one of the largest in the fleet and combines classic hallmarks of the cruise line with innovative venues. Guests can enjoy some of the finest dining at sea by indulging in Pacific Northwestern dishes at Pinnacle Grill, brasserie-style seafood at Sel de Mer, authentic Italian at Canaletto, or exotic Asian cuisine at Tamarind. For more relaxed meals, try al fresco dining by the pool at Dive-In or grab a slice at New York Pizza. Wine connoisseurs and novices alike can experience the art of winemaking at BLEND by Chateau Ste. Michelle. America’s Test Kitchen features live onboard cooking shows and hands-on workshops where guests can learn techniques and recipes from experienced chefs. The Greenhouse Spa & Salon is the perfect spot for pampering with facials, massages, thermal pools, heated ceramic lounges, and more. Visit the Digital Workshop and learn how to edit, display, and share videos and photographs. Kids will have plenty to do onboard at Club HAL, Holland America’s kids club, and fitness buffs can enjoy the sport court, jogging track, fitness center, and two swimming pools. Nightlife options abound on the Nieuw Statendam, with entertainment venues such as B.B. King’s Blues Club, Lincoln Centerstage, World Stage, and the casino. Guests have an array of stateroom options to choose from, including family oceanview staterooms and signature suites. All staterooms come equipped with luxurious bedding, flat-panel TV, bath amenities from Elemis Aromapure, and premium massaging shower heads.

Perfect for clients and their care partners who have been diagnosed with:

Programming will include:

At Dementia Training for Life, we stand by a strict code of ethics that guides the future care and dignity of individuals with dementia. To provide the best services the following professionals are urged to attend:

The Perfect Spa Relaxation! Appointments Available During Daily Adult Care Sessions