Beyond the Court Order: Understanding Cognitive Change
Where and when
Location
Beyond the Court Order: Understanding Cognitive Change, Family Dynamics, and the Care Team
This 45-minute presentation will help attorneys and court-appointed professionals better understand what they may encounter when working with an individual experiencing cognitive change. This may include cases in which the attorney enters the person’s life with limited background information, urgent care or safety concerns, conflicting accounts from family members, and uncertainty about the individual’s abilities, wishes, and unmet needs.
We will discuss how cognitive change may present during interviews, home visits, legal proceedings, and ongoing court-appointed matters. We will also introduce practical communication approaches that support the individual’s participation, dignity, and autonomy while helping the attorney gather more meaningful information.
Additional topics will include the importance of looking beyond a diagnosis to understand the person’s daily functioning and environment, building a strong care team, recognizing the different needs of the individual and family, and navigating family dynamics that may affect decision-making and follow-through. We will conclude with a brief overview of Medicare’s GUIDE Model, including care navigation, caregiver education and support, a 24/7 support line, and respite services for eligible families. Participants will also receive practical tips and referral resources they can use following the presentation.
