3437 - Navigating Dementia: Understanding, Supporting, and Caregiving (Roy Kerfoot and Kassie Roth)
Course Description
Instructors: Roy Kerfoot and Kassie Roth
Caring for someone with dementia can be overwhelming, and for many, it becomes the “Disease That Must Not Be Named.” This course is designed for those who have a loved one or friend diagnosed with—or suspected to have—one of the 100+ types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s. Dementia caregiving presents unexpected challenges. Caregivers and supporters often find themselves navigating unfamiliar responsibilities, making difficult decisions, and adapting to life-changing circumstances—all without prior training. Feelings of denial, fear, or guilt can further complicate the journey. This course provides a foundational guide to understanding and supporting someone with dementia. We will explore what dementia is, how it differs from normal aging, and the most common types. We’ll discuss the steps to take if you suspect dementia, the importance of diagnosis, and how to move forward once a diagnosis is confirmed. Additionally, we’ll cover caregiver priorities, strategies for handling various scenarios, and the range of available in-home and long-term care options.
Bio: Roy Kerfoot is a retired electrical engineer. He worked for major defense contractors, Motorola, and Motorola Solutions.
Roy cared for his wife, Ana, for 21 years. Ana suffered a rare form of dementia, Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), that degraded language and cognition first. Her symptoms presented in 2000. She was 47 years old and their boy/girl twins were eight years old, while Roy led a high-pressure engineering team.
Ana lost language in her last 10 years and was bed-bound in her last 8 years. With the aid of an elder care law firm, Roy placed Ana in long-term care for her last 3-1/2 years. She passed in 2021, shortly after her 69th birthday.
Roy leads three caregiver support groups, including one for Respite Care Atlanta.
Kassie Roth is the Programs and Community Outreach Director for Respite Care Atlanta (RCA), hosted at the Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church. She supervisors RCA’s adult day program and sponsors RCA’s caregiver support groups.
Kassie has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Georgia College and State University and a Master of Social Work from Georgia State University. Previously, she worked for the Marietta Housing Authority, in senior housing, and for Georgia’s Division of Aging Services, in Access to Services.