Description
The OT Link is excited to release the first Gerontology Course of its kind for Occupational Therapists and Healthcare Professionals working in the field of Geriatrics.
This In-Person Event is designed and facilitated by Sylvia Birkhead and Loraine Schirlinger with guest presentations by: Dr. Jaco Hofman; Adv. Nicolette Erasmus; Dr. Susan Coetzer; Charlese McMillan; Dr. Digby Ormond-Brown; Anna Bizos; Dr. Ryan Fuller; and Ruth-Anne Sedgewick.
Sylvia Birkhead (M.OT) has almost 40 years of experience as an occupational therapist. She has consulted to many NGOs (MS Society, Headway, Parkinson’s Association, Stroke Aid, and many more), worked clinically, lectured at WITS, provided training to professionals, care workers and the general public. In the last 10 years, Sylvia has specialised in gerontology and geriatric care, incorporating sensory stimulation into practice. Sylvia has published chapters in various books, articles in SAJOT and Focus, The Child magazine, Discovery Health newsletter, Rolling Inspiration and various other publications. She was awarded the Albie Sachs award in 2004.
Loraine Schirlinger is a registered general nurse and a psychiatric nurse. She has a degree in community nursing science and nursing administration. She has completed certificate courses during her years of working in psychiatric, geriatric, and community health services and for Alzheimer’s SA.
Loraine has been involved in the field of dementia care since 2004 when the then-national director of Alzheimer’s SA (ASA) approached her to develop a training course and manual for the Association. Loraine remained with ASA as a trainer, course developer, writer of manuals, developer of brochures, a support group leader, support group leader trainer, and five years as a regional director for Gauteng. She retired from ASA in 2019.
She is currently keeping herself busy as an online support group leader for Alzheimer’s Gauteng, advising and assisting Old Age Homes in caring for their residents living with dementia, and voluntarily assisting different community based NPOs as and when necessary. She continues to educate community members and the staff of residential care facilities. She is a member of a committee consisting of five adults experienced in the field of dementia. They organize and run an annual seminar aimed at people living with dementia, their family members, carers and professionals working in the field of dementia. The profits generated from the seminar are donated to a non-profit organization that supports or accommodates people living with dementia.
Her personal experience with dementia is a grandmother who had Alzheimer’s disease; her mother had Frontotemporal Lobe dementia and Vascular dementia. Her sister presently has Mild Cognitive Impairment.
