Your Resource for Aging Information & Best Practices in Senior Care
Birch Bay’s Learning Institute is your resource for aging information and best practices in geriatric care.
Ways We Can Help:
- Dementia Education
- Healthy Aging classes for Seniors
- Healthcare training for students including CRMA/CNA or PSS Certification Classes
- Music Therapy presentations
Our partnership with the MDI Adult Education program has helped train students as certified nurse’s assistants.
Our Dementia Symposium in June 2017, along with partners The Jackson Laboratory and the Alzheimer’s Association-Maine Chapter, featured sessions on “Genetic variants and environmental risks for Alzheimer’s Disease” by researchers from The Jackson Laboratory, “Effective Communication Strategies” from the Alzheimer’s Association, and presentations on Music Therapy.
We have provided education to:
- Bangor Nursing & Rehab
- Jesup Memorial Library
- Hospice Volunteers of Hancock County
- Mount Desert Island Hospital
- MDI Behavioral Health Center
- Mt Desert Nursing Association
- MDI Housing Authorizy
- Quarry Hill
- Westgate Rehab & Living Center
- Winterberry Heights
- Woodlands Senior Living – Brewer
2017 Dementia Symposium
Our Education Team
Melissa Violette, MT-BC, NMT
Melissa Violette is a board certified neurologic music therapist. Melissa brings her 26 years of music therapy experience in mental health. Melissa believes strongly in the healing power of music.
“I have the best job in the world! Music Therapy is my calling and, without question, what I was meant to do in life, as it combines my desire to help people with my passion for music. I want to make the world a better place in the time I have, even if it’s in a small way and just one person at a time.”
Melissa can provide education to area agencies about the benefits of music therapy.
Some Examples of Melissa’s Presentations
Aging, Dementia and What Matters Most
What is Music Therapy, the Benefits of Music Therapy with Dementia, How Caregivers can use music for self-care
Music Therapy & Dementia
Learn what Music Therapy is and is not, how Music effects the brain and the benefits of Music Therapy with Dementia.
Sentimental Journey; The role of Music Therapy in Elder Care
What is Music Therapy, and how can it benefit the Elders at your facility and why you need to have it at your establishment.
James Hoke, MBA, CDP
Our Director of Programs & Resident Engagement James Hoke is a Certified Dementia Practitioner by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners, a leading organization in developing standards, guidelines, and educational programs for professionals and caregivers who strive to meet the diverse needs of those who suffer from dementia. James provides educational and interactive programs and presentations on dementia and life enrichment topics to individuals, caregivers, and our local community.
Some Examples of James’s Presentations
Habilitation Therapy Approach to Person-Centered Dementia Care
Person-Centered Dementia Care: A Habilitation Therapy Training Curriculum is a 13-hour professional training program by the Alzheimer’s Association which successfully incorporates the evidence-based Dementia Care Practice Recommendations in the following topic areas: Alzheimer’s and dementia, person-centered care, assessment and care planning, activities of daily living, behaviors and communications, and supporting families and caring for ourselves.
Life Enrichment: Re-Discovering Purpose through Engagement
Learn how dementia can affect one’s self-image, meaning in life, and sense of purpose, and how Life Enrichment approaches reconnecting individuals living with dementia to finding meaning and purpose in their lives through social, sensory, physical, and mental engagement, and why it is important.