Innovative Guest Speaker Wows at St. John’s Dementia Caregiver Event
Nationally recognized speaker and author Loretta Veney was invited to share information about her innovative style of caregiving with St. John’s guests as part of its celebration of National Caregivers Month. Veney was the speaker for St. John’s “Tools of Engagement for Joyful Caregiving” event held at Brickstone by St. John’s on November 30, 2023.
Veney, who is certified in LEGO® Serious Play®, has been using the art of LEGO building as a means to connect caregivers and their loved ones with dementia for many years. She walked the event attendees through her journey as a caregiver of 16 years for her mother and how she discovered, through that process, the impact of LEGO with those living with dementia.
Guests were shown how to use LEGO as a facilitation tool for emotional sharing about the caregiving journey using the methodology Veney has taught to other groups at assisted living and memory care communities across the country. Guests were also able to ask questions to a panel of experts including Loretta Veney, as well as Kathleen Growney-Lorenzo, owner of an art therapy business “Art for the Young at Heart,” and Mimi DeVinney, Dementia/Quality of Life Specialist at St. John’s.
See more photos from the event, here.
Learn about St. John’s Dementia Resource Center’s JOY Plan.
