Date and Time: Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Chairperson(s): Laurie Cecchi, BS, OT, OTR, CDCS & Shawna Sullivan, OTA, COTA
Location: Zoom - to be sent out day before the event
Title: Cognitive Assessment in Occupational Therapy: Utilizing Case Studies for Effective Interventions in Older Adults
Learning Objectives:
- Explore and identify cognitive screening and assessment tools available and appropriate for use in the post-acute care continuum to promote comprehensive assessment and client-centered care for clients with cognitive impairment
- Explain how choice of appropriate cognitive assessments in post-acute care settings may influence intervention strategies that identify solutions, achieve clinical outcomes, contribute to client satisfaction, and facilitate client participation in everyday living
- Identify potential clinical and operational challenges and solutions
Bio/Focus:
Laurie Cecchi, OT, OTR, CDCS (Certified Dementia Care Specialist) is a highly respected dementia specialist with 35 years of experience in clinical practice. With a strong passion for improving the quality of life for individuals affected by dementia, Laurie has dedicated her career to advancing knowledge, care practices, and policy changes in this critical area. Laurie is currently a full- time professor at Springfield Technical Community College in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program. Prior to her employment at STCC, she worked for more than a decade on the national clinical practice team for Genesis Rehab Services, serving as the Massachusetts dementia consultant for more than 20 facilities throughout the state. Laurie has been a featured speaker at both national and state conferences where she has shared insights on aging in place with individuals living with dementia, effective therapeutic approaches, and early identification.
References:
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2024, Vol. 78(4), 7804390010.
https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2024.050691
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2021, November 24). Role of OT in assessing functional cognition. https://www.aota.org/practice/practice-essentials/paymentpolicy/medicare1/medicare---role-of-ot-in-assessing-functional-cognition
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2014). IMPACT Act of 2014 Data standardization & © 2025 American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. All Rights Reserved cross setting measures. https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/initiatives/pac-qualityinitiatives/impact-act-2014-data-standardization-cross-setting-measures
Giles, G. M., Edwards, D. F., Baum, C., Furniss, J., Skidmore, E., Wolf, T., & Leland, N. E. (2020). Making functional cognition a professional priority. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74, 7401090010p1–7401090010p6. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.741002
Rogers, J. C., Holm, M. B., & Chisholm, D. (2016). Performance assessment of self-care skills – Version 4.1. University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
REGISTRATION will close at 4:00 p.m. on September 24, 2025.