Date and Time: Monday, April 28, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.
Chairperson(s): Laura Cecchi, OT, OTR, & Shawna Sullivan, OTA, COTA
Location: Zoom - to be sent out day before the event
Title: Functional Cognition: Implications for Practice and Sustainable Outcomes
Speaker: Laurie Cecchi, OT, OTR
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 patient-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.
- Explain how choice of appropriate cognitive assessments in post-acute care settings may achieve clinical outcomes, contribute to client satisfaction, and facilitate client participation in everyday living., achieve clinical outcomes, contribute to client satisfaction, and facilitate client participation in everyday living.
Bio/Focus:
Laurie Cecchi, OT, OTR, CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist), 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:
Giles, G.M., Edwards, D.F., Baum, C., Furniss, J., Skidmore, E., Wolf, T., & Leland, N. E. (2020). Health Policy Perspectives--Making functional cognition a professional priority. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74, 7401090010. 
https://doi.og/10.5014/ajot.2020.741002
Burnett, J. Cully, J.A., Achebaum, A., Dyer, C.B., & Naik, A.D. (2001). Assessing self-efficacy for safe and independent living: A cross-sectional study of vulnerable older adults. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 30, 390-402. 
https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464810362898
https://research.aota.org/collection/6694/functional-cognition
https://www.aota.org/practice/practice-essentials/coding/functional-cognition-billing-and-coding-faq
https://www.aota.org/practice/practice-essentials/payment-policy/medicare1/medicare---role-of-ot-in-assessing-functional-cognition
This event will close at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2025.