With over 30 years of clinical and educational experience, Laurie Gunter Mantz is an Occupational Therapist, an international lecturer, a published author, a clinical educator, a certified dementia care trainer, and an adjunct professor. Laurie has created professional development training courses in dementia care for the University of RI Geriatric Education Center and RI College.
She is on the advisory board of the Johnson & Wales University Doctorate of OT program and has lectured to the Physician Assistant program. She is also a member of the RI State Advisory Committee for Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Laurie has lectured at dozens of conferences, trained thousands of professionals, and worked directly with family members, emphasizing the importance of person-centered care for those living with dementia.
Laurie also founded the non-profit RI Memory Cafés, which demonstrates the importance of social and intellectual stimulation, education, support, and fun for those living with dementia and their care partners. Laurie's leadership and influence in the field are evident in her advocacy for state and national plans to provide care for both those living with dementia and their care partners in NH, MA, RI, and Washington, DC.
As an Executive Director of a 65-bed all-memory care assisted living facility, she was the first to introduce
the Montessori Approach to dementia care. While in that position, one message was clear from family members;
professionals, ie: doctors, nurses, first responders, etc. did not understand how to care for
or interact with their loved ones! This is the reason for Dementia Training for Life:
To provide the education necessary for proper diagnosis, care, support, and
treatment for those individuals living with dementia.
She is on the advisory board of the Johnson & Wales University Doctorate of OT program and has lectured to the Physician Assistant program. She is also a member of the RI State Advisory Committee for Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Laurie has lectured at dozens of conferences, trained thousands of professionals, and worked directly with family members, emphasizing the importance of person-centered care for those living with dementia.
Laurie also founded the non-profit RI Memory Cafés, which demonstrates the importance of social and intellectual stimulation, education, support, and fun for those living with dementia and their care partners. Laurie's leadership and influence in the field are evident in her advocacy for state and national plans to provide care for both those living with dementia and their care partners in NH, MA, RI, and Washington, DC.
As an Executive Director of a 65-bed all-memory care assisted living facility, she was the first to introduce
the Montessori Approach to dementia care. While in that position, one message was clear from family members;
professionals, ie: doctors, nurses, first responders, etc. did not understand how to care for
or interact with their loved ones! This is the reason for Dementia Training for Life:
To provide the education necessary for proper diagnosis, care, support, and
treatment for those individuals living with dementia.