Laurie Gunter Mantz, OTR, CDP, CADDCT, CFRDT, CMDCP, CDSGF, CDCM

Director

Laurie Gunter Mantz is the founder and CEO of Dementia Training for Life, LLC, a company that specializes in the training of healthcare professionals, First Responders and family members to provide person-centered care for those with neurocognitive disorders, better known as dementia. With over 30 years of clinical and educational experience, Laurie is an Occupational Therapist, an international lecturer, a published author, a clinical educator, and a nationally certified dementia care trainer. Laurie has created professional development trainings for the University of RI Geriatric Education Center and RI College, is on the advisory board for Johnson & Whales University Doctorate of OT program, and on the Leadership Council for National Consumer Voice. Laurie is a member of the Lt. Governor’s Executive Board of the RI State Plan for Alzheimer’s and related disorders. She is also the founder for the non-profit RI Memory Cafés currently held virtually twice weekly due to COVID-19.

Laurie is an advocate at the state and national levels for those with neurodegenerative disorders. She is actively involved in the development of a healthcare workforce that is prepared to attend to the special needs of those diagnosed with all forms of dementia and their care partners. She is involved in research and has lectured at conferences, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted livings and to the general public to improve the care for and reduce the stigma of “dementia”. She has been recognized by the international group, the Purple Angel Ambassadors for her advocacy work.