(Ventura, California) Dealing with dementia will be the focus of a free seminar Community Memorial Health System is sponsoring on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Charles Pankratz, M.D., a Ventura internist who is board certified in hospice and palliative medicine, will lead the discussion during the seminar to be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the eighth-floor Nichols Auditorium at Community Memorial Hospital at 147 Brent St. in Ventura.

Dr. Pankratz will discuss the types of dementia and clinical courses available today as well as services and referral processes for hospice. Dr. Pankratz also will cover the Medicare Hospice Benefit for Dementia. With much experience visiting patients in their homes and long-term care facilities, Dr. Pankratz will offer important details on caring for a dementia patient, with a focus on the health, financial and social impacts of the disease. He also will highlight the latest drug treatment available for dementia.

Dr. Pankratz received his medical degree at the University of California at Davis and completed his internship as well as his residency in Internal Medicine at Harbor UCLA Medical Center in Torrance. He is a member of the medical staff at Community Memorial Hospital.

Admission is free, but space is limited, so reservations are suggested. Call 652-5436, or visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp.