Full Course Description

Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias Certification Training​

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Determine how the manifestations of each type of dementia impacts identification and prognosis.
  2. Develop a synopsis of 2 assessment tools that can be employed to screen for possible cognitive difficulty.
  3. Utilize non-verbal communication skills that can help professionals identify meanings behind gestures when working with patients who have dementia.
  4. Evaluate how patient safety can be enhanced with strategies to redirect wandering and manage paranoia.
  5. Investigate how the latest medications, preventative treatments, and advances in early detection could impact care of people with dementia.
  6. Analyze end of life issues and elder abuse and correlate how the ethics of dying impact the clinician, client, and their family.

Outline

Manifestations and Prognosis for Each Type of Dementia

  • Cognitive decline vs. normal aging
  • Mild Neuro-Cognitive Disorder
  • Manifestations and prognosis for:
    • Alzheimer’s
    • Vascular Dementia
    • Lewy Body Dementia
    • Frontotemporal Dementia
    • Parkinson’s
  • Stages of dementia
  • Psuedo-dementias and reversible conditions
Cognitive Assessment Tools and Advances in Early-Detection
  • MOCA and SLUMS
    • Step-by-step utilization
    • What they tell you and what they don’t
  • Brain imaging
  • Research on biomarkers
  • Genetic risk profiling
  • When to refer for a formal neuropsychological assessment
Behavioral Interventions Toolbox: Causes and Solutions to Challenging Behaviors
  • Identifying triggers for challenging behaviors
  • Assess for pain in dementia patients
  • What do for sundowning?
  • Techniques to minimize combativeness and aggressive behaviors
  • Strategies to redirect wandering
  • Paranoia – causes and management
  • Effective responses to hallucinations and delusions
  • Strategies to reduce repetitive behaviors
  • How to improve personal care and activities of daily living
Communication Strategies to Improve Care
  • Successful non-verbal communication – find meaning behind gestures
  • Best practices to avoid arguments
  • Questions to ask, and how to ask them
  • Innovative communication tools
Psychopharmacology and Nutrition: The Latest Medications and Preventative Treatments
  • Approved medications for behavioral and cognitive symptoms
  • Nutritive interventions for Alzheimer’s prevention
  • Disease modifying medication
Ethical Issues Related to Dementia
  • End of life issues
  • Reporting abuse (physical, sexual, financial)
  • Multicultural considerations
  • Limitations, risks, and areas of further research

Target Audience

  • Social Workers
  • Counselors
  • Psychologists
  • Psychotherapists
  • Psychiatrists
  • Case Managers
  • Marriage & Family Therapists
  • Nursing Home Administrator
  • Speech-Language Pathologists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Occupational Therapy Assistants
  • Physical Therapists
  • Physical Therapist Assistants
  • Nurses
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • Licensed Practical Nurses
  • Certified Nurses Assistants
  • Homecare Workers
  • Other Rehab, Medical and Mental Health Professionals

Copyright : 03/20/2020