Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia and the Therapist (Updated 2018) (7 contact hours) (#202)

Description

Physical and occupational therapists in a geriatric setting frequently work with patients who have dementia; therefore, it is helpful for the therapist to be familiar with the disease, pharmacologic treatments, and latest research. Difficulty in communication, behavior issues, perceptual and cognitive problems all impact therapy and the way the therapist relates to these clients. In this course you will learn normal brain anatomy and function; causes, characteristics and different types of dementia; the latest research in diagnostic testing for dementia; pharmacologic therapy for Alzheimer's; ongoing Alzheimer's research and potential future therapies; how to assess cognitive impairment using Instrumental Activities of Daily Living; strategies to optimize communication; how to address challenging behaviors; how to improve cognition and physical function; and how you can prevent dementia. Case studies are included. This course is a must for any therapist working in the growing field of geriatrics! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------***COURSE OBJECTIVES***After studying these course materials, you should be able to demonstrate by examination that you have met the following objectives: 1. Differentiate the role of brain lobes involved in recognition, naming, and memory. Understand where memories are formed and stored. 2. Define organic brain syndrome and dementia and identify the major causes of each. Understand how dementia differs from organic brain syndrome. 3. Identify tests used to evaluate the patient with dementia. Be able to perform objective functional tests, and screen for functional change. 4. Recall pharmacologic therapy for dementia. Understand several classes of drugs used to treat dementia and why they work. 5. Recognize the beta amyloid and inflammation hypothesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Be familiar with current research into the cause of Alzheimer’s disease. 6. Employ communication strategies for evaluation and treatment of patients with dementia. Knowing how to communicate with a patient with dementia will allow you to better implement your therapy treatment strategy. 7. Recall how to optimize therapy for a patient with attention deficit or other cognitive impairment. Learn how to achieve the best therapy outcome despite the patient’s cognitive limitations. 8. Recall how to assess severity of cognitive deficit by using instrumental activities of daily living. Use the instrumental activities of daily living to determine how dementia affects the patient’s daily function. 9. Identify how to address challenging behaviors in a patient with dementia and document appropriately. This will help you extinguish undesirable behaviors. 10. Cite evidence that cognitive-motor training helps improve cognition. Define this technique and its effectiveness and be able to use it. 11. Recall how errorless learning and hands-on training can help with therapy for the patient with cognitive impairment. Know the technique and how to use it. 12. Recall how the type of gait disorder may suggest the cause of dementia. Recognize the “frontal” gait associated with dementia. 13. Identify common sense measures to prevent dementia. Employ this advice to prevent dementia in your patients, yourself, your friends or loved ones.

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