Simplifying Dementia: Creating a Game Plan to Confidently Care for Patients with Dementia

Current evidence finds that the number of US adults who develop dementia each year is projected to increase from approximately 514,000 in 2020 to approximately 1 million in 2060. This trend highlights the importance of developing a transferable, yet modifiable template to confidently care for this growing patient population. Unfortunately, for many clinicians, treating patients with dementia can be a complexand often frustrating task, leading to therapeutic nihilism or otherwise doubting the benefit of therapy. However, with careful planning, communication strategies and environmental set-up, the treatment of those with dementia can be much less daunting. Whether you realize it or not, the "silver tsunami" has arrived and the rising tide of patientssuffering with dementia is here and impacting all settings where physical, occupational and speech therapy isdelivered. This rise calls on all clinicians to be equipped with tools to confidently and boldly treat those with dementia at all stages and educate their caregivers.

During this course you will learn strategies for developing rapport, trust and relationships, before providing any interventions with your patient suffering from dementia. Thecourse will review interventions to confidently treat patients atall stages of dementia. This course will also address and discuss strategies to confidently and effectively educate and manage caregivers. You will leave this course with a fluid template or game plan that can be used to confidently initiate and execute care of those with dementia no matter the stage or level of caregiver involvement.

Highlights

• Improve confidence in treating those with a dementia diagnosis
• Strategies to simplify complex dementia patients
• Plan a successful treatment session with a patient suffering from dementia
• Learn communication skills that can be implemented immediately to set yourself up for a successful treatment session
• Create a safe environment that promotes optimal patient ADL performance
• Confidently speak to caregivers or family members about their loved one's dementia diagnosis

Target Audience: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Speech-Language Pathologists