Evidence-Based Assessment and Treatment of Dementia

It is estimated that 50% of all adults aged 85 years and older have some form of dementia and each year 7.7 million new cases are diagnosed. As our population ages these numbers will continue to increase. The one-year total cost for treating Alzheimer's dementia is $277 billion with $102 billion paid out of pocket. Dementia is also the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. As the disease progresses it creates functional and cognitive deficits and puts caregivers under emotional and financial stress. It is essential these patients receive adequate treatment and caregivers receive proper training in management of dementia to keep these patients at home as long as possible. As unwanted behaviors develop, motor control deteriorates and the ability to interact with the environment is lost, effective treatments need to match the level of cognition. As memory and cognition decline the ability to participate in therapy declines. It is critical that therapists are equipped to treat these medically complex patients to prolong a decline in functional motor control, ADL's and cognition.

This course will improve the participants' knowledge of treatment for cognition and memory. It includes a review of the stages of dementia with appropriate intervention strategies for each stage. The role of behaviors and use of redirection with be discussed with examples provided. Participants will use case studies to apply these principles to develop a plan of care for each stage of dementia.Participants will gain beneficial exercise strategies, activitiesand other rehab interventions to improve overall quality of life and functional goals.

Highlights

• Recognition of early predictors and the differences between the forms of dementia: Alzheimer's, Vascular, Lewy Body
• Perform a confident patient assessment and develop a treatment plan specific to each stage of dementia
• Confidently interpret the relationship betweenexercise and cognitive functioning
• Stage-specific rehabilitation approaches that adapt to cognitive decline to help patients maintain function throughout the progression of dementia
• Strategies and interventions to overcome difficult behaviors such as aggression and non- compliance
• Hands-on labs: Exercise programs, activities, maintenance and rehabilitation treatment strategiesfor patients with dementia

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