Types of Dementia and Impacts on Treatment

Dementia is a broad term for a decline in mental ability that is significant enough to interfere with a person's daily life. Some of the most commonly occurring types of dementia are Alzheimer's disease, primary progressive aphasia, Lewy Body dementia, and vascular dementia. Since there is no cure for dementia, this disease results in a progressive decline of cognitive and functional skills. Many individuals with dementia also experience behavioral changes, decreased safety awareness, difficulty eating/swallowing, and decreased independence completing ADLs. This course is designed for therapists and healthcare professionals so thatthey may improve outcomes, safety, and quality of life for individuals and their caregivers living with various types of dementia.

This course will facilitate learning about various types of dementia and how they impact cognitive functions, interventions, and education/training strategies. Emphasis will be placed on differentiating between symptoms of various types of dementia, improving patient function and safety, and caregiver education.

Highlights

• Learn about the different types of dementia and the neuroscience behind them
• Improve your knowledge of the physical and cognitive implications of several types of dementia to more effectively implement evidence-based treatment approaches
• Acquire knowledge of the effects of dementias on families and caregivers, and discover practical ways toprovide training and education to family and caregivers

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