Reframing Dementia Behaviors for Effective Communication (Recorded Webinar)
Presented by Briana Kohlbrenner
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Nonfinancial: Briana Kohlbrenner has no competing nonfinancial interests or relationships with regard to the content presented in this course.
Dementia refers to a series of symptoms associated with cognitive decline and a loss in thinking and processing skills. Many different diseases cause dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common as well as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Improved awareness of the sensory challenges of dementia leads to better communication and more effective care. This course provides an overview of the different forms and stages of dementia, exploring the sensory changes that occur as someone progresses in the disease. With an understanding of the sensory changes, participants will learn to reframe the behaviors typically associated with dementia and learn skills to communicate and intervene with patients more effectively.
Meet your instructor
Briana Kohlbrenner
Briana Kohlbrenner is a social worker, currently serving as the project director at the Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence. She focuses primarily on geriatric-related programming, including the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) grant. In this role, Briana provides education around improving skills for the…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. What Is Dementia?
Dementia refers to a series of symptoms related to a decline in thinking and processing abilities. Many different diagnoses fall under the umbrella of dementia. This first chapter will define dementia, review some of the different forms, and explore some of the specific symptoms.
2. Dementia vs. Normal Aging
Understanding that dementia is not a normal part of aging is a key step in providing the most effective care. This chapter will review reversible conditions that may be mistaken for dementia and explore normal cognitive changes for older adults, as well as how these changes are different from dementia symptoms.
3. Types of Dementia
Dementia is the word used to refer to the symptoms associated with cognitive decline. This chapter will review the most common diseases that cause dementia.
4. Diagnosis, Assessment, and Intervention
This chapter will identify different tools used for diagnosis, assessment, and intervention and will address barriers to these tools.
5. Sensory Challenges of Dementia
In this chapter, sensory changes will be presented through case examples. This chapter will also provide information on the impact of the varying diseases that cause dementia on the different parts of the brain and explore how damage to these different parts of the brain impacts the senses.
6. Common Dementia Behaviors
This chapter will identify common dementia behaviors and reframe them in the context of coping skills and communication. Behaviors will be presented through case examples.
7. Effective Communication
This chapter will provide specific techniques for communication at the different stages of Alzheimer’s disease, with an awareness of the sensory challenges that may make communication difficult for the person with dementia. Video examples of these communication skills in practice will be provided.
8. Diversity in Dementia Care
This chapter will explore the demographic data related to dementia and identify best practices to promote inclusivity and equity in dementia care.
9. Question and Answer Session
In this segment, Briana will answer your questions from the webinar in a question and answer session.