Nursing Management of Dementia: Overview

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Video Runtime: 56 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 15 Minutes

Studies show that nurses and other caregivers who are specifically trained in caring for older adults with dementia are able to improve the quality of life for these individuals, are more productive, and have greater job satisfaction. Caregivers must be prepared to manage the challenging behaviors which are common among individuals who are suffering from dementia. There are marked psychiatric and behavioral problems which occur in individuals who have a weak perception of reality and who experience memory loss as well as delusions or hallucinations. This course describes the role of the geriatric nurse within the interprofessional team and offers strategies to identify and manage common problems that occur.

Meet your instructor

Lisa Byrd

Lisa Byrd, PhD, FNP-BC, GNP-BC, Gerontologist, is an expert in caring for older adults and a seasoned Certified Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Geriatric Nurse Practitioner. She treats numerous patients in nursing homes, an outpatient clinic, and hospital inpatient settings.

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. Normal Aging Changes

As individuals age, there are normal changes affecting vision, hearing, gait, and the like. This chapter discusses normal aging changes that occur as we age and how these changes affect memory, behavior, and health.

2. Types of Dementia

There are various types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Parkinson’s dementia, Pick’s disease, and Lewy Body dementia. This chapter discusses the various dementias and their pathophysiology.

3. Environment and Routine Effects on Behaviors

The environment and routine day-to-day activities can cause a person with dementia to be calm, or they can trigger aggressive behaviors. This chapter discusses how the environment and routine affect a person with dementia and offers suggestions to maintain stability.

4. Challenging behaviors associated with Dementia

Agitation, aggression, and psychosis can occur in individuals with a diagnosis of dementia. This chapter discusses the problematic and challenging behaviors which can occur and reviews common triggers for these behaviors.

5. Techniques to Manage Challenging Behaviors in Individuals with Dementia

Strategies to manage problematic behaviors in individuals with dementia will be reviewed, including a review of environmental triggers and techniques to alter the surroundings to de-escalate agitation and aggression and to create a calmer and less stressed patient.

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