In a 2017 report, a committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine evaluated the most rigorous, up-to-date research on how to prevent cognitive decline and dementia, as well as recommended ways to conduct future prevention research. This video, featuring several members of the committee, highlights the report’s conclusions and recommendations.
Looking for Alzheimer’s caregiving information in Spanish?
This new book from the National Institute on Aging (part of the National Institutes on Health) has helpful tips on topics including: changes in behavior; wandering; healthy eating and exercise; and caregiver health.
Copies are available to order for free on our website, or read the new Alzheimer’s caregiving information in Spanish online.
Need inspiration for how other communities have tried to improve the well-being and socialization of persons with dementia. This article in The Atlantic from 2014 about the “dementia village” in Hogeway, The Netherlands, is one prototype. If an entire village designed for the needs of persons with dementia is not likely in your community, what elements can be used to make your community more “dementia friendly?”
“The environmental approaches to reducing both cognitive and behavioral problems associated with dementia are really the key to improving quality of life for these patients without excess medication.”
Dr. Paul Newhouse, Director of Vanderbilt University’s Center for Cognitive Medicine.
Are there any examples of dementia-specific care coordination models, particularly models that help individuals navigate health care and community resources?
Minnesota offers dementia care best practice training for care coordinators and has created a practice tool for care coordinators along with a training description and video tutorials.
Video tutorials – scroll to bottom of the page
A report on care coordination for people with dementia and family caregivers also has been released.
Currently, more than five million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease. Training for the primary care workforce about dementia, and caring for those affected, is essential.
With federal partners and public stakeholders, the Health Resources and Services Administration created a curriculum—16 core modules and four supplemental modules—for health educators to train the primary care workforce about dementia care, and to help providers address caregiver needs.
To promote interprofessional teamwork in the care of persons living with dementia, this curriculum may be used by:
- Health professions faculty
- Primary care practitioners
- Members of the interprofessional geriatrics care team
- Direct service workers
Modules 1-12 contain information about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias of particular interest to the primary care workforce. Modules 13-16 specify the roles of specific health care professions in dementia care. All 16 core modules include a PowerPoint presentation, with detailed notes, and a reference list, to assist with teaching and presentations.
The modules focus primarily on outpatient rather than residential care because the majority of persons living with dementia remain in their homes during the earlier, and some even through later stages, of dementia.
The curriculum modules can be accessed here.
Module 1: Overview of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia for an Interprofessional Team
Module 2: Diagnosing Dementia
Module 3: Recognizing the Role of Diversity in Dementia Care
Module 4: Providing and Discussing a Dementia Diagnosis
Module 5: Understanding Early-Stage Dementia for an Interprofessional Team
Module 6: Understanding the Middle Stage of Dementia for the Interprofessional Team
Module 7: Management of Common Medical Conditions Observed During Middle and Late Stages of Dementia
Module 8: Medical Treatments of Dementia
Module 9: Interprofessional Team Roles and Responsibilities
Module 10: Effective Care Transitions to and from Acute Care Hospitals
Module 11: Ethics and Capacity Issues
Module 12: Palliative and End-of-Life Care for Persons Living with Dementia
Module 13: Clinical Social Workers and Clinical Psychologists: Practicing with Persons Living with Dementia and their Care Partners
Module 14: The Role of Acute Care Staff in Emergency Departments (EDs) and Hospitals for Persons Living with Dementia
Module 15: Role of the Pharmacist in the Management of Persons living with dementia
Module 16: Dentistry and Dementia
Shawnee Alliance in collaboration with SIU-Family Practice Memory Clinic, SIU-School of Social Work Dr. Elaine Jurkowski and the Carbondale Regional Alzheimer representative will be offering the Savvy Caregiver Program course starting in September 28th thru November 2nd.
To reach the persons we feel could benefit, the Memory Clinic will be reaching out to their patients and Shawnee Alliance will be reaching out to Family Caregiver clients we are aware of.
There are a few unique opportunities being offered:
- The care receivers will either be in the Memory Clinic testing or being cared for by Dr. Jurkowski “Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST)” group.
- The care givers will be in the “Savvy Caregiver” program.
- All will be located in the Memorial Hospital of Carbondale complex, with ADS in Carbondale also being approached to assist if unable to participate in the CST.
- We will have telephonic access available as well as Care Coordinators from Shawnee Alliance will offer face to face in the home if necessary.
For more information about the program (or how to think about setting up a similar one in your community), please contact:
Community Service Unit Director
Phone: 618-985-8322 or 618-956-9627
Check out these 5 tips to make communication easier between you and a person with Alzheimer’s:
- Make eye contact and call the person by name
- Be aware of your tone, how loud your voice is, how you look at the person, and your body language
- Encourage two-way conversation for as long as possible
- Use other methods besides speaking, such as gentle touching
- Try distracting the person if communication creates problems
Visit the ADEAR website to learn more about the changes in communication that may accompany Alzheimer’s disease.