Roy D. Steinberg – The Aging Brain: Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias: 2-Day Comprehensive Training Course

Outline

DAY ONE

Brain Topography, Function, and “Normal Aging”

• Temporal Lobe
• Frontal Lobe
• Parietal Lobe
• Occipital Lobe
• Impact of dementia on brain structure and functioning
• How we view the patient – compassion and sensitivity in your work

Cognitive Disorder and “Forgetfulness”

• ”Normal aging” and ageism
• Transient Cognitive Decline
• Pre-cursor to dementia
• Mild Neuro-Cognitive Disorder

Clearly Understand Diagnosis for Alzheimer’s Disease and Differentiate it from Other Dementias

• Alzheimer’s
• Vascular
• Parkinson’s
• Lewy Body
• Frontotemporal
• Potentially reversible conditions
• Wernicke-Korsakoff

Easy-to-Use Cognitive Assessment Tools

• Mini-Mental State Examination
• SLUMS
• Clinical applications
• Administration and scoring
• Objective and subjective interpretation

The Latest Medications and Preventative Treatments

• Current medications
• Early and Mid-stage Alzheimer’s
• Mid and Late-stage Alzheimer’s
• Preventative treatments
• Alternate interventions

DAY TWO

Mental Health Evaluation

• Depression
  • Major Depression
  • Persistent Depressive Disorder
  • Adjustment Disorder
  • Grief
• Anxiety
• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar Disorder
• Alcohol Abuse
• Differentiate dementia and depression
• Practical applications

Mental Health Interventions

• Therapy modalities
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
• Music Therapy
• Art Therapy
• Pet Therapy
• Garden Therapy

Difficult Behaviors Related to Dementia: Triggers and Effective Intervention Techniques

• Goals and general concepts
• Individualizing care – strengths and limitations
• Depression
• Delusions and hallucinations
• Potential causes and complications
• Agitation/restlessness – triggers and care planning
• Activities of Daily Living – structure and engagement strategies
• Tactics for verbal and physical combativeness
• Elopement – reduce risks and action steps
• Adapting as the disease progresses

Sexual Intimacy in the Elderly

• Sexual manifestations and expression
• Dementia and marital sex
• Assessment tools for ability to consent
• Sexual expressiveness and interventions for dignity

Working with Caregivers: Family as Members of the Care Team

• The most common questions from family
• Family dynamics
• Normalizing change
• Anticipatory grief counseling
• Caregiver self-assessment scale
• Caregiver stress, depression and guilt – coping mechanisms
• Coping for the clinician

Ethics

• End of life issues
• Responsibility to patient
• Power of Attorney
• Caregiver stress, depression and guilt – coping mechanisms
• Documentation