Alzheimer Disease
Course Overview
This continuing education course is intended to increase the knowledge and skills of those who are called upon to care for people with Alzheimer disease. This course contains a significant amount of information that pertains to necessary care by physicians, nurses, behavioral health professionals, caregivers, and other healthcare professionals. It also includes relevant information for all members of the interdisciplinary team to utilize when ensuring the follow-up and care of patients with Alzheimer disease. In order to support the interdisciplinary team approach, the course includes an appendix with specific nursing and caregiver interventions as well as information about special care facilities.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Outline the characteristics and impact of Alzheimer disease.
- Summarize the pathophysiologic changes in the brain related to dementia and Alzheimer disease.
- Describe the different types of memory.
- List the clinical manifestations of Alzheimer disease in relation to stage of disease.
- Identify the goals and components of the diagnostic workup, including assistance in diagnosing non-English-proficient patients.
- Discuss the planning issues facing the family after the diagnosis is made.
- Identify components of a therapeutic environment and devise a strategy for managing patients with Alzheimer disease.
- Describe the appropriate pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment modalities available for Alzheimer disease.
- Discuss components of care in working with patients with Alzheimer disease, including rehabilitation and management of coexisting illnesses.
- Describe interventions for impaired communication.
- Identify and develop safeguards for issues of sexuality and intimacy that may occur in patients with Alzheimer disease.
- Apply interventions for maintaining and enhancing nutrition for individuals with Alzheimer disease.
- Describe successful approaches and skillfully apply interventions for managing specific behaviors common to patients with Alzheimer disease.
- Compare the techniques used for reminiscing, reality orientation, and validation therapy.
- Describe and facilitate the care required by those with end-stage Alzheimer disease.
- Describe and utilize effective interventions for providing support to family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer disease.
About the Author/Presenter
Joan Needham, MSEd, RNC, was a graduate of Copley Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. She earned a baccalaureate degree in nursing from the College of Saint Francis in 1977 and a Master’s degree in adult education from Northern Illinois University in 1981. She was certified in gerontological nursing by the American Nurses Association and worked in nursing education at various colleges in Illinois for many years. Regrettably, Ms. Needham passed away in 2010.
John M. Leonard, MD, Professor of Medicine Emeritus, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, completed his post-graduate clinical training at the Yale and Vanderbilt University Medical Centers before joining the Vanderbilt faculty in 1974. He is a clinician-educator and for many years served as director of residency training and student educational programs for the Vanderbilt University Department of Medicine. Over a career span of 40 years, Dr. Leonard conducted an active practice of general internal medicine and an inpatient consulting practice of infectious diseases.
Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
Counselor, Nursing, Physician, Psychology, Social Work
Colibri Healthcare
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
Respiratory Therapy
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