Practical Approaches with Dementia: Preventing Catastrophic Reactions - 2/4/2025
Course Overview
A high percentage of people living with a neurocognitive disorder such as dementia will experience what some professionals refer to as Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) to include agitation and aggression. This can lead to catastrophic reactions, placing the patient and those around him or her in danger. The results of such high levels of agitation can lead to accelerated disease progression, increased mortality, and increased caregiver stress and costs. This course equips all healthcare professionals and team members with practical information and strategies including understanding the causes and triggers of catastrophic reactions and sharing practical strategies to effectively reduce or prevent such reactions. Following the course, attendees will be immediately equipped with techniques useful in their daily practice to optimally provide care and support of elders living with dementia.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Select examples of catastrophic reactions.
- Identify the common triggers leading to agitation and catastrophic reactions.
- Recognize the neurophysiological changes that lead to Sundowner's Syndrome.
- Identify the factors to be assessed in people living with dementia, to prevent their potential catastrophic reactions.
- Recognize the consequences of specific medication classes being prescribed for people with dementia.
- Identify how observation and tracking plans can result in prevention of future aggression and catastrophic reactions.
- Identify at least 5 strategies to implement for prevention of catastrophic reactions.
- Recognize the recommended protocols to address aggression when it’s already happening.
About the Author/Presenter
Lisa Young Milliken, MA, CCC-SLP, FNAP, CDP has served as a practitioner, regional manager, vice president, consultant, compliance director and education specialist. She has lectured at the state and national level with over 300 professional education courses on topics of importance to the healthcare professional. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and has mentored team members in senior retirement communities for their development of effective non-pharmacological strategies and dementia program management. She also volunteers with community programs in the Houston area to support caregivers of family members living with multiple disorders. She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, where she currently serves as a State Advocate for Medicare Policy for Texas. She is Vice President of Professional Services for the Texas Speech-Language and Hearing Association and also serves on the Financial Advisory Committee and the Publications Board of this organization. She is a Distinguished Fellow of Public Policy for the National Academies of Practice where she serves as the Co-Chair of the Forum Planning Committee and is a prior board president of the Louisiana Speech-Language and Hearing Association and an alumnus of the Council of State Association Presidents. Finally, she is a member of the Kingwood-Humble Aggie Mom Board and lives in Houston, Texas.
Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
Colibri Healthcare
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy
If you require special accommodations, please contact Colibri Healthcare Support by clicking here: Contact Us
<img src="https:/