Early Dementia Predictors, Assessments, & Interventions: Maximize Therapeutic Outcomes

• • Identify five predictors of dementia
• • Articulate the complex relationship between depression and dementia
• • List types and stages of dementia with sample cognitive linguistic interventions for each
• • Outline simple language and how to redirect hallucinatory and delusional moments
• • Implement prevention strategies including nutritional status strengthening, screening for epilepsy, using lighting to improve sleep patterns, emotional and peer support, and building of meaningful skill sets
• • Choose the proper screening tool for depression in any phase of dementia

Explore Effective Strategies for Each Stage of Dementia
By the year 2030 it is predicted that 20% of the population will be age 65 or older, and the number of people suffering from dementia worldwide is expected to hit 76 million. There is a natural tendency for elderly individuals to become increasingly isolated, and lose interest in daily activities. Some become more indecisive and lose the ability to concentrate, causing psychomotor agitation and insomnia, which leads to weight loss and decreased energy. The culmination of these symptoms is depression, which is extremely common in preclinical Alzheimer's disease and often a predictor that dementia may be on its way. These changes are so subtle that family members and caregivers often do not see the impact until it is beyond the stages of early dementia.

In this course attendees discover the important predictors of dementia and distinguish between the various types. Explore effective intervention strategies for each stage of dementia and identify proper depression screening tools. Caregiver education strategies will be provided and you will leave with multiple prevention and intervention approaches to implement in clinical practice immediately.