October 3, 2022 Member Submission
The Dementia Care and Education Campus (DCEC), an innovation of Hospice of the Valley, has received a contract award from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health to address the rising incidence of Alzheimer’s and other dementias in our community. This challenging, progressive disease currently impacts more than 6 million Americans a year and takes a huge toll on family caregivers.
With this contract, the Campus will bring together and educate more than 3,000 primary care and other health providers in Maricopa County about dementia diagnosis and management. The goal is to equip our medical community with vital tools to support caregivers and enhance quality of life for persons living with all stages of the disease—early to advanced.
Supporting patients and their families well before they need hospice care has been a focus of Hospice of the Valley’s experienced dementia team. Last year, the nonprofit agency’s Supportive Care for Dementia program cared for over 1,500 individuals living with earlier stages of dementia. This comprehensive model provides compassionate in-home support and vital resources to families at no charge.
The Campus will partner with primary healthcare providers throughout the county to ensure medical professionals in our community work together to share best practices in dementia care and receive professional education certifications. The contract runs through 2023.
Providers are encouraged to call (602) 767-8300 or email education@dementiacampus.org to learn more about this unique training opportunity.
DEMENTIA CARE AND EDUCATION CAMPUS
PRESENTATIONS FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
(HOV is an accredited provider of CME. CE and NCIA certifications pending.)
What Every Provider Needs to Know About Dementia
⮹ Describe the most common types of dementia and typical presentation.
⮹ Understand how to differentiate delirium and other causes of cognitive changes from dementia. ⮹ Describe a brief cognitive evaluation to screen for dementia in a primary care practice. ⮹ Identify important steps to consider before prescribing.
⮹ Know three local resources to assist families in caring for persons living with dementia.
Assessment and diagnosis of dementia
⮹ Describe cognitive screening tools to achieve early recognition and diagnosis of dementia in primary care. ⮹ Describe how to evaluate the behavioral, safety and functional needs of patients. ⮹ Describe the typical workup for diagnosing dementia.
⮹ Understand how to differentiate delirium from dementia.
⮹ Know when to refer to a memory specialist for further evaluation of dementia.
The Good, the Bad and the Agitating: Understanding Medications that Help and Harm ⮹ Describe current medications approved to treat dementia and their effectiveness. ⮹ Understand classes of medications to avoid that may exacerbate cognitive deficits. ⮹ Discuss concept of polypharmacy and importance of medication review each visit to minimize side effects. ⮹ Describe medications used to treat behavioral manifestations in dementia and understand supporting data.
Decoding Behaviors in Dementia
⮹ Describe how behaviors express unmet needs (pain, fear, urinary/constipation issues, desire to move). ⮹ List two approaches that will minimize agitated and aggressive behaviors in persons living with dementia. ⮹ Describe three common medication mistakes in managing agitation (4 P’s).
Vitamin M (Music) for Dementia: How Music Strikes a Chord
⮹ Describe “individualized music” and why it is important for the person with dementia. ⮹ Discuss evidence-based findings as to how music can positively impact persons living with dementia. ⮹ Explain the step-by-step process of providing music for persons living with dementia.
What happens next? Best Practices in Palliative Dementia Care
⮹ Discuss essential considerations in care along disease trajectory from diagnosis to death. ⮹ Identify the core elements to be addressed in a plan of care for those choosing palliative dementia care. ⮹ Explain two evidence-based steps to maximize comfort and quality of life.
To schedule a presentation, email education@dementiacampus.org or call (602) 767-8300
3811 N. 44th St. Phoenix, AZ 85018 (602) 767-8300 dementiacampus.org
An innovation of Hospice of the Valley
DP 6744 | 09.22
Dementia Care and Education Campus Presentations for Allied Health Care Providers (Social Workers, Case Managers, AL managers/staff and others)
(CE and NCIA certifications pending)
They Never Used to Act Like This: Non-Pharmacologic Dementia Treatment ⮹ Understand how to teach family members the basic principles of approaching persons living with dementia. ⮹ Know how to customize sensory experiences for meaningful engagement.
⮹ Know about—and be able to provide to family members—written guides and brief videos about managing behavioral challenges (guides provided by DCEC faculty).
It Takes a Village: Community Resources for Dementia
⮹ Describe community resources to provide respite care and adult day care (AAA, SAIL, VS, FSL and other agencies).
⮹ Describe community resources to assist with placement (ALTCS, Supportive Care for Dementia and other agencies).
⮹ Describe community resources to support caregivers (support groups, memory cafes, training in approach, OT and PT, etc.).
Sometimes Superheroes Need to Rest Too: Caregiver Support Strategies ⮹ Be able to use the Zarit Burden Inventory (ZBI) to assess caregiver stress.
⮹ Understand common sources of caregiver stress and know three basic principles that providers can use to support families.
⮹ Describe two methods of treating anxiety and depression in caregivers.
⮹ Be able to refer caregivers to community support (Alzheimer’s Association, Supportive Care for Dementia, etc.).
To schedule a presentation
E-mail: education@dementiacampus.org
Call: (602) 767-8300