About professional training

The Alzheimer's Association is committed to helping professionals improve their knowledge and skills, builder stronger teams and deliver better care to people with dementia and their families. Training and education programs are geared to professionals working in both community-based and residential care settings.

Our programs and meetings have been attended by activity professionals, administrators, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers and staff trainers. Many of our programs offer CEU's.

Dementia Care Training - CCDI Training Level I

Purpose
The purpose of this training is to improve the health and well-being of residents who have Alzheimer's disease and other dementias by providing professionals with the skills they need to effectively identify and meet the needs of these residents and their families.  For caregivers working in CCDI (Chronic Confusion or Dementing Illness) units or facilities.

Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

• Describe Alzheimer’s disease, its signs, symptoms, progression and effect on the brain and behavior.
  Discuss ways to effectively communicate with individuals with Alzheimer's disease, their families and other concerned persons.
• Examine techniques to assist persons with Alzheimer's disease with activities of daily living.
• Describe a person-centered environment and its benefits to residents.
• Identify and respond appropriately to challenging symptoms and situations.
• Describe a person-centered care plan.
• Discuss key family issues and dynamics such as role-reversal, grief, loss and guilt.
• Describe ways to ease adjustment to care facility residency for both residents and family members.
• List strategies for staff support and stress reduction.

Beyond the Basics - CCDI Training Level II

Purpose
This program expands on the topics presented in the six (6) hour basic education required by the State of Iowa for caregivers working in Chronic Confusion or Dementing Illness units or facilities. In-depth discussion on pain assessment and management, meeting food and fluid needs and implementing meaningful activities for persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is discussed.
 
Objectives
The content of this program is designed to meet the following learning needs:

• Review the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s.
• Compare and contrast findings of the Global Deterioration Scale with those of the Mini Mental Status Exam for persons with Alzheimer’s.
• Examine the medications used to preserve thinking ability, ease challenging symptoms and improve the quality of life for persons with Alzheimer’s.
• Explore the verbal and behavioral indicators of pain in a person with cognitive impairment due to dementia and pharmacologic and non-phamacologic interventions for pain management.
• Recognize other causes of dementia both reversible and irreversible.
• Apply the principles of Person Centered Care for someone with Alzheimer’s dementia including ways to communicate and the use of a Life Story Book.
• Manage challenging symptoms with a function oriented rather than custodial approach.
• Determine the components of quality end-of-life care and ways to support families with difficult decisions.

  

Education Opportunities

Dementia Care for Assisted Living

Wednesday, May 21
9am-3:30pm
Alzheimer's Association office
1730 28th Street
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Registration fee: $40
Participants must pre-register by May 16 by calling 1.515.440.2722.

This 6-hour course is offered to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for healthcare personnel to work with persons with Alzheimer's residing in assisted living communities.  This program is approved for 0.6 CEUs for nurses, included in registration fee.  An additional $10 will be assessed for CE certificates for nurses.

Details and content description available by clicking here.

 

Seminars and conferences

Please check back for more information as it becomes available.

 

 

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