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On Demand May 16, 2007

Practical Tips on Management of Patients with Dementia in the Home

Broadcast Date: May 16, 2007 | (1 hour, 45 minutes)

Handouts/Resources

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Post-Conference Materials

HHA/HA Sign In Sheet (1 page)
HHA/HA Evaluation (1 page)
Social Worker Evaluation (1 page)
Social Worker Sign In Sheet (1 page)
Social Worker Exam (1 page)

Program Overview

Dementia is a common, disabling and distressing neurological disorder and should not be considered a feature of normal aging. Dementia is word for a group of symptoms caused by disorders that affect the brain. It is not a specific disease. People with dementia may not be able to think well enough to do normal activities, such as getting dressed or eating. They may lose their ability to solve problems or control their emotions. Their personalities may change. They may become agitated or see things that are not there. The proportion of aging individuals who develop dementia is substantial, and the aging segment of the population is expanding worldwide.

Caring for a loved one with dementia poses many challenges for families and caregivers. We aren't born knowing how to communicate with a person with dementia—but we can learn. Improving your communication skills will help make caregiving less stressful and will likely improve the quality of your relationship with your loved one. Good communication skills will also enhance your ability to handle the difficult behavior you may encounter as you care for a person with a dementing illness.

Program faculty will provide some practical strategies for dealing with the troubling behavior problems and communication difficulties often encountered when caring for a person with dementia.

Faculty

Richard E. Powers, MD
Medical Director and Director
Bureau of Geriatric Psychiatry
Alabama Department of Mental Health/Mental Retardation
Associate Professor of Pathology
Division of Neuropathology
School of Medicine
University of Alabama at Birmingham