Living with Dementia: Shining a Light on Behaviors

43 Pages·2015·1.59 MB·English

by  Mercy Health System

Living with Dementia: Shining a Light on Behaviors
Meaghan Conlisk, LSW
Anna Marshalick, RN, MSN
Program Description
This 1.5 hour experiential learning session will immerse
attendees into the world of an elder living with dementia. The
program will “spotlight” behaviors that are often exhibited
and will “shine a light” on the origin. Attendees will be
provided with tools and strategies that can be utilized to
successfully manage behaviors. The program includes
demonstrations, role plays, open discussion and
hands on learning with the various tools and
strategies that can be used to effectively prevent
and/or de-escalate behaviors.
Objectives
At the completion of the program the participant will be
able to:
 Recognize behavioral responses as a form of
communication utilized by a person with dementia.
 Identify the root cause for behavioral responses.
 Utilize 3 strategies to prevent and/or de-escalate a
behavioral response.
Definition
Dementia is a
general term for a
decline in mental
ability severe
enough to interfere
with daily life.
Memory loss is an
example. Alzheimer's
is the most common
type of dementia
Overview of Dementia
More Facts
 Every 67 seconds someone
in the United States
develops Alzheimer’s
Disease
 The number of people living
with dementia worldwide is
currently estimated at 47.5
million
 The number of cases of
dementia are estimated to
more than triple by 2050
Myths
Myth 1:
Memory loss is a natural part of aging.
Myth 2:
Alzheimer’s disease is not fatal.
Myth 3:
Only older people can get Alzheimer's.
Myth 4:
Drinking out of aluminum cans or cooking in aluminum pots and
pans can leadto Alzheimer’s disease.
More Myths
Myth 5:
Aspartame causes memory loss.
Myth 6:
Flu shots increase risk of Alzheimer’s
disease.
Myth 7:
Silver dental fillings increase risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Myth 8:
There are treatments available to stop the progression of
Alzheimer's disease.
Overview of Dementia
 4 Million in the United States Suffer from Dementia
 60 Different Types
 Two Most Common are Alzheimer Disease and
Vascular Dementia
Alzheimer’s Disease – 60-80%
Early Symptoms: Difficulty remembering
recent conversations, names or events
Later Symptoms: Impaired
communication, poor judgment, disorientation,
confusion, behavior changes and difficulty
speaking, swallowing and walking.
Brain Changes:
 Plaques - deposits of the protein fragment
beta-amyloid
 Tangles- twisted strands of the protein tau
(tangles)
 Nerve cell damage and death in the brain