OVERVIEW

Behavioral Problems and Dementia is organized by OnlineContinuingED, LLC. This course has been approved for a maximum of 1.0 Credit Hours(s).

Course Description:
Behavioral problems decrease the quality of life of people with dementia and their care providers. Three main consequences of dementia are functional impairment and in some cases also mood disorders and psychosis. These consequences, alone or in combination, result in 3 main behavioral problems: apathy, agitation, and
rejection of care/aggression. Nonpharmacologic management strategies include meaningful activities and individualized comfort care, for example, Namaste Care. If needed, pharmacologic management should concentrate on the treatment of main dementia consequences, especially depression, instead of treating secondary symptoms, for example, insomnia. Use of antipsychotics should be minimized but antipsychotics may be necessary for augmentation of antidepressants.

Course Objectives:
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
• List and describe the 3 behavioral problems in people with dementia including apathy, agitation, and rejection of care/aggression
• Describe and differentiate agitation vs. rejection of care/aggression and list 1 key factor in symptom management of each condition
• List and describe 2 nonpharmacologic interventions that can be used in managing behavioral symptoms in people with dementia
• List 10 problematic behaviors that are commonly evaluated using the CohenMansfield Agitation Inventory scale
• List 3 other conditions that include apathy as a feature or characteristic