Living with Dementia: A Doctor’s Perspective

Dementia is a complex neurodegenerative condition that not only affects cognitive and functional abilities but also significantly impacts families, caregivers, and support systems. This CME/CE course, 'Living with Dementia: A Doctor’s Perspective', equips healthcare professionals with the skills to offer compassionate, knowledgeable, and proactive guidance to patients and their loved ones throughout the dementia care journey.

Participants will first explore the process of obtaining a definitive diagnosis. The course emphasizes early recognition of dementia symptoms and appropriate use of diagnostic tools such as neuroimaging, neuropsychological testing, and clinical evaluation. Clinicians will learn how to support families through the often challenging and emotional process of confirming a diagnosis.

Next, the course highlights the benefits of clinical trial participation for patients with dementia. Professionals will gain strategies to discuss eligibility, informed consent, and how trial involvement can provide access to cutting-edge treatments while contributing to scientific advancement. The course encourages a collaborative and ethical approach to introducing research participation.

The final focus is on familial concerns—particularly addressing questions from the patient’s children or grandchildren regarding genetic risk and prevention. Learners will review current evidence on modifiable risk factors, including cardiovascular health, cognitive activity, and lifestyle interventions, and how to counsel family members on practical steps to reduce future risk.

Real-world scenarios, empathetic communication techniques, and resource sharing are integrated throughout the course to prepare providers to serve as trusted advocates for patients living with dementia. By the end of the course, clinicians will be able to deliver not only medical guidance but also emotional and psychosocial support tailored to each family's journey.

Educational Objectives

• Guide families in accessing diagnostic resources to obtain a definitive dementia diagnosis.
• Communicate the benefits and considerations of clinical trial participation for dementia patients.
• Address concerns about hereditary risk and provide prevention guidance to patients’ offspring.

Who Should Do This Course?

This course is designed for:

• Geriatricians and Neurologists supporting aging patients with cognitive decline.
• Primary Care Physicians and Internal Medicine specialists providing first-line dementia care.
• Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and Behavioral Health Specialists offering support for mental health and caregiver strain.
• Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and Hospice Providers managing long-term care and family education.
• Family Medicine Providers delivering whole-family care, especially in multigenerational households.

It is especially valuable for clinicians navigating early-stage diagnosis, family counseling, and decisions around treatment and trial participation.

Did You Know?

• Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60–80% of all dementia cases. (Alzheimer’s Association, 2023)
• Only 50% of people with dementia symptoms receive a formal diagnosis. (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2020)
• Dementia clinical trial participation remains below 10% of eligible patients. (Lancet Neurology, 2022)
• Regular physical activity may lower dementia risk by up to 35%. (JAMA Neurology, 2019)
• Family caregivers of dementia patients provide an estimated 18 billion hours of unpaid care annually in the U.S. (CDC, 2022)