Dementia Training Manual

HILLTOP DEMENTIA TRAINING MANUAL A CAREGIVING TOOL FOR FAMILIES & PROFESSIONALS Revised January 2015 PREFACE This Dementia Training Manual was created in the hopes of offering a comprehensive and practical training on understanding and caring for persons with dementia. This material was compiled to educate as many people as possible, because we live in a world with an increasing number of people with dementia and we know that the more you understand dementia, the better you can care for people with dementia, whether it is a family member, friend, or Hilltop resident. This manual is not copywritten and can therefore be copied and shared with others. This manual is given for free to any individual or family who is caring for a person with dementia. Donations to Senior Daybreak of Hilltop to offset the cost of printing are welcome. (approx. $10 each manual to print). This manual is also available as a free PDF document for those interested in obtaining an electronic file at htop.org Senior Life Options Senior Daybreak Resources “Dementia Training Manual” ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The information in this “Hilltop Dementia Training Manual” was compiled from various resources by Laurie Frasier, Joni Karp, and Rachel Brown, from their work at the Alzheimer’s Association, their personal experience caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, various Alzheimer’s websites and books, and by their experience caring for persons with dementia through their positions at Hilltop Community Resources with Senior Daybreak of Hilltop, The Commons Assisted Living, and The Fountains Assisted Living. To the best of their ability they have given credit to all known resources from which the information was collected and adapted. If you no longer need this manual, please pass it on to someone else who might benefit. Or, return to: Senior Daybreak of Hilltop 1620 Hermosa Ave., #64, Grand Junction, CO 81506 (970) 241-7798 We appreciate any comments or feedback you have on this manual. Please email or call: Laurie Frasier, Director, Senior Daybreak of Hilltop [email protected] 970-241-7798 Donations to offset the cost of printing are welcome. These manuals cost approximately $10 each to print. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page CHAPTER 1: Overview of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease .......................1 What is common forgetfulness and normal aging ........................................3 What is dementia ..........................................................................................3 What is Alzheimer’s disease ........................................................................4 History of Alzheimer’s ...................................................................................5 Famous people with Alzheimer’s..................................................................5 What causes Alzheimer’s .............................................................................5 What are the risk factors for Alzheimer’s......................................................6 Other risk factors ..........................................................................................7 Different types of Alzheimer’s .......................................................................7 How is Alzheimer’s diagnosed .....................................................................8 How does Alzheimer’s progress ...................................................................9 Mysterious moments of clarity ......................................................................9 Does a person know they have dementia ................................................. 10 Do people die from Alzheimer’s ................................................................ 10 How prevalent is Alzheimer’s .................................................................... 11 Medications used to treat Alzheimer’s ...................................................... 12 Research and Alzheimer’s ........................................................................ 13 Early warning signs and symptoms ........................................................... 15 How does a person with dementia feel ..................................................... 17 HANDOUTS: To My Family and Friends ......................................................................... 18 Stages of Alzheimer’s – Alz Association ................................................... 21 Other Conditions Which Cause Dementia ................................................ 23 CHAPTER 2: Individualized Care, Communication, Environment ............... 25 INDIVIDUALIZED CARE: ............................................................................. 27 Dementia affects each person differently .................................................. 27 Each individual is unique ........................................................................... 28 Emotional needs of a person with dementia ............................................. 28 COMMUNICATION & INTERACTION: ......................................................... 29 Best friend approach ................................................................................. 29 Affectionate care ....................................................................................... 29 Expect changes to occur with communication .......................................... 30 Tips for communicating ............................................................................. 32 2 interaction do nots .................................................................................. 32 Conversation is stimulating to the brain .................................................... 32 Conversation starters ................................................................................ 33 Keep a sense of humor ............................................................................. 34 ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................................. 35 People with dementia and the environment .............................................. 35 Familiar and comfortable environments .................................................... 36 HANDOUTS: 10 Things to Remember ............................................................................ 37 CHAPTER 3: Behaviors and Intervention Strategies .................................... 39 Dementia Behaviors .................................................................................. 41 Possible/probable behaviors to expect in early stages ............................. 41 Responding to difficulties in early stages .................................................. 42 Transitioning and changing roles .............................................................. 42 Challenging behaviors to expect as dementia progresses ........................ 43 Dealing with challenging behaviors ........................................................... 45 First step: decide if intervention necessary ............................................... 45 Second step: analyze the environment for triggers ................................... 46 Third step: try an intervention strategy ..................................................... 46 Distraction ................................................................................................. 47 Gentle guidance ........................................................................................ 47 Therapeutic fibbing .................................................................................... 48 Validation ................................................................................................... 49 Reassurance ............................................................................................. 51 Best friend approach ................................................................................. 51 Prevention ................................................................................................. 52 Simplification ............................................................................................. 52 Walk away and try later ............................................................................. 52 Practice scenarios ..................................................................................... 53 Dealing with extreme anger or violence .................................................... 58 Using medications to help with behaviors ................................................. 58 Antipsychotics ................................................................................. 59 Anti-anxiety medications ................................................................. 60 Antidepressants ............................................................................... 61 Pain management ........................................................................... 61 Sleeping medications ...................................................................... 62 Sexual behaviors and dementia ................................................................ 62 Communicating behavior solutions with others ......................................... 66 HANDOUTS: Sundown Syndrome .................................................................................. 67 An Affair to Remember .............................................................................. 68 CHAPTER 4: Safety Issues .............................................................................. 73 Home alone ..............................................................................................

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