Dementia Care Online Webinar Archive

Did you miss a live webinar? No problem! You can view a video recording of most of our previous webinars for free, anytime. To watch any of the webinar recordings, just click on the video below that you would like to view. Please note that you can NOT earn continuing education (CE) credit for viewing a webinar recording. For best viewing results, use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browsers.

Sexual Expression in Dementia

Sexuality and dementia are often a difficult topic for professionals, caregivers, and family to approach. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the impact of dementia on intimate relationships and explore ways to approach this topic with empathy and open communication. This course aims to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate issues related to sexual expression, promote a more inclusive and supportive environment, and foster a compassionate and dignified approach to this often-overlooked aspect of well-being.

Guiding the Way: Navigating Assisted Living and Dementia Care for Your Loved Ones

After receiving a diagnosis of dementia, it can seem overwhelming for families to navigate care options. This presentation will discuss many of the common questions and concerns that families have such as:

Can the person remain at home?
When is 24-hour care needed?
What are the differences between a nursing home and assisted living?
How can I tell if a residential care facility offers good care?
What questions should I ask before I decide to move in?

Activities that Enhance Engagement in Dementia Care

Persons with dementia often experience difficulties engaging and connecting with others. We discuss the reasons for these dementia-related changes and identify various approaches and activities that enhance engagement and connection through techniques that maximize participation and contentment for persons with dementia. Examples are provided for activities that are appropriate for individuals at various stages of memory loss.

Person Centered Care at End of Life

Learn how a holistic, person-centered approach to care, delivered with dignity and respect, can maximize a person’s comfort and quality of life in their final days and hours. We address common issues, including physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual concerns at the end of life.

Understanding Hospice and Palliative Care

Palliative and Hospice Care provide specialized end-of-life care focusing on enhancing the quality of remaining life for patients and family. We learn about the differences between Palliative and Hospice Care, the various levels of Hospice Care, and who is eligible for Palliative and Hospice Care. Advanced Healthcare Planning, including POLST and Health Care Directives is reviewed. Resources are provided for overcoming barriers related to providing care consistent to individuals’ wishes and values.

The Impact of Brain Injury

In the U.S. there are over 2.8 million Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) each year, and it’s a factor in one third of all injury-related deaths. We will learn about the various causes of both traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury, the impact of brain injury based on the severity, and how it affects a person’s functioning. Although brain injury is invisible, there are physical signs and symptoms to recognize and strategies for how to manage communication challenges resulting from brain injury. Resources will be provided for more information and assistance for those affected by brain injury.

Pain Management in Dementia Care

With increased age comes an increase in various forms of pain and discomfort among older adults. For persons with dementia, expressing pain and identifying the cause of pain can be challenging. We will learn about physical and psychological sources of pain, how to recognize and assess pain, and ways to reduce discomfort and provide support, including non-drug approaches.

The Other Dementias A Look Under the Dementia Umbrella

Under the umbrella term of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is only one of the many types that exist. We take a closer look at many of the non-Alzheimer’s forms of dementia, including Vascular, Lewy Body, Parkinson’s, Frontotemporal, Primary Progressive Aphasia, and other sleep, mood and anxiety disorders. Presented by UCI Health Behavioral Neurologist, Dr. Brian Hitt, we learn about the causes, symptoms, treatments and how these forms of dementia are diagnosed.

Chronic Mental Illness and the Risk for Dementia

People with chronic mental illness who develop dementia need comprehensive, culturally-sensitive and trauma-informed management of both conditions. We will review schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder in older adults and how these chronic illnesses increase the risk of developing dementia. An overview will be provided on evaluations, treatments & medications, and important considerations, which enhance the lives of people affected by chronic mental illness and dementia.

Understanding and Caring for Individuals with Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease

As individuals with Down syndrome are experiencing longer lifespans, their risk for Alzheimer’s disease dramatically increases with age. We look at the unique symptoms of dementia in individuals with Down syndrome and the associated behaviors that can be considered challenging. Key concepts in dementia care are reviewed, including strategies for understanding and responding to dementia-related behaviors, successful communication strategies and best practices in dementia care for individuals with Down syndrome.

Sundowning Syndrome in Persons with Dementia

Sundowning syndrome refers to a set of behaviors seen in some individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia when they become confused, agitated or nervous later in the afternoon and into the night. Learn about the behaviors associated with this syndrome, along with the risk factors, triggers and treatment options. Strategies for minimizing and preventing behaviors associated with this syndrome are presented.

Becoming a Resilient Care Provider

Chronic caregiver stress is known to negatively impact a person’s physical and mental health. Learn how to become a resilient care provider, which can preserve and restore your emotional and physical health while navigating the uncertainty of dementia caregiving. This course provides six key strategies that reduce stress, enhance good health and build strength through a sense of purpose and connection with others.

Dementia Friendly Holidays

For persons with dementia, the sights, sounds and activities of the holidays can be overstimulating and overwhelming, which can result in their discomfort and difficult situations. Learn how to make the holidays simple, yet special and appropriate for individuals with dementia. Modifying holiday traditions and managing unrealistic expectations also reduces stress for dementia caregivers as well.

Music Therapy and Its Impact on Dementia

Studies show that music significantly improves the quality of life for individuals with dementia. Learn what music therapy is, how it works, and why it benefits the brain so profoundly. We discuss the impact of music on individuals with memory loss, and how music can be used to enhance the care provided to individuals with dementia.

A Fresh Approach to Resistance to Care

Why would a person with dementia resist assistance from a care partner, and become agitated when we are there to help? We will explore this topic from the perspective of the person with dementia by looking at how dementia-related changes impact a person’s ability to express unmet needs, and how a caregiver’s response and approach can make a significant difference. Techniques will be provided for how caregivers can prevent escalating distress and how a proactive approach with dignity and patience results in positive outcomes.

Assisting with Activities of Daily Living in Dementia Care

Learn about six activities of daily living (ADLs) which become challenging as individuals with dementia progressively lose function and ability to carry out these tasks. Participants will learn how dementia impacts ability to complete ADLs and how to best assist with these tasks while maximizing the person’s autonomy wherever possible.

Behavior Expressions in Persons with Dementia

What are considered “challenging behaviors” in persons with dementia, may actually be their best effort to communicate an unmet need. Dementia can alter a person’s perceptions and their ability to communicate. Learn effective strategies for responding that reduce confusion and frustration and enhance compassionate and caring communication.

Caring Communication Strategies in Dementia Care

Learn how dementia challenges a person’s ability to communicate and why a caregiver’s approach to interacting will make a difference. We will look at the various elements that can enhance or break down communication in dementia care, and examine effective strategies and techniques that reduce confusion and frustration and enhance more compassionate and caring communication and connection.

Communicating and Connecting with Persons with Dementia

This course teaches practical skills for communicating and connecting with individuals who have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. These diseases cause changes in the brain that impair verbal communication skills, and practical techniques are provided that can enhance communication. Learn why social connections are beneficial for individuals with memory loss and how to effectively facilitate social engagement and personal connections.

Dementia Friendly Holidays

Depression and Dementia in Older Adults

Depression and dementia are commonly seen in older adults, and these conditions can occur separately or together. Although diagnosing can be difficult due to their similarities, it is important to obtain an accurate diagnosis to ensure that the treatment plan is appropriate and yields optimal outcomes. Learn about the similarities and differences between these two conditions, and the different approaches for treatment.

Enhancing Everyday Activites in Dementia Care

Learn about dementia-related changes that can result in difficulties in behaviors and connecting with others. Strategies on how to successfully engage persons with dementia will be introduced, including the ‘person-centered’ approach, ‘contented involvement’, the ‘best friends approach’ and the ‘Montessori Method for Adults’ to connect with individuals with dementia at various stages of memory loss.

Grief through the stages of dementia

Grief is a normal reaction to loss and a natural part of life, yet individuals with dementia and those who care for them often experience unique forms of grief throughout the stages of dementia. We discuss these forms of grief, how to support caregivers and persons with dementia who are grieving, and provide practical strategies for how to cope with these forms of loss.

Managing Dementia Related Changes in Behavior

Learn how to identify personality and behavior changes among individuals with dementia, especially those which may be particularly stressful or challenging for both the person with dementia and their caregiver. Discover how to manage these behavior changes and how the clinically-informed, three-step approach called the ‘IDEA!’ model will help caregivers adapt circumstances to reduce or prevent behavior changes before they occur.

Person-Centered Care at End of Life

Although death is a natural and inevitable part of life, many are not prepared for the dying process and how to best meet an individual’s needs at the end of their life. Learn how a holistic, person-centered approach to care, delivered with dignity and respect, can maximize a person’s comfort and quality of life in their finals days and hours. We address common issues, including physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual concerns at the end of life.

Personal Care with Positivity: Assisting Persons with Dementia in Activities of Daily Living

Dementia can impact a person’s ability to complete both instrumental and basic activities of daily living (ADLs). We identify strategies and techniques for assisting individuals who have moderate and late-stage dementia with their ADLs using a positive approach which focuses on maximizing the person’s autonomy, dignity and engagement.

Preparing for the Holidays

Make this holiday season a peaceful affair. The holidays can be difficult for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Join us from the comfort of your own home for a special Family Webinar “Preparing for the Holidays” and learn how to keep things smooth during what can be a very hectic time of year.

Successful Mealtimes for People with Dementia

Learn how the symptoms of dementia can impact the ability to eat, drink and maintain previous mealtime habits. The consequences of inadequate intake of nutrition and hydration for people with dementia will be addressed. Techniques will be provided for how caregivers can help improve mealtimes, overcome eating difficulties, and promote independence and dignity for individuals with dementia.

Sundowning Syndrome in Dementia

The term ‘sundowning’ refers to a set of behaviors seen in some individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia when they become confused, agitated or nervous later in the afternoon and into the night. Learn about the behaviors associated with this syndrome, along with the risk factors and triggers. Treatment options and suggestions for preventing behaviors associated with this syndrome will also be provided.

The Impact of Alzheimer’s Disease on Swallowing

Learn about the process of swallowing and health conditions that cause difficulties in swallowing (dysphagia), especially for persons with Alzheimer’s disease. Treatments, strategies, and intervention techniques for dysphagia are presented, along with recommended oral care and an overview of tube feeding, comfort feeding and recognizing the decline in swallowing that occurs at end of life.

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease in Persons with Down Syndrome

The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease among people with Down syndrome is much higher than it is for the general population and for those with developmental and other intellectual disabilities. Learn about the unique warning signs for Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome, how this disease can impact the role of both facility staff and caregivers, and when families might consider placement outside of the home.

Understanding Wandering in Dementia Care

Learn about the reasons for wandering behaviors among people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Topics include techniques for preventing wandering, how to take precautions and plan ahead for wandering behaviors, and what to do if a person with dementia is missing. Recommendations are provided for preventing wandering behaviors, and various devices that prevent wandering are reviewed.

Wandering in Persons with Dementia

Learn why some individuals with dementia wander. We discuss techniques for preventing wandering, how to plan ahead for wandering, and how to safely respond to a person who wanders. Recommendations are offered for what to do when a person with dementia is missing, and various safety devices that prevent wandering are reviewed.