The following course is designed to educate healthcare providers (HCP) on how to develop a primary care plan to evaluate persons in the middle and late stages of dementia. There are several similarities and differences between the middle and late stages of the disease, which are reviewed in this course. Additionally, this course focuses on providing management solutions for medical issues that occur.
What You Will Learn:
- Common components of an individualized primary care plan for persons living with either middle or late stage dementia
- Common medical issues related to middle and late stage dementia
- Strategies for evaluating incontinence in persons with middle and late stage dementia
- Manifestations of pain in persons living with middle and late stage dementia
Details
Course length: 1 hour and 30 minutes; CEU: 1.5
Languages: American English
Key features: Audio narration, learning activity, and post-assessment.
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Middle and Late Stage Dementia
There is no designated time period for how long the middle or late stages of dementia last. Oftentimes, the disease progression is gradual, and is influenced by factors that are individual to the patient. Symptoms depend on the underlying cause. Currently, there are no diagnostic tests that indicate which stage a patient is in. In the middle stage, patients experience deteriorating cognitive function and memory.
There are also several behavioral and psychological symptoms that emerge in dementia patients. If these symptoms become too much for the care partner, providers can refer patients to a neurologist or neuropsychologist. However, this should only be done if the symptoms presented are unusual or atypical.
Individualized Dementia Care Plans
Providers should approach dementia care from an individualized perspective. Additionally, comorbid conditions often co-occur, such as pain and infections. Therefore, providers must develop individualized care plans for their patients.
This plan should be reevaluated regularly. Patients may have medical complications or other manifestations that must be taken note of. Providers may also need to adjust medication prescriptions.
Care partners and health care providers should establish an open line of communication to remain continuously involved in the care process.
Medication Management
Patients may be taking medications for dementia as well as for other comorbid conditions. Therefore, there are several medication management considerations. The types of medications commonly prescribed to patients include antidepressants and antipsychotics. However, as the disease progresses, medications may need to be changed due to the increase in comorbidity.
Primary care providers must be aware of all the medications that their patients are taking. They also should consider whether the patient is physically able to take the medication themselves. As the dementia progresses, medications that do not offer any value can be eliminated. Beer’s Updated Criteria (2015) includes a list of potentially inappropriate medications for elderly patients.
