The following course is designed to teach healthcare providers the necessary tools in order to show empathy to patients suffering from dementia. Understanding the causes and symptoms of various forms of dementia will be helpful in providing support on an individual basis. There are four types of dementia. These include Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, and vascular dementia. When treating patients with dementia, empathy is one of the most important traits to possess when dealing with tough situations.
What you will learn:
- Tools for identifying signs and symptoms of dementia
- Experiences and challenges faced by individuals with dementia
- Effective communication strategies for interacting with individuals with dementia
- Strategies and techniques for supporting individuals with dementia
Details
Course length: 1 hour and 30 minutes. CME: 1.5
Languages: American English
Key features: Audio narration, learning activity, and post-assessment.
American Medical Compliance is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education to physicians. Our Continuing Medical Education (CME) program is committed to enhancing the knowledge, skills, and professional performance of healthcare providers to improve healthcare outcomes. Through high-quality educational activities, we aim to address the identified educational gaps to support the continuous professional development of our medical community. American Medical Compliance designates this activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should only claim this credit for their complete participation in this activity.
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What is Happening in the Brain for Individuals with Dementia?
Since there are four types of dementia, it is vital to understand what is going on in the brain depending on what type a patient has. Additionally, it’s extremely important to understand brain function in order to assess a patient’s mental capacity and how to best care for them.
Alzheimer’s disease is thought to be mostly caused by abnormal protein accumulation inside and around brain cells. One protein involved is amyloid, which forms plaque-like deposits around brain cells. Tangles in brain tissue are caused by deposits of the other protein, called tau.
Moreover, irregular types or levels of tau and TDP-43 proteins build up inside neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of a person with frontotemporal dementia. Individuals with Lewy body dementia experience abnormal deposits of the alpha-synuclein protein, commonly referred to as “Lewy bodies,” which have an impact on the brain’s chemical messengers. Finally, vascular dementia is more than likely caused when conditions, such as blood clots, disrupt blood flow in the brain.
The underlying causes of this and other types of dementia are being studied by experts. These alterations are a single component of the complicated puzzle. Scientists are conducting in-depth investigations to find out whether there are any more elements that could be influencing the development of dementia. The training course provides further information regarding the signs and symptoms of each type of dementia, the average diagnoses age, and the recommended treatment plans.
Importance of Effective and Empathetic Communication
Effective communication between doctors and patients is a crucial, if occasionally difficult, part of the healthcare process. When trying to find answers to difficult healthcare requirements, it is essential to show empathy for patients and their families.
In addition, building meaningful connections with elderly patients through effective communication can assist in optimizing their care. It can improve health outcomes, fortify the bond between patient and physician, aid in preventing medical errors, and make the most of the little time spent together.
Because of their widespread importance, interpersonal communication skills have been recognized as a core competency by both the American Board of Medical Specialties and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
Click the button below to learn more and implement these practices in your healthcare facility today.
