Alzheimer’s Association Foundations of Dementia Care Training Programs

1. Alzheimer’s Association Foundations of Dementia Care Training Programs Presented by: Kim Walsh, M.S. Alzheimer’s Association, Michigan Great Lakes Chapter

2. Campaign for Quality Residential Care • Launched in Spring / Summer 2005 • Nationwide initiative • Multi-level, evidence-based collaboration • Supported by 24 leading health and senior care organizations

3. Organizations Supporting the Dementia Care Practice Recommendations • AARP • American Association of Assisted Living Nurses • American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging • American College of Health Care Administrators • American Dietetic Association • American Health Care Association • American Medical Directors Association • American Occupational Therapy Association • American Physical Therapy Association • American Seniors Housing Association • American Society of Consultant Pharmacists • American Therapeutic Recreation Association • Assisted Living Federation of America • Catholic Health Association • Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living National Association of Activity Professionals • National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care • National Association of Social Workers • National Center for Assisted Living • National Citizens’ Coalition for Nursing • Home Reform • National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization • Paralyzed Veterans of America • Service Employees International Union • The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association accepts the recommendations.

4. Dementia Care Practice Recommendations www.alz.org/health/care/dcpr.asp

5. Foundations of Dementia Care Putting Principles into Practice

6. Dementia care is challenging, and changing • More than 50 percent of long-term care residents have some form of dementia. • Increased knowledge of Alzheimer’s symptoms and individual residents allow direct care workers to make better care decisions. • The quality of life for these residents is directly related to the relationship they have with their direct care workers. The better the relationship, the better a resident’s quality of life.

7. Hands-on and interactive training for supervisors and direct care workers • Hands-on classroom training allows staff to practice new approaches to dementia care through discussions, role-playing exercises and sharing of expertise. • Plus, we emphasize practical, problem-solving approaches that staff can immediately put to use on the floor to prevent problems before they occur.

8. Education Modules 5 modules, 12 sessions • Learning to Lead (3 hours) • About Dementia (3 hours) • Enhancing Mealtime (2 hours) • Reducing Pain (2 hours) • Making Connections (2 hours)

9. Module 1: Learning to Lead This module teaches supervisors how to act as team leaders to effectively coach and mentor direct care staff in providing the high quality dementia care outlined in the subsequent modules. Part 1: Leading the Team Part 2: From Classroom to Practice Part 3: Building a Vision

10. Module 2: About Dementia This module teaches residential care staff to understand Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, and how changes in the brain contribute to different behaviors and communication limitations. Part 1: Dementia Basics Part 2: Improving Communication Part 3: Understanding Behavior

11. Priority Care Areas Module 3: Enhancing Mealtime This module teaches residential care staff to identify resident difficulties during mealtime and to use effective person-centered approaches to enhance the mealtime experience. Module 4: Reducing Pain This module teaches residential care staff to identify when and why residents are experiencing pain and to use effective person-centered approaches to reduce pain. Module 5: Making Connections This module teaches residential care staff to identify resident abilities and preferences for engaging socially and outlines effective person-centered approaches to making meaningful connections with residents.

12. Flexible Options • On-site training • Off-site training • Web-based training

13. Web-based Training Programs • The “CARES Program” • Training for Team Leaders: Successful Supervision”

14. Consumer Module • Fact sheets on various issues related to dementia and long term care • Educational module that empowers users to understand and advocate for quality dementia care in their community • Interactive question and answer module • Include person’s preferences and personal background information

15. Advocacy Efforts • Integration of practice recommendations into quality assurance systems • Development of state-specific policy agendas

16. Contact Information www/alz.org 800.272.3900