Communicating About What to Expect as Dementia Progresses
What You’ll Learn
- Describe the importance of communicating with patients and families as early as possible about what to expect as their illness progresses, and describe a framework for starting these conversations
- Understand how to talk to patients and families about the physiological changes to the brain that cause various symptoms of dementia, and discuss expected changes in early-, middle-, and late-stage disease
- Describe non-pharmacological interventions that can support the patient and caregiver, and set the stage for financial, legal, safety, and advance care planning in regular follow-up visits
This course was created with generous support from the nonprofit Gary and Mary West Health Institute.
What You’ll Earn
Only CAPC members who are logged in can earn the following free Continuing Education Credits:
- 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™
- Case Management: 1.00 CE
- Nursing: 1.00 CNE
- Social Work: 1.00 CE (NYSED)
- Social Work: 1.00 CE (NASW)
To take this course, log in. Or, check here to see if your organization is a member.
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Tools & Resources
Key takeaways and list of available community resources for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
A framework for helping patients and caregivers understand the stages of dementia based on symptoms and behaviors. Center to Advance Palliative Care, 2018.
Print or email this handout of caregiver resources for education and support.
Course citations. Center to Advance Palliative Care, 2018.
A journal article about a study of the effects of a nonpharmacologic intervention, Music and Memory (M&M), on residents with dementia and/or behavioral problems living in nursing homes.
Key points to consider for care managers as they communicate what to expect as dementia progresses.
Course Faculty
Cindy Barton, MSN, GNP, BC. Nurse Practitioner, UCSF Memory and Aging Center.
Andrew E. Esch, MD, MBA. Consultant Center to Advance Palliative Care.
Stefanie Bonigut, LCSW. Family Services Manager. Alzheimer's Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada.
Jim Palmer, MSW, LCSW. Palliative Care Social Worker. Mount Sinai Hospital.
Marta Kazandijan, MA, CCC-SLP, BSC-S. Director, Division Speech Pathology and Swallowing. New York Presbyterian Queens and Silvercrest Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation.
Gina Decker. Caregiver.
Constance Dahlin, MSN, ANP-BC, ACHPN, FPCN, FAAN. Consultant, Center to Advance Palliative Care.
Peer Reviewers
Melissa Bakar, MD. Assistant Professor, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.*
Komal D’Souza, MD. Palliative Medicine, Northwestern Medicine.*
Karl B. Bezak, MD. Board Certified Internal Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellow.
Nora Brennan, RN. Cardiology. University of Pennsylvania Hospital System.
Gail Gongaware, RN, BSN, CCM, MS. Education manager, Education and Training, VNSNY.
Kristin Chouinard, RN, CHPN. Gerontology. North Shore Elder Services, Partners Healthcare.
Philip Higgins, PhD, LICSW. President, Lighthouse Counseling of Salem, Inc.
*indicates ABIM Peer Reviewer
Contact information: For answers to frequently asked questions about CAPC courses, read the Online Course FAQ. For technical questions about course activity, email [email protected]. For questions about continuing education credits, contact 201-957-0077.
Provided by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Disclosing a dementia diagnosis to patients and caregivers in a way that is sensitive, clear, and supportive.
Enabling patients and caregivers to plan ahead for the financial, legal, and other impacts of dementia.
Assessing for caregiver burden and connecting caregivers to needed support systems.