Dementia-Friendly Hospitals™: Preventing Adverse Events

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Course 1: Basics of Dementia-Friendly Care

Module 1 – Introduction to Dementia-Friendly Care (15-20 minutes)

Topics

Dementia in Hospitals
How Can You Recognize Dementia?
Alzheimer’s Affects Each Person Differently
Importance of Dementia-Friendly Care

Learning Objectives

After completing Module 1, you will be able to…

Explain why dementia is increasingly common in hospitals today, particularly in older patients.
Identify three signs or symptoms that could suggest a patient has dementia.
State why each patient with dementia is unique.
List at least three ways to make a positive difference in the care of patients with dementia.

Module 2 – Communication and the CARES® Approach (25-30 minutes)

Topics

A Positive Start
The CARES® Approach
The Family

Learning Objectives

After completing Module 2, you will be able to…

List the basic steps to follow when starting an interaction with a patient who has dementia.
Identify what each letter stands for in the CARES® Approach.
Name three ways that families can help provide better care for patients with dementia.

Module 3 – Behavior as Communication (20-25 minutes)

Topics

How Does Dementia Affect Communication?
Common Communication Problems
Understanding Behavior as Communication

Learning Objectives

After completing Module 3, you will be able to…

State four ways that dementia can affect a person’s ability to communicate.
List three problems that are common when communicating with patients with dementia.
Use the CARES® Approach in responding to dementia-related behavior.

Module 4 – Delirium and Other Adverse Events (25-30 minutes)

Topics

Delirium
Decreasing the Risk of Delirium
Other Adverse Events

Learning Objectives

After completing Module 4, you will be able to…

Describe delirium and its consequences.
State four ways to decrease the risk of delirium.
In addition to delirium, identify at least three adverse events for which the patient with dementia is at risk.

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Course 2: Communication and Behavior

Module 5 – Understanding the Patient With Dementia (25-30 minutes)

Topics

Dementia and the Brain
The Hospital Experience for the Person With Dementia
Adjusting Your Care

Learning Objectives

After completing Module 5, you will be able to…

State at least four types of thinking skills affected by dementia, and describe the types of changes that occur.
List at least four challenges faced by people with dementia when they are in the hospital.
Describe three ways to adjust your care when working with patients with dementia.

Module 6 – Dementia-Related Behavior (25-30 minutes)

Topics

What Is Dementia-Related Behavior?
Triggers of Dementia-Related Behavior
Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior

Learning Objectives

After completing Module 6, you will be able to…

Define dementia-related behavior and give at least four examples.
State three types of triggers and give at least two examples of each.
Explain at least four strategies for responding to dementia-related behavior.

Module 7 – The CARES® Approach Explained (30-35 minutes)

Topics

Overview of the CARES® Approach
The CARES Approach—Step by Step
Applying the CARES Approach

Learning Objectives

After completing Module 7, you will be able to…

State what each letter stands for in the CARES® Approach.
Explain each step of the CARES Approach.
Apply the CARES Approach to patient interactions.

Module 8 – Partnering With Families (20-25 minutes)

Topics

The Family's Perspective
Learning From the Family
Involving the Family in Care

Learning Objectives

After completing Module 8, you will be able to…

State three concerns of families who have a relative with dementia in the hospital.
Utilize knowledge gained from the family to connect with the patient with dementia.
State at least two ways that families of persons with dementia might be involved in patient care.
State at least two ways to maintain open communication with the family of a patient with dementia.

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Course 3: Patient Safety and Comfort

Module 9 – Recognizing and Managing Pain (25-30 minutes)

Topics

Pain in Persons with Dementia
Recognizing Pain
Managing Pain

Learning Objectives

After completing Module 9, you will be able to…

Identify nonverbal signs and behaviors that suggest a person with dementia is in pain.
State three ways to help patients with dementia feel more comfortable.
Use the CARES® Approach to comfort people who are experiencing pain.

Module 10 – Maintaining Patient Safety (20-25 minutes)

Topics

Dementia and Patient Safety
Reducing Risk
Elder Abuse

Learning Objectives

After completing Module 10, you will be able to…

Explain why patients with dementia face greater safety risks.
Identify at least two common safety risks for patients with dementia and explain how they can be prevented.
Recognize signs of elder abuse and respond appropriately.

Module 11 – Wandering and Falls (25-30 minutes)

Topics

Wandering
Falls
Physical Restraints

Learning Objectives

After completing Module 11, you will be able to…

List three reasons why patients with dementia might wander.
Explain at least three ways to respond to wandering.
List three reasons why patients with dementia are at an increased risk for falls.
Describe at least four ways to prevent falls.
State at least three strategies that help reduce the need for physical restraints.

Module 12 – Mobility, Positioning, and Transfer (20-25 minutes)

Topics

Mobility
Positioning
Transfer

Learning Objectives

After completing Module 12, you will be able to…

Explain why mobility and proper positioning are important for the health of people with dementia.
List at least four techniques that can be used while transferring patients with dementia and/or helping them stand.
Explain the importance of connecting with patients with dementia before moving them.
Use the CARES® Approach while assisting a person with transferring and positioning.

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Course 4: Personal Care Practices

Module 13 – Maintaining the Patient's Abilities (20-25 minutes)

Topics

Understanding Functional Decline
Helping the Patient Maintain Abilities
Applying the Cares® Approach

Learning Objectives

After completing Module 13, you will be able to…

List at least two symptoms for each stage of Alzheimer’s disease (early, middle, and late).
Explain why it is important for patients with dementia to maintain their abilities as long as possible.
State at least three strategies for helping patients with dementia maintain their abilities while they are in the hospital.
Use the CARES® Approach to help patients with dementia maintain their abilities.

Module 14 – Eating and Drinking (25-30 minutes)

Topics

How Dementia Affects Eating and Drinking
Helping the Patient Eat and Drink
Mealtime Safety
Applying the Cares® Approach

Learning Objectives

After completing Module 14, you will be able to…

State at least four ways that dementia interferes with the ability to eat and drink.
Explain at least three techniques to help patients get the nutrition they need for healing and enough fluids to prevent dehydration.
Explain at least three techniques to prevent choking and getting food and fluids into the lungs.
Use the CARES® Approach when assisting patients with dementia with eating and drinking.

Module 15 – Maintaining Continence (20-25 minutes)

Topics

How Dementia Affects Continence
Helping the Patient Use the Toilet
Applying the Cares® Approach

Learning Objectives

After completing Module 15, you will be able to…

State at least four ways that dementia can affect a patient’s ability to maintain continence.
Explain at least two ways you can help a person maintain continence.
Use the CARES® Approach to preserve a person's dignity while helping him or her use the toilet.

Module 16 – Bathing and Hygiene (20-25 minutes)

Topics

How Dementia Affects Bathing
Helping With Bathing and Hygiene
Applying the Cares® Approach

Learning Objectives

After completing Module 16, you will be able to…

State at least three ways that dementia can interfere with a patient’s ability to bathe and do other self-cares.
State at least four ways to making bathing and showering a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for people with dementia.
Use the CARES® Approach when assisting a person with bathing and hygiene.

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These modules are only available in the full version of CARES® Dementia-Friendly Hospitals™. Visit www.hcinteractive.com/Hospitals to purchase.