Micheal Shafer – 2-Day Certification Conference: Alzheimer’s, Dementias and Geriatric Mental Health Conditions

Outline

DAY 1
Dementia Differentiation, Diagnosis and Prognosis

• Types of dementia and how to differentiate between them
• Pseudo-dementia explanations
• Mild Neuro-Cognitive Disorder
• Diagnosis, prognosis, and stages
• The latest preventative treatments

Cognitive Assessment Essentials

• Mini-Mental State Examination
• SLUMS
• Administration and scoring
• Objective and subjective interpretation

Challenging Behavior Toolbox:
Trigger Identification, Problem Solving, and Compassionate Intervention Strategies

• Individualizing care – strengths and limitations
• Pain and pain assessment
• Tactics for verbal and physical combativeness
• Agitation – triggers, pain and care planning
• Delusions and hallucinations — potential causes and complications
• Wandering – redirection techniques to reduce risks
• Tips for working with sundowners
• Sexual expressiveness and interventions for dignity
• Activities of Daily Living – structure and engagement strategies

Verbal and Non-Verbal Strategies for Communication:
Reduce Frustration and Increase Understanding with Dementia Patients

• When traditional communication is replaced by behaviors
• Person centered: Gathering beliefs and values
• Effective tips for communicating with dementia patients
  • Find the meaning behind the gesture
  • How to avoid arguments
  • What questions to ask, and how to ask them
• Meaningful activities that connect

Tips and Tactics for Successfully Working with Caregivers

• Family dynamics
• Validation, empathy and active listening
• Caregiver burnout and where to go for help
• End of life issues
• Ethical issues and abuse

DAY 2
How Aging Impacts Mental Health

• The aging brain, body and unique stressors of late life
• Social systems, stigma and life role transitions
• How medical illness impacts mental health

Geriatric Pharmacology:
Essential Considerations for Safety and Effectiveness

• The senior metabolism and unique safety concerns
• Common side effect of drugs on seniors
• Interactive effects to be aware of

Late-Life Depression:
Assessment and Interventions

• Assessment strategies for late-life depression
• The role of social support
• Working with grief and loss
• Cognitive approaches to focus on today’s problems
• Adaptive exercise solutions for the physically challenged

Suicide in Older Adults:
How to Recognize the Warning Signs and Properly Intervene

• The complexity of suicidal behavior in older adults
• Assessment and screening tools
• Treatment approaches and crisis guidance

Alcohol and Drug Use in the Elderly

• Unique vulnerabilities and diagnostic difficulties
• Assessment instruments
• Motivational Interviewing and relapse prevention strategies

Late-Life Anxiety:
Identification and Treatment Strategies Adapted to Older Adults

• Risk factors, stressors and symptoms
• Loss of social support and fear of being alone
• Medical issues and hypochondria
• Evidence-based psychological treatments

Trauma-Informed Treatment of Older Adults

• What the latest research tells us – and what it doesn’t
• Special considerations when assessing seniors for trauma
• Trauma and somatic complaints

The Role of Nutrition in Geriatric Behavioral Problems

• How vitamin and mineral deficiencies impact behavior
• How the volatility of blood sugar can impact behavior
• Strategies for non-compliant eating