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Module 4: Cognitive Loss

Module 4 addresses:

1) Stages of dementia;
2) Related disability from specific cognitive impairments;
3) Steps to address acute changes in cognitive status.

When the Mind Falters: Cognitive Losses in Dementia

Written by:

Joel Streim, MD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Director, Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship Program
University of Pennsylvania
VISN 4 Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center
Philadelphia VA Medical Center


Reviewed and updated spring of 2014 by:

Patrick Dostal, MD

Dementia, and the cognitive losses and behavioral changes it causes, presents major challenges to nursing home staff. With an improved understanding of how cognition becomes impaired and the stages of dementia, direct care staff can better assess residents’ abilities and issues, and respond to them appropriately. The loss of mental function and behavioral changes caused by dementia are frequent reasons for nursing home admission. As a result, up to two-thirds of nursing home residents have dementia , most of whom have Alzheimer's disease, the most prevalent type of dementia. An estimated 5.2 million Americans currently have Alzheimer's disease, and, as the number of older Americans grows rapidly, the prevalence Alzheimer's disease is expected to nearly triple by 2050. Understanding how to care for those with dementia can improve their quality of life and prevent unnecessary decline in their functioning.

The teaching materials for this module include a PowerPoint presentation with speaker's notes and a video. Please make sure to download the video as the PowerPoint presentation makes mention of the video.

If you are using Firefox on a PC, right click on the video link and select, "Save link as...." If you are using Internet Explorer you will select, "Save Target As...."

If you are using a Mac, press the Control key and click on the video link and then select "Save link as...".

If you would like to create handouts from the PowerPoint file for your attendees and do not know how, please visit the following link:

How to Create Handouts for Attendees from PowerPoint

If you would like to create a printout of the slides that also contains the notes for the instructor, please visit the following link:

How to Create Notes Pages for Presenters in PowerPoint

Please note that there is a Disqus commenting field at the bottom of this page. The Geriatric Education Center of Greater Philadelphia would greatly appreciate any feedback.

Teaching Materials:


Generic module files:

How to Use This Module

Logistics Checklist

Module-specific files:

Module 4: Cognitive Loss: Introduction

Module 4: Cognitive Loss: Key Concepts

Module 4: Cognitive Loss: Learning Objectives

Module 4: Cognitive Loss : Instructor's PowerPoint Slides with Notes

Module 4: Cognitive Loss: Participant Handout

Module 4: Cognitive Loss: Video

Module 4: Cognitive Loss: Pre-Test and Answer Key

Module 4: Cognitive Loss : Post-Test and Answer Key

Module 4: Cognitive Loss : Participant Evaluation

 

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