Alzheimer's & Dementia Online Academy Course
Understanding Behaviors as Forms of Communication
Through this virtual training, you will learn how dementia impacts someone's ability to communicate, and how to better understand their needs. 1.75 continuing education credits (general course) available.
About this Course
1.75 continuing education credits (general course) available This general course highlights the importance of understanding the impact dementia and related illness has on a person’s ability to communicate. As a result, care partners and care professionals may need to shift their communication strategies and gain insight into the variety of ways individuals living with dementia may communicate, especially through responsive behaviors. Through this course, we will look to reframe what one may define as “problem behaviors”. These behaviors are sometimes exhibited by individuals living with dementia as actual expressions of need. We explore the myriad of ways individuals with dementia commonly communicate their needs through the stages of the disease, as well as ways we can support and simplify communication and decision-making to maintain independence for as long as possible. Participants will also explore strategies to proactively meet needs of those with dementia, as well as develop tools to de-escalate and diffuse situations if they arise. From this course you will learn to:
- Define the stages and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
- Recognize distressing behaviors as expressions of an unmet need.
- Identify effective communication strategies.
- Apply appropriate strategies for responding to distressing behaviors.