Hours: 3 Approvals: RCFE, ARF, APPROVED ALZHEIMER'S DEMENTIA
Alzheimer’s disease is the cause of approximately 60–70 percent of cases of dementia. Life expectancy after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is generally three to nine years. Nutrition, physical activity, cognitive engagement, and social bonding may influence cognitive health, though no interventions have been definitively proven to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Treatments that may improve symptoms are currently under study with varying levels of evidence.
This course reviews current research on Alzheimer’s disease, including prevention efforts, lifestyle factors, medications, and emerging treatments. The course also examines how Alzheimer’s research informs person-centered care practices in Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs), including quality-of-life supports, behavioral expression, least-restrictive care approaches, and the role and limitations of RCFE staff under Title 22 dementia care regulations effective January 1, 2025.
Course Objectives:
Demonstrate familiarity with current Alzheimer’s prevention and research efforts
Understand how diet and nutrition may affect Alzheimer’s disease
Identify the effects of exercise and physical activity on cognitive health
Describe traditional, experimental, and emerging medications and treatments
Recognize research findings related to cannabis and legal limitations to experimentation
Understand the role of social bonding and multimodal interventions
Recognize Alzheimer’s disease as a major neurocognitive disorder within the context of RCFE care
Apply a person-centered framework when interpreting Alzheimer’s research in residential care settings
Identify behavioral expression as communication of unmet needs rather than solely disease symptoms
Distinguish between research findings and the scope of practice for administrators and staff
Integrate research knowledge into quality-of-life supports and planned activities consistent with Title 22 regulations
