We designed the sessions to advance the practice of registered and enrolled nurses by providing them with the latest information across the many and complex care domains of neurocognitive disorders. We offer only evidence based care strategies for symptoms and behaviour management.There is a question and answer opportunity with all facilitators via email. There is a question and answer opportunity with all facilitators via email.
Dementia Programs
- Non Alzheimer's Dementia
- Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold Behaviours
- Cognitive Losses in Alzheimer's & Related Dementia
- Dementia Care & Behaviours Across the Stages
- Affective Losses in Alzheimer's & Related Dementia
- Effective Care Planning from Cognitive Assessment
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Pain Assessment & Management in Dementia
- Sexual Disinhibition in Alzheimer's & non-Alzheimer's Dementia
- Anti-psychotics, Dementia & the Risk for Nurses
- Conative (planning) losses in Alzheimer's & Related Dementia
- Dementia Program for Enrolled Nurses
- Dementia Program for Registered Nurses
- Dementia Program for Carers
Non Alzheimer’s Dementia
Includes Lewy body dementia, vascular and frontal lobe dementia.
Overall Objective:
At the completion of this program the participant will have an understanding of the symptom presentation, discuss diagnostic assessment tools and activities, for Non-Alzheimer’s dementias, including vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia and frontal lobe dementia.
This Non Alzheimer’s Dementia program has been endorsed by APEC number 05021185 on behalf of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia according to approved criteria.
Course Details:
1.5 CPD HOURS
Facilitator: Dr Ian Presnell MBBS MPM GCHPE FRANZCP, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, VIC.
Course Fees:
Individual:
$55 per person (Includes GST)
Facilities (or group of nurses working at same site):
25% discount on group bookings of 5 or more
40% discount on group bookings of 10 or more.
50% discount on group bookings of 15 or more.
60% discount on group bookings of 20 or more.
Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold Behaviours
Identifies the causes of catastrophic responses, hitting out, symptoms of anxiety and or agitation, and being socially and intellectually inaccessible.
Overall Objective:
The participant will be able to identify disturbed and dysfunctional behaviours; use person centred care strategies to effectively reduce such behaviours and professionally account for their care.
This Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold Behaviours program has been endorsed by APEC number 05021185 on behalf of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia according to approved criteria.
Course Details:
1.5 CPD HOURS
Facilitator: Prue Mellor RN, M(Geront), MNg(NPrac), MACN
Course Fees:
Individual:
$55 per person (includes GST)
Facilities (or group of nurses working at same site):
25% discount on group bookings of 5 or more
40% discount on group bookings of 10 or more.
50% discount on group bookings of 15 or more.
60% discount on group bookings of 20 or more.
Cognitive Losses in Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia
Can you recognise the symptoms? Do you know how to identify the supportive interventions for repetition, memory loss, aphasia, ‘invasive’ behaviour etc, for each client with dementia?
Overall Objective:
The participant will be able to identify cognitive losses, develop, introduce and evaluate care interventions that support the client with cognitive losses due to Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.
This Cognitive Losses in Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia program has been endorsed by APEC number 05021185 on behalf of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia according to approved criteria.
Course Details:
1.5 CPD HOURS
Facilitator: Prue Mellor RN, M(Geront), MNg(NPrac), MACN
Course Fees:
Individual:
$55 per person (Includes GST)
Facilities (or group of nurses working at same site):
25% discount on group bookings of 5 or more
40% discount on group bookings of 10 or more.
50% discount on group bookings of 15 or more.
60% discount on group bookings of 20 or more.
Dementia Care & Behaviours Across the Stages
Recognising and changing your care for each of the stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Overall Objective:
At the completion of this session the participant should be able to:
- Map the stages of dementia
- Identify the symptoms & client tasks for each stage of Alzheimer’s disease
- Identify caregiver tasks & the role of health professionals for each stage
- Successfully plan care to minimise behaviours at all stages
This Dementia Care & Behaviours Across the Stages program has been endorsed by APEC number 05021185 on behalf of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia according to approved criteria.
Course Details:
1.5 CPD HOURS
Facilitator: Geri Hall PhD, ARNP, GCNS-BC, FAAN, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Banner Alzheimer’s Institute (USA)
Course Fees:
Individual:
$55 per person (Includes GST)
Facilities (or group of nurses working at same site):
25% discount on group bookings of 5 or more
40% discount on group bookings of 10 or more.
50% discount on group bookings of 15 or more.
60% discount on group bookings of 20 or more.
Affective Losses in Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia
Includes the symptoms relating to disinhibition, paranoia, illusions, decreased attention span, loss of affect; why they occur and when you may predict them.
Overall Objective:
The participant will be able to identify affective losses and will be able to develop, introduce and evaluate care interventions that support the client with affective losses due to Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders
This Affective Losses in Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia program has been endorsed by APEC number 05021185 on behalf of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia according to approved criteria.
Course Details:
1.5 CPD HOURS
Facilitator: Prue Mellor RN, M(Geront), MNg(NPrac), MACN
Course Fees:
Individual:
$55 per person (Includes GST)
Facilities (or group of nurses working at same site):
25% discount on group bookings of 5 or more
40% discount on group bookings of 10 or more.
50% discount on group bookings of 15 or more.
60% discount on group bookings of 20 or more.
Effective Care Planning from Cognitive Assessment
Can you recognise the symptoms? Do you know how to identify the supportive interventions for repetition, memory loss, aphasia, ‘invasive’ behaviour etc, for each client with dementia?
Overall Objective:
At the completion of the program the registered nurse will be able to analyse cognitive assessment data to effectively develop care strategies to support individuals with dementia or cognitive impairment, and perhaps support their funding claims
This Effective Care Planning from Cognitive Assessment program has been endorsed by APEC number 05021185 on behalf of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia according to approved criteria.
Course Details:
1.5 CPD HOURS
Facilitator: Prue Mellor RN, M(Geront), MNg(NPrac), MACN
Course Fees:
Individual:
$55 per person (Includes GST)
Facilities (or group of nurses working at same site):
25% discount on group bookings of 5 or more
40% discount on group bookings of 10 or more.
50% discount on group bookings of 15 or more.
60% discount on group bookings of 20 or more.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Understanding the disease process, the symptoms, latest research in to cause and cure, assessment.
Overall Objective:
At the completion of the session the participant will have an understanding of:
- Patho-physiology relating to Alzheimer’s disease
- Latest research in to the cause and possible treatments
- Risk factor for and symptom presentation of Alzheimer’s disease
- Assessment tools and processes associated with Alzheimer’s disease
This Alzheimer’s Disease program has been endorsed by APEC number 05021185 on behalf of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia according to approved criteria.
Course Details:
1.5 CPD HOURS
Facilitator: Professor David Ames BA, MD, FRCPsych, FRANZCP, University of Melbourne Professor of Ageing and Health, Director National Ageing Research Institute, Editor International Psychogeriatrics
Course Fees:
Individual:
$55 per person (includes GST)
Facilities (or group of nurses working at same site):
25% discount on group bookings of 5 or more
40% discount on group bookings of 10 or more.
50% discount on group bookings of 15 or more.
60% discount on group bookings of 20 or more.
Pain Assessment & Management in Dementia
Looking what the research is saying in relation to non-verbal assessment tools and management
Overall Objective:
At the completion of this session the participant will be able to discuss the Gold Standard for pain assessment and the qualities of pain assessment tools and pain management options for residents with a dementia.
This Pain Assessment & Management in Dementia program has been endorsed by APEC number 05021185 on behalf of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia according to approved criteria.
Course Details:
2 CPD HOURS
Facilitator: Marti Buffum DNSc, APRN, BC, CS Associate Chief Nurse for Research, VA Medical Center, San Francisco, USA
Course Fees:
Individual:
$77 per person (includes GST)
Facilities (or group of nurses working at same site):
25% discount on group bookings of 5 or more
40% discount on group bookings of 10 or more.
50% discount on group bookings of 15 or more.
60% discount on group bookings of 20 or more.
Sexual Disinhibition in Alzheimer’s & Non-Alzheimer’s Dementia
Discusses the reasons for sexual disinhibiton in clients or residents with dementia and when you may expect this to occur. It explains why the practice of ‘de-sexing’ the individual is not only ineffective, but is a breach of the standards.
Overall Objective:
The participant will be able to discuss sexuality as it relates to older adults and to clients or residents with Alzheimer’s disease and why some people display sexual needs in a manner that is public; to other residents; to staff and that is labelled as ‘inappropriate’; develop person centred care strategies that can be used by all staff
This Sexual Disinhibition in Alzheimer’s & Non-Alzheimer’s Dementia program has been endorsed by APEC number 05021185 on behalf of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia according to approved criteria.
Course Details:
1.5 CPD HOURS
Facilitator: Prue Mellor RN, M(Geront), MNg(NPrac), MACN
Course Fees:
Individual:
$55 per person (includes GST)
Facilities (or group of nurses working at same site):
25% discount on group bookings of 5 or more
40% discount on group bookings of 10 or more.
50% discount on group bookings of 15 or more.
60% discount on group bookings of 20 or more.
Anti-psychotics, Dementia & the Risk for Nurses
A series of 4 sessions discussing the dangers of administering or managing the administration, of drugs such as risperidone, to patients or residents with a dementia syndrome.
Overall Objective:
There is an objective for each session, but the participant should be able to discuss the issue of using antipsychotic drugs in clients with a dementia syndrome vs person centred non-pharmacological interventions for behaviours.
This Anti-psychotics, Dementia & the Risk for Nurses program has been endorsed by APEC number 05021185 on behalf of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia according to approved criteria.
Course Details:
4 CPD HOURS
Panel of Facilitators:
- Dr Clare Harvey, RN, BA (Cur), MA, PhD
- Assoc. Prof. Linda Starr, RN, RPN, BNg SACAE, GradDipDistEd SACAE, LLB Adel, GCLP SAust, LLM Adel, FRCNA
- Dr Ian Presnell, MBBS MPM GCHPE FRANZCP
- Joyce McSwan, BPharm.MAACPA, Accredited Consultant Pharmacist
- Prue Mellor, RN, PGradDipAppSci (Geront), MNg(Geront), MNg(NPrac)
- Mary Anne Edwards, RN, Owner/Manager ACF, ACFI
Course Fees:
Individual:
$88 per person for entire (4 session) program (Includes GST).
25% discount on group bookings of 5 or more
40% discount on group bookings of 10 or more.
50% discount on group bookings of 15 or more.
60% discount on group bookings of 20 or more.
Facilities (or group of nurses working at same site):
Session 1
Legal, professional and documentation errors often made by nurses in relation to clients with dementia syndromes and so called behaviours.
Objective:
The participant should be able to detail how the competency standards guide nurses in relation to the administration of therapeutic substances; detail the psychotic symptoms that do respond to antipsychotic drugs; discuss the meaning of duty of care and detail the recommend principles of nursing documentation.
Facilitators:
- Assoc. Dr Clare Harvey
- Assoc. Prof. Linda Starr
- Dr Ian Presnell
Session 2
The old and the new antipsychotics, which are safest; what they all do; required nursing actions when administering antipsychotics and .not enough time’ is not an option!
Objective:
The participant should be to discuss why antipsychotics are an issue in clients with dementia; detail recommended nursing assessments that should be recorded when administering antipsychotics; why the symptoms for funding do not respond to antipsychotics.
Facilitators:
- Joyce McSwan
- Prue Mellor
Session 3
Nursing requirements and funding issues; person centred care and non-pharmacological interventions can work for residents.
Objective:
The participant should be able to discuss a range of non pharmacological interventions for the non cognitive symptoms (behaviours), of dementia, as based on the person centred care model, Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold model of care. Understand how ACFI claims are not compromised by excellent care.
Facilitators:
- Mary Anne Edwards
- Prue Mellor
[
Session 4
(continued from Session3)
Knowing which interventions will not work and why; knowing which interventions work for what behaviours; measuring the results of effective, behaviour management
Objective:
The participant should be able to discuss a range of non pharmacological interventions for the non cognitive symptoms (behaviours), of dementia, as based on the person centred care model, Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold model of care.
Conative (planning) losses in Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia
This is the area of loss that causes wandering, reduced function and apraxia; how to use implicit memory in care planning.
Overall Objective:
The participant will be able to identify conative losses; develop, introduce and evaluate care interventions that support the client with conative losses due to Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders
This Conative (planning) losses in Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia program has been endorsed by APEC number 05021185 on behalf of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia according to approved criteria.
Course Details:
1.5 CPD HOURS
Facilitator: Prue Mellor RN, M(Geront), MNg(NPrac), MACN
Course Fees:
Individual:
$55 per person (includes GST)
Facilities (or group of nurses working at same site):
25% discount on group bookings of 5 or more
40% discount on group bookings of 10 or more.
50% discount on group bookings of 15 or more.
60% discount on group bookings of 20 or more.
Please note our new 2015 Update Dementia Program for Enrolled Nurses commences soon.
Please go here for updated course details and a 20% DISCOUNT offer!
The course below is our previous version and still currently available
Dementia Program for Enrolled Nurses
Age Concern Pty Ltd has modified the university recognised program to better support enrolled nursing practice in the care of residents/patients with a dementia.
The program:
- includes 9 individual topics relating to the dementia, delirium and depression
- offers practical strategies that can immediately be considered
- is suitable for ENs in the community, hospitals, residential and respite services
Overall Objective:
At the completion of this session the enrolled nurse should be able to list the symptoms associated with neurocognitive disorders (dementia) ; participate in relevant data collection and contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of person centred care planned nursing interventions for clients with a dementia.
There are individual objectives for each session.
Entry Requirements:
Participants do not need to be medication endorsed for this program.
To complete the program, each applicant must be licensed to practice through the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia as an enrolled nurse and hold a current practicing certificate.
To complete the case study (5 CPD hours), the applicant will require rightful access to nursing and records of clients.
Assessment for Extra CPD hours:
A case study makes up the assessment module of the program, and is to be completed within four (4) weeks of the final session.
Participants will be provided with all necessary resources for this program, that is, hard copy of slides and access to readings to assist with the completion of the case study.
This Dementia Program for Enrolled Nurses program has been endorsed by APEC number 05021185 on behalf of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia according to approved criteria.
Course Details:
15 – 20 CPD HOURS
Facilitator: Facilitator: Prue Mellor RN, M(Geront), MNg(NPrac), MACN
Course Fees:
Individual:
$55 per person per session (includes GST),
or $440 all sessions (includes GST). (Payment Plan available)
Facilities (or group of nurses working at same site):
25% discount on group bookings of 5 or more
40% discount on group bookings of 10 or more.
50% discount on group bookings of 15 or more.
60% discount on group bookings of 20 or more.
Session 1 – Nursing practice and responsibility
Knowing which and how the documents will support your nursing practice
1.5 CPD HOURS
$55 (incl. GST)
Objective:
At the completion of the session the enrolled nurse should be able to identify the leading documents that inform the practice of nursing in Australia; define evidence based practice and list the principles of ethical care.
Content includes:
- documents that inform nursing including National Competency Standards for the Enrolled Nurse
- introduction to evidence based nursing and ethics;
- legal and professional documentation
- duty of care, the facts
Session 2 – Delirium – a geriatric emergency
Often and incorrectly called ‘more confused’
1.5 CPD HOURS
$55 (incl. GST)
Objective:
At the completion of this session the enrolled nurse should be able to list the risk factors of delirium; assist with data collection and contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of planned nursing interventions.
Content includes:
- defining delirium; risk factors; mortality & morbidity
- valid data collection tools and activities
- the role of documentation for improved client outcomes
- interventions to minimise risk and or duration of delirium
Session 3 – Depression in Older Adults
Depression, grief or bereavement?
1.5 CPD HOURS
$55 (incl. GST)
Objective:
At the completion of this session the enrolled nurse should be able to define major & minor depressive illnesses; a grief reaction and bereavement; participate in relevant data collection and contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of planned nursing interventions.
Content includes:
- defining major & minor depression; grief and bereavement
- risk factors for depression in the older adult
- data collection activities and tools
- pharmacological and psychosocial interventions
Session 4 – Alzheimer’s and non-Alzheimer’s NCD
Dementia is now called neurocognitive disorders (NCD)
1.5 CPD HOURS
$55 (incl. GST)
Objective:
At the completion of this session the enrolled nurse should be able to list the more frequent causes of neurocognitive disorders; list the symptoms of impaired cognitive function; contribute to planned nursing care, through the accurate collection of data; list some of the age related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
Content includes:
- vascular, Lewy bodies; frontotemporal degeneration; HIV & substance induced NCD
- symptoms of neurocognitive disorders
- planned nursing care
- pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics changes due to ageing
Session 5 – Introduction to PLST
Person centred care model
1.5 CPD HOURS
$55 (incl. GST)
Objective:
At the completion of the session the enrolled nurse should be able to list the modifiable and non- modifiable factors affecting symptom presentation due to neurocognitive disorder; define a conceptual model.
Content includes:
- conceptual models of nursing care
- size and location of damage; impact of pre-morbid personality.
- cultural, ethnic and religious affiliations.
- environmental and interpersonal demands
Session 6 – Cognitive losses
Why repetition is a symptom, not a behaviour
1.5 CPD HOURS
$55 (incl. GST)
Objective:
At the completion of this session the enrolled nurse should be able to list the cognitive symptoms associated with neurocognitive disorders; participate in relevant data collection and contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of planned nursing interventions.
Content includes:
- memory types and losses, data requirement for planned nursing management
- language losses in Alzheimer’s disease; data requirement for planned nursing management
- agnosia – symptoms of losses; data requirement for planned nursing management
- recognition of executive function loss; data requirement for planned nursing management
Session 7 – Affective losses
How the paranoia can be managed.
1.5 CPD HOURS
$55 (incl. GST)
Objective:
At the completion of this session the enrolled nurse should be able to list the affective symptoms associated with neurocognitive disorders; participate in relevant data collection and contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of planned nursing interventions
Content includes:
- loss of affect or personality change; data requirement for planned nursing management
- paranoia or an explanation; data requirement for planned nursing management
- hallucination or pseudo-hallucinations; data requirement for planned nursing management
- social withdrawal, whose problem; data requirement for planned nursing management
Session 8 – Conative losses
Whose routine is the best?
1.5 CPD HOURS
$55 (incl. GST)
Objective:
At the completion of this session the enrolled nurse should be able to list the conative symptoms associated with neurocognitive disorders; participate in relevant data collection and contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of planned nursing interventions
Content includes:
- planning losses associated with wandering; data requirement for planned nursing management
- reduced praxis; data requirement for planned nursing management
- motor apraxia; data requirement for planned nursing management
Session 9 – PLST person centred care
Why behaviours occur
1.5 CPD HOURS
$55 (incl. GST)
Objective:
At the completion of this session the enrolled nurse should be able to state how the progressively lowered stress threshold model of care reduces disturbed and dysfunctional responses and can list the major stressors
Content includes:
- the progressively lowered stress threshold model of care
- person centred care for clients with a dementia
- data requirement for planned nursing management
- planned strategies for aggressive; intrusive; ‘stealing’; calling out; Sundowner syndrome and other behaviour
Session 10 – Summation, review and assignment writing
Demonstrating your knowledge
1.5 CPD HOURS
Objective:
At the completion of this session and program the enrolled nurse should be able to write an assignment that demonstrates an understating of how cognitive losses may present; how to contribute to contemporary person centre care planning to minimise disturbed and dysfunctional responses
Content includes:
- positive regard and environmental support
- the care plan and evaluation of care
- review of nursing documentation
- assignment writing
Registration will be provided (at no further cost) on completion of the previous nine sessions
Please note our new 2015 Update Dementia Program for Registered Nurses commences soon.
Please go here for updated course details and a 20% DISCOUNT offer!
The course below is our previous version and still currently available
University Recognised Post Graduate
Dementia Program for Registered Nurses
Age Concern Pty Ltd is fortunate to have attracted some of Australia’s internationally recognised specialists as facilitators of this course.
Previous university study not required.
This program is:
- appropriate for RNs working in any health service
- recognised by the University of Queensland to Master level, for students who successfully complete the program and gain enrolment in relevant nursing courses
- has been recognised by other universities
- practice oriented and evidence based.
- directs analytical thinking and evaluation of care in all care settings.
Overall Objective:
There is an objective for each session but at the completion of all sessions you will be able to integrate contemporary knowledge to assess needs of and develop evidence based and person centred care strategies for clients with dementia.
Course Information:
Participants of the full program will also be provided with all necessary resources assist with the pre-reading and completion of the case study. This includes handouts of the slides and all extensive readings.
To facilitate some sessions there will be pre-reading. With the exception of the first week, this is not more than half an hour per session.
Participants of the shorter version (that is, not completing the assessment), will be provided handouts of the slides.
If for any reason you are not able to be online at the session time, you will have complete access to the session for the following 24 hours, including all questions, answers and other interactions. After 24 hours you simply contact the office to let us know when would be a suitable time to open the program for you. If you have any questions you will be able to email them to the facilitator.
Entry Requirements:
Participants enrolled in the complete and assessed version of the program, must be licensed to practice as a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. To complete the case studies the applicant will require rightful access to nursing and medical records of clients.
MINIMUM HOURS OF INSTRUCTION
For participants enrolled in the complete and assessed version of the program, the hours specified in the time table are the mandatory minimum, and includes hours used to view the archived sessions.
ASSESSMENT
A two part case study and a medication audit make up the assessment modules of the program, to be completed within 10 weeks of the final session.
This Dementia Program for Registered Nurses program has been endorsed by APEC number 05021185 on behalf of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia according to approved criteria.
Course Details:
30 – 35 CPD HOURS
Facilitators:
- Prof. David Ames -Professor of Ageing and Health, University of Melbourne
- Prof. Jennene Greenhill – Director, Flinders University Rural Clinical School
- Geri Hall (Banner Alzheimer’s Inst USA)
- Dr Rosalie Hudson – Hon. Senior Fellow, School of Nursing & Social Work, University of Melbourne
- Dr Ian Presnell – Snr Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine Nursing & Health Sciences, Monash University
- Joyce McSwan- B.Pharm. MAACPA, Accredited Consultant Pharmacist
- Prue Mellor – Managing Director, Age Concern Pty Ltd
Course Fees:
Option 1:
Course, NO assignments:
$660 (no GST)
receive Certificate of Attendance & 30 CPD HOURS
$230 X 3 Payments (no GST)
Payments are due on registration, 2nd & 4th week of program and you agree for these funds to be withdrawn automatically.
Option 2:
Course & assignments:
$880 (no GST)
receive Certificate of Attendance & 35 CPD HOURS
$230 X 4 Payments (no GST)
Payments are due on registration, 2nd & 4th week of program and you agree for these funds to be withdrawn automatically.
Sessions:
Week 1 Introductory Session
Introduction; legal and professional documentation vs. funding; words never to use; what is duty of care?; the National Competency Standards for the Registered Nurse; the NMBA. (Prue Mellor RN, MNg Geront), MNg (NPrac), MACN)
Week 2 Professional Nursing Issues An introduction to research/evidence based practice relating to everyday care tasks and introduction to ethics and ethical decision making. When was the last time that you checked the evidence and or ethics of your practice and what you direct to others? What ethical framework do you use? (Prof. Jennene Greenhill)
Week 3 Neurocognitive disorders (Non-Alzheimer’s Dementia) – know the difference! Includes vascular dementia; dementia with Lewy bodies; frontotemporal dementia; what is happening in the brain; symptom presentation; differentiation and assessment. Reviews the pathophysiology and clearly identifies the differences (Dr Ian Presnell)
Week 4 Alzheimer’s Disease. This is all you need to know about Alzheimer’s disease, not related to nursing, but the disease process. Includes the patho-physiology; latest research; risk factors; symptom presentation; diagnosis; assessment tools & processes; treatments & the future. (Prof. David Ames)
Week 5 Depression. Criteria for depression; types; risk factors in the elderly; symptom presentation in older adults (not crying); assessment; treatment options. Also includes the issue of nurses using assessment tools incorrectly for funding and the risks for their clients (Dr Ian Presnell)
Week 6 A summation and nursing focus of the neurocognitive disorders (non- Alzheimer’s dementia syndromes), and depression. Includes recommended nursing considerations for each condition and introduces the condition of Mild Cognitive Impairment(Prue Mellor RN, MNg Geront), MNg (NPrac), MACN)
Week 7 Delirium introduction – diagnostic criteria; risk factors; mortality & morbidity (the role of nursing documentation); assessment tools and nursing responsibilities and interventions (Prue Mellor RN, MNg Geront), MNg (NPrac), MACN)
Week 8 Nursing Assessment. Nursing responsibilities relating to the selection and correct use of assessment tools; translating data from PAS and SMMSE to care plans; the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia on nursing assessment (Prue Mellor RN, MNg Geront), MNg (NPrac), MACN)
Week 9 Introduction to Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold. The role of care models in nursing and clients with a dementia of any sub-type; assumptions; clustering the symptoms of dementia and symptom presentation. (Prue Mellor RN, MNg Geront), MNg (NPrac), MACN)
Week 10 Cognitive losses. Memory & other cognitive losses; including visuospatial, agnosia, aphasia, executive function; importance of expecting losses; supportive care strategies and identifying effective social activities for individuals. (Prue Mellor RN, MNg Geront), MNg (NPrac), MACN)
Week 11 Affective losses. Personality changes or not? Treatable psychotic symptoms or an attempt to explain their interpretation of the world? Hallucinations or illusions? Explaining sexual and other responses; signs and symptoms or behaviours? (Prue Mellor RN, MNg Geront), MNg (NPrac), MACN)
Week 12 Dementia Staging and Care Planning. Staging Alzheimer’s disease across Mon the continuum, includes the care for each of the stages. (Dr Geri Hall)
Week 13 Pharmacology. Over view of medication in the elderly, with emphasis on those patients with a dementia syndrome; includes half life, steady states and the use of medication for behaviour management and nursing responsibilities. (Joyce McSwann B.Pharm. MAACPA)
Week 14 Conative losses. The association of planning losses with wandering and agitation, a reflection on nursing care. Sequencing and apraxia associated with increasing care needs. (Prue Mellor RN, MNg Geront), MNg (NPrac), MACN)
Week 15 Palliative care. An overview of palliative care with an emphasis on the needs of clients with a dementia of any cause (Dr. Rosalie Hudson)
Week 16 Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold (Behaviours). A nursing model of care for Sundowners syndrome, aggression, agitation, anxiety and catastrophic responses. Includes assessment, interventions and how to evaluate your care. (Prue Mellor RN, MNg Geront), MNg (NPrac), MACN)
Week 17 Documentation that supports person centred care and care plans requirements. (Prue Mellor RN, MNg Geront), MNg (NPrac), MACN)
Week 18 Final session – Summary and program conclusion. Discussion of case study and medication audit. (Prue Mellor RN, MNg Geront), MNg (NPrac), MACN)
Dementia Program for Carers
This program is to assist PCWs – AINs by aligning their knowledge and skills with the updated 2013 skills and knowledge of person centred dementia care for RNs and ENs.
Overall Objective:
PCWs/AINs are likely to be responsible for most of the direct care of residents and clients with a dementia, and therefore more likely to be involved in reportable incidents of any description.
As part of the OH&S and risk management strategy of any aged care service, evidence of contemporary knowledge and practices by all care staff, of clients with a dementia, is a primary requirement. This is particularly so in relation to the management of ‘behaviours’.
Delivery suggestions for groups:
- We recommend the program, where possible, is set up as group sessions, through your TV or data projector
- staff who cannot make the group sessions can have access to the recorded ‘archived’ sessions at times to suit
- each group should be facilitated by a RN, as ENs cannot not direct care to PCW/AINs
Course Details:
Facilitator:
Prue Mellor RN, M(Geront), MNg(NPrac), MACN
Course Fees:
Individual:
$33 per person per session (includes GST)
$150 per person (includes GST) (entire course)
Organisation / Group Fee:
25% discount on group bookings of 5 or more
40% discount on group bookings of 10 or more.
50% discount on group bookings of 15 or more.
60% discount on group bookings of 20 or more.
Session 1 – Professional Practice for Personal Care Workers:
The legal role of Cert III role; documenting legally; the issue of PCWs – AINs documenting for ACFI; is it a behaviour or something else? Words that should never used on care documents e.g. confusion, agitated, anxious, inappropriate or aggressive.
Session Cost: $33 (inclusive of GST)
(Discounts for Organisations apply)
Session 2 – The brain and how dementia develops:
A diagrammatic demonstration of how Alzheimer’s causes the signs and symptoms of dementia; how care staff will know that a resident/client has some damage in the brain and how they should respond.
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Session Cost: $33 (inclusive of GST)
(Discounts for Organisations apply)
Session 3 – Memory & other losses – how to help:
Memory loss and how to support the resident/client; the issues with showering and dressing; getting lost and refusing care and how care staff should respond.
Session Cost: $33 (inclusive of GST)
(Discounts for Organisations apply)
Session 4 – Person centred care & activities:
Communicating with residents/clients with dementia; knowing which activities may be enjoyed by each resident/client; what is person centred care and the role of personal care workers.
Session Cost: $33 (inclusive of GST)
(Discounts for Organisations apply)
Session 5 – Behaviours:
What are behaviours; who has them; who cause them and how can they be managed? offers management for aggression, sexual behaviours, Sundowner syndrome plus more.
Session Cost: $33 (inclusive of GST)
(Discounts for Organisations apply)
Session 6 – When it is not dementia:
There are other causes to the signs and symptoms of dementia and care workers have a major role in reporting the changes and being involved in some prevention activities; infections, nutrition and hydration; sadness, grief and depression.
Session Cost: $33 (inclusive of GST)
(Discounts for Organisations apply)