With the support of The John A. Hartford Foundation and GAPNA, the UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care program developed The Dementia Care Specialist (DCS) Curriculum. This 22-module curriculum provides a basic knowledge base for Advanced Practice Nurses who are looking to advance their expertise in caring for patients with dementia.
The overall goal of this course is to provide Advanced Practice Nurses with knowledge necessary to provide high quality dementia care management.
Contact hours for this course expired on 11/1/2021; however, an updated course is available at gapna.org/dcs.
Lessons
This unit provides an overview of Alzheimer’s and related dementias and introduces key components to the evaluation and management of patients with dementia.
Activities Included:
Module 1: What is Dementia?
Module 2: Current Approaches to the Diagnosis of Dementia
Module 3: Medication Treatment of Dementia and its Complications
Module 4: Behavioral Treatment of Complications of Dementia
Module 5: Safety, Function, and Autonomy
Unit A CNE Evaluation - 2.61 contact hours
This unit describes the relationship between specialized dementia care and primary care as well as partnerships between health systems and community based organizations to best manage dementia patients.
Activities Included:
Module 6: Co-Management of Dementia
Module 7: Working with Community-Based Resources
Unit B CNE Evaluation - 0.67 contact hours
This unit addresses the use of the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care software and applying a goal oriented approach to dementia care.
Activities Included:
Module 8: Using Dementia Care Software
Module 9: Goal Setting
Unit C CNE Evaluation - 1.24 contact hours
This unit reviews each step of performing an initial assessment with patients and caregivers.
Activities Included:
Module 10: Interpreting the Completed Pre-Visit Paperwork
Module 11: Conducting the Initial Visit with the Patient/Caregiver
Module 12: Drafting and Revising the Care Plan
Unit D CNE Evaluation - 1.14 contact hours
This unit describes ongoing dementia care after the initial assessment.
Activities Included:
Module 13: Following-up: Telephone, Electronically, and In Person
Module 14: Urgencies and Emergencies
Module 15: Managing Common Comorbidities (Insomnia, Depression, Constipation)
Module 16: Choosing the Best Living Situation
Module 17: Advance Directives and Ethical Issues
Module 18: Insurance, Financial and Legal issues
Module 19: Cultural, Ethnic, and Diversity Considerations
Unit E CNE Evaluation - 2.76 contact hours
This unit reviews resources and opportunities to assist caregivers with management of stress and burnout.
Activities Included:
Module 20: Caregiver Stress, Depression and Burnout
Module 21: Effective Caregiver Support Programs
Module 22: Community-based Caregiver Training Programs/Education
Unit F CNE Evaluation - 0.58 contact hours
Complete this evaluation to print a transcript for the course.
Activities Included:
Final Certificate - Entire Course - 9.00 contact hours
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