Day 1: Description
Topics in Dementia for the Rehabilitation Therapist
This session will address advanced considerations specific for the PT/PTA or OT/COTA working with a person who has dementia. First, in this age of direct access to rehabilitation services, understanding the differential diagnostics for the various sub-types of dementia are critical. It is also key to be able to utilize tests and measures for assessing cognition and differentiating changes from other pathology, such as delirium and depression. Further, there is a growing body of evidence that people with dementia (and their care partners) benefit from healthcare professionals who are well versed in recognizing pain and sleep disturbances that may impact quality of life. Additionally, adapting communication techniques, mitigating fall risk, and promoting the benefits of physical activity/exercise can help someone sustain mobility and function despite the added challenges of dementia.
Day 1: Objectives
By attending this seminar, the participant will be able to:
1) Differentiate the various forms of dementia and distinguish them from depression and delirium
2) Assess cognition with evidence-based tests and measures
3) Implement changes in your verbal and non-verbal approach while working as a care partner for people with dementia as part of a therapy session
4) Identify tools that can be used to assess and document pain in people with dementia
5) Describe the impact of sleep disruption and fragmentation on people with dementia
6) Utilize fall risk assessment tools valid for people with dementia
7) Recommend physical activity and exercise programs that meet individual needs for people with dementia
Day 1: Schedule
8:00- 9:30 - Dementia as an umbrella term, subsets of dementia, delirium, and depression
9:30-10:00 - Assessment tools of cognition
10:00-10:15 - BREAK
10:15-12:00 - Communication skills
12:00- 1:00 - LUNCH (on your own)
1:00- 1:40 - Sleep impact on dementia and behavioral expressions
1:40- 2:10 - Recognizing pain in people with dementia
2:10- 2:25 - BREAK
2:25- 3:30 - Fall risk, positive risk management
3:30- 4:15 - Exercise and physical activity programs
4:15- 4:30 - Questions and answers
Day 2: Description
Using Improv to Enhance Communication with Aging Adults
Have you ever watched "Whose Line Is It Anyway" and thought to yourself, "Wow, this looks like the clinic?" A little chaos, some misunderstandings and ending up in a completely different place than you started? Medical improvisation has been used effectively in pre-professional and post-professional training to improve healthcare professionals' communication skills, build empathy, and enhance connection. Building on medical literature on the effectiveness of improvisation in communication, we will apply improv principles to communication challenges via exercises and role-play. Bring an open mind and willing heart!
Day 2: Objectives
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
1) Articulate the principles of improvisation to improve communication
2) Role-play challenging scenarios using medical improvisation
3) Apply improv techniques to successfully connect to individuals with aging adults
Day 2: Schedule
8:00- 9:00 - Principles of improvisation
9:00-10:15 - Applying improvisation principles in action
10:15-10:30 - BREAK
10:30-11:30 - Case applications
11:30-12:15 - Facilitating improv among your peers
12:15-12:30 - Questions and answers/Wrap-up
Speaker: Cathy Ciolek, PT, DPT, FAPTA
Dr. Ciolek is President of Living Well with Dementia, LLC - providing education and consultation to promote well-being and positive expectations for people with dementia. Cathy is a graduate of Ithaca College with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy. She also completed a graduate certificate in Gerontology from the University of Delaware and a Doctor of Physical Therapy from AT Still University.
Dr. Ciolek is a Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist (GCS) since 1996 and a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) as well as a Certified Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care Trainer (CADDCT) and a Certified Exercise Expert for the Aging Adult (CEEAA). Cathy has been a physical therapist for over 30 years, practicing across the continuum of acute care, home health care, outpatient, and SNF. Additional, she has been an academic and clinical educator for hundreds of physical therapy students in the Delaware area.
Dr. Ciolek has served in several roles in the APTA and its components. She is currently the President of the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy. She has been recognized by APTA Geriatrics, APTA Delaware, and APTA National as a leader and advocate for aging adults, including being recognized as a Catherine Worthingham Fellow of APTA.
