NTG Dementia Training

Summary

People experiencing disability face many of the same age-related challenges as other older adults. It is crucial that COR employees understand age-related changes, know how to promote healthy aging, and be able to recognize and address symptoms of dementia. Early detection of dementia is key, particularly for adults experiencing down syndrome as the prevalence of dementia is significantly higher than in the general population.

The introduction to aging and dementia areas provide excellent information for anyone who supports someone who is aging with an intellectual disability.  The third area will explore healthcare advocacy and dementia screening and is particularly relevant for support staff who are involved in supporting people with healthcare advocacy and related decision-making. The fourth area will look at supporting decision-making with someone who is experiencing dementia, and some of the decisions that will need to be addressed as the dementia progresses. The final area will discuss dementia capable environments and some practical ideas on how to adapt environments to be more dementia friendly.

In this session, we will cover five (5) topic areas, including:

1. Introduction to Aging

We will explore aging and how to promote healthy aging for the people you support. You will learn: – Age-related changes that all people will experience – How to distinguish between normal changes and pathological changes as people age – Key aspects of aging for people who experience intellectual disability – The key determinants of health and the factors that impact healthy aging – Barriers to healthy aging – Recommendations to promote healthy aging for people experiencing disability

2. Introduction to Dementia

We will take a closer look at dementia and how it impacts people experiencing disability. You will learn: – What dementia is and why you should know about dementia – Different types of dementia and how to recognize the symptoms of dementia – How dementia progresses through different stages – Understanding the prevalence of dementia for adults experiencing intellectual disability – Identifying early signs of dementia and understanding the process of diagnosis for adults experiencing intellectual disability and dementia – Strategies to consider when supporting people throughout the different stages of dementia

3. Healthcare Advocacy

…and the NTG Early Detection Screening Tool for Dementia (NTG-EDSD) We will explore your role in healthcare advocacy for the people you support. You will learn: – The four steps of healthcare advocacy – The importance of quality observations as they relate to advocacy – How input and observations from a variety of sources will assist with accurate assessment, diagnosis, and intervention for people experiencing disability and dementia – The importance of early detection of the signs of dementia for people experiencing disability – How to use the NTG-EDSD Using input and observations from a variety of sources in the NTG-EDSD to assist with early screening for dementia

4. Decision Making

…and Adults with an Intellectual Disability and Dementia We will examine your role in supporting decision-making for people experiencing disability and dementia. You will learn: – The barriers that people may experience related to decision-making – The rights that all people have when making decisions – The importance of advanced care planning and some of the decisions that will need to be addressed – Types of decision-making in Saskatchewan, including supported decision-making, co-decision making, and guardianship – Information about powers of attorney, health care directives, and health care proxies in Saskatchewan

5. Dementia Capable Environments

The final area will discuss dementia capable environments and some practical ideas on how to adapt environments to be more dementia friendly.

Cancellation Policy

COR reserves the right to cancel a course 2 weeks prior to the course date if we have not received a minimum number of registrations. If this does occur, participants will have the option to move their registration to a future date or receive a full refund. Please see our full cancellation policy here.

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