Dementia Care
Dementia is a general term for loss of memory and other mental abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life. It is caused by physical changes in the brain. According to the Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of cases.
Reports/Resources:
New Resource Tool for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Staff
For the fourth year, the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP) is offering The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners Alzheimer’s and Dementia Staff Education Week February 14th to the 21st Toolkit. The toolkit includes PowerPoint In-services Training on a number of topics for health care staff, and all include pre-test, post-test, hand outs, answers, in-service evaluation, and in-service certificates. The Toolkit is free and available on NCCDP's website.
To learn more about NCCDP and Alzheimer’s and Dementia Staff Education Week, go to www.nccdp.org.
2011 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures
An Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures report details the growing prevalence and escalating impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia on individuals, caregivers, families, government and the nation.
Alzheimer's Early Detection Alliance (AEDA) Toolkit
The Alzheimer's Association offers a number of resources to help in communication efforts. The toolkit includes information for your advertisements, brochures, intranet, newsletters, posters and more.
Dementia Care Practice Recommendations for Assisted Living Residences and Nursing Homes
The Alzheimer’s Association used the latest evidence in dementia care research and a consensus-building process to develop specific recommendations for dementia care practices in the areas of food and fluid consumption, pain management, social engagement, wandering, falls and physical restraint use.
Encouraging Comfort Care: A Guide for Families of People with Dementia Living in Care Facilities
This free, online 21-page booklet, produced by the Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Illinois Chapter, provides information to families and staff of long-term care facilities about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, particularly care issues related to the late and final stages. For families, this guide offers information on informed choices about a variety of medical decisions they may face on behalf of loved ones with dementia living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other types of care settings. It is also intended to equip families with questions to ask about obtaining quality care for their loved ones, including a checklist of comfort care measures to be discussed with staff members of care facilities. For staff , the guide will serve as a tool to help educate families and assist them in care planning. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to disseminate this booklet in electronic and print formats.
Also see the Mental Health Trainings and Inservices on the Training page under Ombudsman Support.