Here's How to Treat Dementia

Jennifer L. Loehr M.A. CCC-SLP has been practicing speech pathology since 1989. Her career focus has always been in geriatrics and she has spent the past ten years focused on working with the dementia population. Jennifer has served as a corporate consultant for several large healthcare agencies offering advisement and staff training in dementia care. She has presented regularly at the national American Speech-Language-Hearing conferences as well as various state and local conferences and workshops. Jennifer specializes in developing dementia programs that focus on functional goals that will enhance the quality of life for her patients, caregivers and family members. Jennifer currently works in home health care, providing dementia programs and speech therapy services to home bound patients in independent living, assisted living, and Alzheimer's assisted living facilities. Megan L. Malone, M.A. CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist working in home health care and private practice. Her specialty areas include developing functional intervention strategies for patients living with cognitive impairments and their families, and training facility staff and caregivers in understanding and working effectively with the dementia population. She previously worked for 9 years as a senior research associate and lead trainer at Myers Research Institute, in Cleveland, Ohio, where she oversaw federally and privately funded grants focused on implementing non-pharmacologic interventions with older adults with dementia. She has spoken numerous times at the annual conventions of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Gerontological Society of America, American Society on Aging, and the Alzheimer's Association, along with several state speech and hearing conventions. She has published articles in the Journal of Communication Disorders, Alzheimer's Care Quarterly, The Gerontologist, and Dementia.

Foreword Preface Part I: Understanding Dementia Chapter 1. How Memory Works Memory Systems Declarative Memory Nondeclarative Memory Applying Knowledge of Memory Systems to Treatment Summary References Chapter 2. What Causes Dementia How Is Dementia Diagnosed? Classifications Common Diagnoses What Is Not Dementia? Conclusion References Chapter 3. Demographics of Dementia Why Do We Need to Understand the Demographics of Dementia? What Does the Face of Dementia Look Like? What About the Caregivers? Summary References Chapter 4. Common Symptoms of Dementia Introduction Most Common Symptoms Symptoms Related to Specific Diagnosis Summary References Chapter 5. Physical Considerations: Look Beyond the Diagnosis Dysphagia Malnutrition Dehydration Gum/Dental Disease Infection Gait Dysfunction Heart Disease Sleep Disturbance Depression Summary Reference Part II: Effective Therapeutic Interventions Chapter 6. Dementia Staging Early Stage Middle Stage Late Stage Staging Tools Summary References Chapter 7. Evaluation Tools and Techniques Referrals Screening Evaluation Considerations Chart Review and Case History Selected Formal Tests for Evaluating Dementia Functional Evaluation Summary References Chapter 8. Goal Setting and Writing 101 Goal Writing Step One: Prioritize! Anatomy of a Goal Additional Elements of a Strong Goal Additional Elements of a Strong Goal Short-Term and Long-Term Goals Goal Examples Case Study Summary References Chapter 9. Treatment Trends The Spaced Retrieval Technique Montessori-Based Dementia Programming Validation Therapy Reminiscence Therapy Use of Visual/Graphic Cues and Memory Books Compensatory Strategies and Communication/Controversial Approaches Choosing Treatment Strategies Summary References Part III: Additional Considerations in Treatment of Dementia Chapter 10. Counseling, Teaching, and Supporting Introduction Understanding Grief The Approach Counseling Take Care of Yourself Summary References Chapter 11. Documentation: Connecting the Dots Introduction Why Do We Have to Document? The Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of Dementia Documentation A Quick Word About Denials Show Me the Data! Get Out of Your Rut Conclusion References Chapter 12. Behavioral Issues Common Behavioral Symptoms Associated with Dementia Understanding Behavioral Symptoms Analyzing Behavioral Symptoms Developing Treatment Solutions for Behavioral Challenges Summary References Appendixes Chapter 13. Drugs and Supplements Pharmacological Intervention Non-Pharmacological Intervention Be Cautiously Supportive Clinical Trials References Chapter 14. The Holistic Approach Dementia Care Team Members Collaboration and Co-Treatment Collaborative Treatment Guide Summary References Chapter 15. Special Considerations for the Home Health Therapist What Is Home Health Care? The OASIS and Reassessment Requirements Plan of Care and Goal Considerations Challenges of Home Care Environment Noncompliance and Family Considerations Carryover Summary References Appendices Index