Dementia and Other Cognitive Disorders in Older Adults Teaching Module

This teaching module contains PowerPoint slides with teaching notes, a teaching script and additional resource materials. It discusses shared features of Cognitive Disorders with DSM-IV classification that constitute a clinically significant deficit in cognition. Cognitive disorders included are delirium, dementia, and amnesiac disorders. The module describes common terms, demographics, ADLs and IADLs, prevalence, mortality predictors, subtypes, classifications, personality changes due to Alzheimer’s, caregiving issues, psychosocial interventions, differential diagnoses, vascular dementia, general medical condition (GMC), symptoms, evidence-based treatments, and medications. Relevant websites, recommended films, and a bibliography are included.

Competencies Addressed in This Module:

• Ability to engage, maintain rapport, and sustain effective working relationships with a wide range of older adults (including those with behavior problems, mental illness, and dementia), their family, and caregivers
• Ability to identify ways to ascertain the health status and physical functioning (e.g., ADLs and IADLs) of the older adult in order to provide assistance
• Ability to conduct differential mental health diagnosis regarding dementia, delirium, and depression with the interdisciplinary team and using appropriate diagnostic tools for older adults
• Understanding of the effects and interactions of multiple chronic conditions, medication, and sudden or ongoing causes of changes in cognitive states and functional capacity