Dementia: Early Detection, Challenges Addressed & the Latest Treatment Options

CPD

Handouts

Speaker

Nanette Lavoie-Vaughan, CDCP, ANPC-C, DNP Related seminars and products

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Nanette Lavoie-Vaughan, CDCP, ANPC-C, DNP, has over 30 years of experience in the geriatric field. Previously she has worked as a nurse practitioner, director of nursing, and staff nurse across various settings as she has focused in on her specialty of geriatric/dementia care. Nanette shared her knowledge with others as a clinical assistant professor at East Carolina University College of Nursing, a clinical instructor at UNCG and an adjunct faculty member at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Nanette has presented nationally and internationally on dementia, pain management, caregiver issues, and topics specific to long-term care.

She is the author of Eldercare: The Comprehensive Guide to Caregiving and a new evidence-based clinical practice guideline for the non-pharmacological management of behavioral problems in dementia. Her expertise and research are recognized through published work in Clinics of North America and in book chapters and online continuing education modules. Nanette also serves as an expert witness for several law firms and was a Sigma Theta Tau Faculty Mentor.

Her educational accomplishments include an MSN from Florida State University, a DNP from Vanderbilt University and a postdoctoral fellowship in ethnogeriatrics at Stanford University.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Nanette Lavoie-Vaughan is the owner of Dr Nurse Nan Consulting. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Nanette Lavoie-Vaughan is a member of the Geriatric Advanced Practice Nurses Association, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the American Nurses Association, the North Carolina Nurses Association, and the American Society on Aging.

Objectives

• Distinguish the differences between the various types of dementias.
• Explain the manifestations of various types of dementia.
• Choose appropriate culturally-sensitive and disease-specific management strategies.
• Differentiate between the psychotropic drug choices for dementia and associated depression, anxiety and behavioral problems.
• Evaluate useful and creative strategies to manage the unique challenges of dementia patients.
• Assist caregivers in managing care, making critical decisions and handling stress.
• Analyze available resources from primary care, home health, adult day services and long-term care.
• Determine when geriatric psychiatry services should be involved to optimally manage symptoms.

Outline

Types of Dementia & Diagnosis

• Controlling risk factors before diagnosis
• Getting the diagnosis early
• Alzheimer’s
• Lewy body
• Vascular
• Mixed
• Early onset

Management Strategies

• Alzheimer’s specific
• Lewy body specific
• Wandering
• Falls
• Nutrition
• Driving
• Home safety
• Environment
• Sleep patterns
• Bowel function
• Emergent situations

Pharmacology

• Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
• Antidepressants
• Anxiolytics
• Antipsychotics
• The current challenge to reduce antipsychotics

Interventions for the Unique Challenges

• Aggression - verbal, physical
• Sexual inappropriateness
• Delusions/Hallucinations
• Agitation
• Racism
• Cultural differences
• Delirium
• Pre-morbid experiences and personality

Assisting the Overwhelmed Caregivers

• Non-pharmacological interventions
• Stress reduction
• Compassion fatigue
• Safety
• Making difficult decisions
• Respite
• Hospice/End of life care
• Helping children understand
• Working with low literacy and English as a Second Language caregivers

Resources

• Organizations
• Support groups
• Educational materials
• The latest practice guidelines
• Insurance and finance considerations
• Staff training
• Using geriatric neuropsychiatry services

What’s On the Horizon

• Research for early diagnosis and treatment
• Care facilities
• Aging in place

Target Audience

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