Your 2-Day Geriatric Certification Outline
DAY ONE
SESSION 1: DIFFERENTIATING DEMENTIAS
Distinguishing the various types of dementia is often difficult. This session provides tools to appropriately screen patients experiencing dementia, along with discussion of the most effective interventions to improve the care you provide.
- Normal vs. Abnormal Aging
- Types of Dementias
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Parkinson’s Disease Dementia
- Substance-Induced Neurocognitive Disorder
- Pharmacological Management
SESSION 2: GERIATRIC PHARMACOLOGY: TOOLS FOR THE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL
For geriatric patients taking more than five medications, the statistical chance of a drug drug interaction or adverse event is 100%! For those experiencing an adverse drug event, one third will require additional treatment. This session will provide straightforward tools that will help you care for older adults receiving multiple medications.
- Drug Utilization Amongst the Elderly
- Clinical Pharmacological Issues in the Elderly
- Tools for Deprescribing
SESSION 3: PAIN MANAGEMENT IN THE ELDERLY
This presentation will review the different categories of controlled substances and their appropriate use in the geriatric patient. Explore special considerations and tools to aid in prescribing and managing pain in the geriatric patient.
- The Challenges Associated with Controlled Substances
- Pain Control... Is every patient’s RIGHT
DAY TWO
SESSION 1: MANAGING GERIATRIC BEHAVIORS: WANDERING, AGGRESSION, MALNUTRITION AND MORE
Behaviors such as wandering, aggression and anxiety can pose significant barriers to the delivery of essential care. Geriatric syndromes such as malnutrition, dehydration and insomnia can diminish quality of life and threaten independence. This session will explore the most frequent problematic behaviors and discuss strategies to improve the care you provide to your geriatric patients.
- Wandering
- Physical Aggression
- Inappropriate Sexual Behaviors
- Eating Issues & Nutrition in Elders with Dementia
- Sleepless Nights & Sundowning
- Professional Issues
SESSION 2: GERIATRIC EMERGENCIES
A high-energy, dynamic session filled with interesting case studies, insightful discussions and interactive learning. You will leave with practical techniques that you can apply right away – if you work with geriatric patients, you don’t want to miss this!
- Physiological Changes with Aging
- Common Underlying Chronic Illness
- Cardiovascular Emergencies
- Pulmonary Emergencies
- Cerebrovascular Emergencies
- Orthopedic Emergencies
- Abdominal Emergencies
SESSION 3: Healthy Brain, Healthy Mind: Beyond Longevity
Tie all that we know about the longest living elders to understand not only about their longevity secrets, but also their health wisdom. Learn about extending a life filled with vibrant health, happiness, and meaning.
- Self-Efficacy Beliefs
- 10 Ways to Love Your Brain
- The Power of 9
DAY ONE
Session 1: Differentiating Dementias- Appraise the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
- Determine appropriate diagnostic tests to achieve accurate diagnosis.
- Devise interventions that are effective and promote positive communication between staff, family & the older adult.
Session 2: Geriatric Pharmacology: Tools for the Healthcare Professional
- Apply techniques and identify strategies to avoid adverse drug events and drug disease interactions.
- Develop individualized monitoring plans for geriatric patients through the evaluation of high risk medications.
- Appraise at least three new guideline recommendations related to geriatric pharmacology.
Session 3: Pain Management in the Elderly
- Implement controlled substance/pain management contracts into practice.
- Prepare to manage symptoms of controlled substance and alcohol misuse and abuse in geriatric patients.
- Develop best practice methods for prescribing in the geriatric population.
DAY TWO
Session 1: Managing Geriatric Behaviors: Wandering, Aggression, Malnutrition and More
- Determine strategies to diminish the occurrence of behavioral problems in individuals with dementia.
- Apply behavioral and environmental techniques to diminish challenging behavioral problems.
- Analyze how cognitive impairment in older individuals is affected by the environment and responses to the behaviors.
Session 2: Geriatric Emergencies
- Distinguish etiologic and pathologic factors associated with neurological, orthopedic, abdominal, cardiovascular & pulmonary emergencies.
- Differentiate between typical aging and complex management of co-morbidities in the elderly.
- Determine which geriatric emergencies mandate immediate hospitalization.
Session 3: Healthy Brain, Healthy Mind: Beyond Longevity
- Understand the process of “normal” aging of the brain.
- Cite examples of key Alzheimer ’s Disease prevention strategies.
- Evaluate activities that can improve overall brain health.
