Lesson 1Mobility, falls risk and gait: Timed Up and Go, Morse Fall Scale, orthostatic vitalsLooks at checking mobility, walking patterns, and fall risks in dementia using Timed Up and Go test, Morse Fall Scale, and standing blood pressure checks. Stresses looking at multiple risks and specific prevention steps to keep movement safe.
Taking a focused mobility and falls historyPerforming the Timed Up and Go test safelyUsing the Morse Fall Scale and interpreting scoresMeasuring orthostatic vitals and dizziness symptomsDesigning individualized falls prevention plansLesson 2Nutrition and hydration evaluation: weight trends, meal intake records, swallowing screening, MNA (Mini Nutritional Assessment)Covers full checks on eating and drinking in dementia, including weight changes, food logs, swallow tests, and MNA tool. Focuses on spotting risks early, preventing choking, and tailoring care to each person's needs.
Reviewing weight history and BMI trends over timeMonitoring meal intake, snacks, and fluid balanceScreening swallowing and aspiration risk at bedsideAdministering and interpreting the MNA toolPlanning interventions for malnutrition and dehydrationLesson 3Pain assessment in cognitively impaired patients: PAINAD, Abbey Pain Scale, observational indicatorsGives a way to check pain in those with thinking problems using PAINAD, Abbey Pain Scale, and watching behaviours. Highlights normal behaviours, cultural aspects, and checking if pain relief works.
Recognizing atypical and behavioral pain indicatorsUsing the PAINAD scale step by stepApplying the Abbey Pain Scale in practiceDifferentiating pain from agitation or deliriumReassessing pain after interventions and documentingLesson 4Sleep and nighttime behaviour assessment: sleep-wake patterns, sleep diaries, sleep disturbance scalesDeals with checking sleep and night behaviours in dementia using diaries, family reports, and standard scales. Tackles body clock issues, safety dangers, and drug-free ways to better sleep.
Collecting sleep-wake history and bedtime routinesUsing sleep diaries and actigraphy when availableApplying sleep disturbance scales in dementiaIdentifying nocturnal wandering and safety risksNonpharmacologic strategies to improve sleepLesson 5Behavioural symptom mapping: ABC (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence) charting and frequency/severity logsHandles mapping behaviours and mind symptoms with ABC charts and logs of how often and how bad. Teaches spotting patterns, linking triggers to actions, and using info for non-drug fixes and team plans.
Principles of ABC (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence)Designing clear behavior definitions and rating scalesCompleting ABC charts in real time on the unitAnalyzing frequency, severity, and temporal patternsUsing mapping data to tailor interventions and careLesson 6Continence and toileting patterns: bladder/bowel charting and prompted voiding assessmentLooks at steady checks for bladder and bowel control in dementia, including charts, patterns, and prompted toileting tests. Stresses protecting skin, keeping dignity, and finding fixable causes of leaks.
Collecting continence history and current routinesUsing bladder and bowel charts for pattern trackingAssessing for reversible causes of incontinenceImplementing prompted voiding and timed toiletingProtecting skin and preserving privacy and dignityLesson 7Environment and psychosocial factors: room setup, triggers, social engagement, family dynamicsChecks how surroundings and social life affect function and upset in dementia. Focuses on room arrangement, sensory overload, routines, social links, and family relations to cut triggers and boost wellbeing.
Assessing room layout, lighting, and noise levelsIdentifying environmental triggers and overstimulationEvaluating routines, structure, and meaningful activityAssessing social engagement and isolation riskExploring family roles, conflict, and caregiver stressLesson 8Cognition and mood screening: MMSE, MoCA, Global Deterioration Scale, Cornell Scale for Depression in DementiaLooks at screening thinking and mood in dementia with MMSE, MoCA, GDS, and Cornell Scale. Stresses comparing to baselines, cultural factors, and using results in care plans and talks.
Selecting appropriate cognitive screening toolsAdministering MMSE and MoCA reliablyUsing the Global Deterioration Scale for stagingScreening depression with the Cornell ScaleCommunicating results to team, patient, and familyLesson 9Skin and wound assessment: pressure risk scales (Braden), documentation of skin tears and sacral rednessDetails full skin and wound checks in dementia, with Braden scores, early pressure sore signs, and noting tears and redness. Focuses on stopping problems, turning patients, and team follow-up.
Performing a head-to-toe skin inspectionUsing the Braden Scale and interpreting risk levelsIdentifying early pressure injury and sacral rednessAssessing and documenting skin tears accuratelyPlanning prevention, dressings, and follow-up careLesson 10Collecting immediate 24-hour history: vital signs, recent changes, baseline function, and ADLsHelps nurses gather quick 24-hour history, covering vitals, recent shifts, usual function, and daily activities. Aids fast spotting of sickness, confusion, or drop, and sets urgent care needs.
Reviewing recent vital signs and pain scoresIdentifying new symptoms and behavior changesClarifying baseline cognition and functional statusDocumenting ADL performance and support needsPrioritizing urgent concerns for provider reviewLesson 11Medication review and polypharmacy check: anticholinergics, sedatives, hypoglycemics, antihypertensives, recent changes and PRN useLooks at checking meds for dementia folks, eyeing high-risk drugs, as-needed use, and new changes. Stresses spotting side effects, cutting unnecessary meds, and working with doctors.
Collecting complete medication and allergy historiesIdentifying high-risk anticholinergic and sedative drugsReviewing hypoglycemics and antihypertensives safelyAssessing PRN use, duplication, and drug interactionsCommunicating concerns and deprescribing with prescribers
