Clinical Topics & Methods Category

Meaningful Strength-Based Interactions With People Experiencing Dementia

1 CE Hour
17 members have taken this course
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About the Course

The terms “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s Disease” typically incite fearful thoughts of frailty, loss and diminishment. It is time for an educational course that teaches us how to identify and connect with people where they are strong! This fun and uplifting course offers 13 strengths, each with specific strategies we can employ to help people function in that strength. The objectives of this course are improved relationships, enhanced life quality, and a reduction of challenging behaviors.

This course is based on the article, Meaningful Strength-Based Interactions with People Experiencing Dementia created by Marya Kain, MS, CMC in 2018.

Publication Details

Publication Date: First 2018

Course Material Author

Marya Kain, MS, CMC

Marya has a Master’s of Science degree in Exercise Physiology with a minor in Psychology of Sport, and a Double Major Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science and Psychology. In her 40 year career, Marya has held a variety of positions including Assisted Living Facility and Memory Care Administrator, Dementia Care Program Director, Dementia Care Specialist, Medical Social Worker, Memory Care Consultant, Certified Alzheimer’s Support Group Facilitator, and Dementia Educator. Currently, Marya works as an Aging Life Care Manager, assisting individuals and their families to navigate the many challenges of aging. She is also a Certified Behavior Consultant for people experiencing dementia who express challenging behaviors. She teaches these skills to professionals and family members throughout the country. Locally she holds support groups for people with dementia and their families, offers classes, and offers one on one consultations, advocacy and guidance.

Marya Kain, MS, CMC authored the material only, and was not involved in creating this CE course. They are identified here for your own evaluation of the relevancy of the material this course is based on.

Course Creator

Jennifer Henderson

Dr. Henderson completed her PhD in clinical psychology at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda MD, and my internship at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Medical Center in San Antonio TX. She is am an integrative therapist who focuses on brief, positive, solutions-focused therapy and is experienced in treating a variety of mental health concerns-- depression, anxiety, stress, grief, trauma, parenting concerns, and more. She is currently practicing in Alaska.

Target Audience

This course is recommended for health care professionals, especially psychologists, counselors, social workers, and addiction counselors who seek knowledge about dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It is appropriate for all levels of participants’ knowledge. This content is at a beginning level.

Learning Objectives

After taking this activity, you should be able to:

  1. 1 Discuss what the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex does, and why understanding its function helps us support people exhibiting challenging behaviors.
  2. 2 Understand and implement the concept of belonging.
  3. 3 Understand why explaining is not always the most effective way to communicate with someone who experiences dementia.
  4. 4 Be able to use 13 specific communication strategies, that improve a person's ability to interact.
  5. 5 Have an awareness of their body language and make changes to more effectively communicate with their clients.

Disclosure to Learners

CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity – including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests).

The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity's planners, faculty, and the reviewer:

Planners and Reviewers

The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

Material Authors

There are no known relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Course Creator

Jennifer Henderson – None to report

Commercial support

There is no commercial support for this distance-learning course.

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