Webinar Series: Geriatric-Competent Care - Caring for Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease

Event date: - Wednesday, Aug 12, 2015

The American Geriatrics Society in collaboration with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office Integrated Care Resource Center, The Lewin Group, and Community Catalyst; invite you to attend the webinar series: Geriatric-Competent Care - Caring for Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease.

The first webinar, Presentation and Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease, will take place on August 5th from 12:00 to 1:30pm EDT. The second webinar, After the Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease: Preparing the Patient and Caregivers, will take place on August 12th from 12:00 to 1:30pm EDT.

Interested participants are encouraged to register here! These webinars are designed to help health professionals in all settings and disciplines expand their knowledge and skills in the unique aspects of caring for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and in working with their caregivers.  Registration will be limited. Continuing Medical Education/Continuing Education credit is available for these webinars (see details at bottom).

Webinar 1: Presentation and Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease
Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Time: 12:00pm to 1:30pm EDT
Call: (866) 216-6835
Participant Access Code: 246892
To Register, Click Here!

This webinar presents core competencies needed for the assessment and diagnosis of cognitive impairment in older adults. Primary care providers can, in most cases, accurately assess cognitive changes. Common clinical case presentations of memory problems are subtle in onset with a lack of patient awareness. Normal age-related changes in memory may be misdiagnosed as dementia. The prevalence of dementia in late life is age-related, increasing particularly after age 85. The different causes of dementia include vascular disease and Lewy body dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) the most common cause for late-life progressive cognitive decline. The assessment process includes a careful history, physical examination, functional, cognitive, and social/economic assessments, and selected laboratory and radiological tests. Effectively communicating the diagnosis to patients and their family/caregivers is a critical part of the diagnostic process.

Featured Speakers:

• Irene Moore, MSW, LISW-S, AGSF, Professor of Family and Community Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
• Chris Callahan, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine, Indiana University; Director of Indiana University Center for Aging Research
• Elizabeth Galik, PhD, CRNP, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, University of Maryland; Robert Wood Johnson Nurse Faculty Scholar
• Carol Regan (Moderator), Senior Advisor, Community Catalyst

Webinar 2: After the Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease: Preparing the Patient and Caregivers
Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Time: 12:00pm to 1:30pm EDT
Call: (866) 216-6835
Participant Access Code: 911038
To Register, Click Here!

This webinar presents core competencies in delivering primary care to individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or related dementias.  The clinical presentation of AD and the rate of progression varies among affected individuals, but early-, middle-, and late-stage disease result in distinctive symptoms, and challenges for the affected individual, family/caregivers, and the clinical team.  The overall goal of a patient-centered treatment plan is to enhance quality-of-life; maximize functional ability; and maintain or improve cognition, mood, and behavior.  Attention to the living/support environment, financial and legal planning, and safety are critical.  Careful use of cognitive enhancing medications and antidepressants can be helpful.  Family/caregiver support is as important as the care provided to the affected individual.  Local chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association are valuable resources for families and clinical providers.  Many localities have extensive home and community-based services available to those with AD and their caregivers.  Innovative, team-based care models are demonstrating improved outcomes for those with AD and their families.

Featured Speakers:

• Robert Schreiber, MD, Medical Director of Evidence-based Programs; Hebrew SeniorLife Department of Medicine;  Medical Director of the Healthy Living Center of Excellence;  Clinical Instructor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
• Lisa Gwyther, MSW, LCSW, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Director, Alzheimer’s Family Support Program, Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University
• Debra L. Cherry, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Alzheimer's Association California Southland, Los Angeles
• Carol Regan (Moderator), Senior Advisor, Community Catalyst

After each presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions and participate in a practical discussion.

This series is developed by the American Geriatrics Society in collaboration with Community Catalyst and The Lewin Group, and is hosted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office Integrated Care Resource Center.

Please contact RIC@lewin.com with any questions.

CME/CE credit information:

Accreditation - The American Geriatrics Society is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Continuing Medical Education - The American Geriatrics Society designates this live educational activity for a maximum of 1 hour of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) TM. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

National Association of Social Workers - This activity is pending approval from the National Association of Social Workers for a maximum of 1 hour of Continuing Education (CE) credit.

PLEASE NOTE: 

• Webinar participants seeking CME/CE credit should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 
• A score of at least 80 percent on the post-test must be achieved in order to obtain CME/CE credit.
• CME/CE certificates will be emailed approximately 4 to 8 weeks after the post-test is completed. 
• Estimated Time to participate in the Webinar:  1.5 hours including introductory information and interactive Q&A.
• The participant should, in order: