Page 57 - Healthy Brain Initiative, State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address Dementia: The 2018-2023 Road Map

UTAH

Training Professionals through Dementia Dialogues

People with Alzheimer’s and other dementias have recipients devise care plans. This type of training for
care needs that are often challenging and demanding. professionals and caregivers helps the state develop a
For example, as dementia progresses, affected more dementia-capable workforce.
persons may have trouble recognizing when they
are unhealthy or not safe; also, they often have Convinced of its value, the Utah Department of Health
problems communicating. Many professionals in (UDOH) initiated Dementia Dialogues training in 2017.
home, community, and long-term care settings have The University of South Carolina prepares a cadre
not received adequate training on how to adjust care of certified individuals who then are able to deliver
for the unique challenges of dementia. As a result, free training in their communities. Those completing
both professionals and unpaid caregivers (especially the training earn a dementia specialist certificate
in rural areas with limited healthcare access) may not and 7.5 continuing education hours. UDOH secured
know how to use behavioral cues and other strategies sponsorships from Gamma Rho Chapter of Sigma
to reduce injuries, avoid medication problems, Theta Tau International, Solstice Home Health &
and keep chronic conditions in check to minimize Hospice, Sunrise Senior Living, University of Utah, and
unnecessary hospitalizations. funeral homes. Area agencies on aging and a local
news radio station assisted with pro bono marketing of
Dementia Dialogues is an evidence-informed training local courses.
to educate professionals working in the community,
caregivers, and family members about dementia. By applying the knowledge and best practices
Developed and tested by the Arnold School of Public embedded in Dementia Dialogues, both professionals
Health, University of South Carolina, Dementia and caregivers can better adapt chronic disease
Dialogues can be cost-effectively delivered throughout management, reduce agitation and difficult behavior
a state, including rural areas. Over the five-session associated with communication problems, and provide
training, participants learn strategies for effective care to help optimize functioning. •
communication, ways to promote independence in
activities of daily living, and mitigating challenging
behaviors. Specifically, they gain skills in recognizing
and using non-verbal cues, giving the care recipient
a routine, responding if the person with dementia
behaves aggressively, and helping caregivers and care Case Studies

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