Nutrition Management for Dementia Patients

Jennifer Darby, PT, DPT, GCS, CCN, CPAHA, CEEAA

Online Course

Includes all course content in digital format

Prerequisites Required
2 hours - Provided by Summit Professional Education

Item: physi-VIDEOGDEMJD12CREDIT

Description

Worldwide, 50 million individuals have dementia, with 10 million new cases each year. In the older adult population, dementia is a major cause of dependence and disability. Roughly 50% of caregivers in the United States who care for older adults are providing for individuals with dementia. Nutrition is not what typically comes to mind when people think about dementia. However, nutrition is central to caring for those with dementia. A nutrition program for dementia that considers health, independence, and quality of life can profoundly enhance the lives of those living with dementia. This course will explore nutritional considerations for patients with dementia and other cognitive challenges and present the practitioner ideas that they will be able to incorporate into a comprehensive treatment program.

Highlights

  • Confidently address nutrition and general nutritional recommendations set forth by the FDA
  • Enhance your patient's treatment and recovery by adding a nutritional component to your overall plan of care

Learning Objectives

  1. Compare and contrast etiologic factors and metabolic patterns associated with healthy brain aging and unhealthy brain aging.
  2. Analyze the role of nutrients, cholesterol, and healthy fats in protective brain aging.
  3. Examine how prescription drugs and environmental toxins can affect cognitive function and brain health.
  4. Integrate a healthy meal plan design for patients diagnosed with dementia.

Course Content

Nutrition Management for Dementia Patients
SCORM Package
Next Steps
Module
  1. Nutrition Concerns for Dementia Patients
    1. Types of dementia
      1. Dehydration
      2. Poor appetite
      3. Forgetting to eat (weight loss and malnutrition)
    2. Nutrients Essential for Brain Health
      1. Vitamins and healthy fats
      2. The role of cholesterol
      3. Effects of prescription drugs and environmental toxins
    3. Dementia Prevention
      1. The link between diet and dementia
      2. Incorporating nutrition into the PT, OT and SLP plan of care

Jennifer Darby, PT, DPT, GCS, CCN, CPAHA, CEEAA is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a certified exercise expert for the aging adult, a board-certified geriatric specialist and possesses a certification in allied health administration. Jennifer recently obtained her certification as a clinical nutritionist through the Clinical Nutrition Board. She is the owner of Trinity Physical Therapy in Brewster, NY, an adjunct faculty member at New York Medical College, and a clinical faculty educator for Summit. Jennifer has developed various community-based educational programs in the areas of nutrition and geriatrics. Jennifer obtained her BS in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University in Boston Massachusetts and her doctorate from the University of Montana.


DISCLOSURES

FINANCIAL: Jennifer Darby is compensated by Summit as an instructor. She is the owner of Trinity Physical Therapy in Brewster, NY and an adjunct faculty member at New York Medical College.

NONFINANCIAL: Jennifer Darby has no nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Summit receives financial support for this course from Physitrack

Click here to check accreditation for this course.

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