This training is being offered over Zoom!
The Dementia Spectrum: understanding and managing diverse types of dementia – 6 hours
Offered as an online live training for the Central California Adult Services Training Academy (CCASTA)!
This comprehensive training is designed to equip social services with practical, real-world knowledge for working with individuals experiencing a wide range of neurocognitive disorders. Across six focused one-hour sessions, participants will explore both common and less-recognized dementias—including Alzheimer’s disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, vascular dementia, substance-related conditions, and rare genetic disorders. Each session breaks down key symptoms, progression patterns, and treatment approaches, including the role of medications, while emphasizing actionable strategies for managing behavioral and cognitive challenges.
Grounded in real-world cases and tailored to the unique demands of social services work, this training provides tools to improve communication, strengthen decision-making, and enhance care planning. Attendees will leave with greater confidence in recognizing different dementia presentations and responding effectively in complex, high-stakes situations.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
· Differentiate major types of dementia based on cognitive, behavioral, and functional profiles, including Alzheimer’s disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, vascular dementia, and less common conditions
· Recognize early and advanced symptoms across dementia types and understand typical patterns of progression
· Identify key medical and neurological factors underlying different dementias, including vascular, genetic, and substance-related causes
· Understand current treatment approaches, including the role and limitations of medications across different dementia syndromes
· Apply practical strategies to manage common behavioral challenges such as agitation, impulsivity, psychosis, and communication difficulties
· Adapt communication techniques to improve interactions with individuals experiencing memory loss, language impairment, or reduced insight
· Strengthen decision-making and care planning, including recognizing how different dementias impact capacity and functional abilities
· Recognize red flags for less common dementias, including genetic and rapidly progressive conditions, and know when further evaluation is warranted
This 6 part series, The Dementia Spectrum: Understanding and Managing Diverse Types of Dementia can be provided as a one day training or provided in one hour segments across time. This is a comprehensive training series designed to empower public guardians with the knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of dementia care. Each one-hour session explores a specific type of dementia, delving into its symptoms, progression, and treatment options, including the unique role of medications. The series also emphasizes practical strategies for addressing behavioral and cognitive challenges, providing actionable insights to enhance the quality of care. From Alzheimer’s disease and Frontotemporal Dementia to lesser-known conditions like Huntington’s and substance use-related dementias, this series equips attendees with the expertise to confidently support those living with diverse forms of dementia.
