The Alzheimer’s Project CME Series
Because of an inadequate number of neurologists, psychiatrists, and geriatricians serving an increasing population of seniors with cognitive decline, most dementias will be diagnosed and managed by primary care practitioners. The Doctors Company is pleased to partner with Champions for Health to offer The Alzheimer’s Project, an on-demand CME series that trains primary care physicians and other healthcare practitioners on standardized screening, evaluation, and management of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. You are encouraged to take all the courses in the sequence presented.
Alzheimer’s 1: Screening for Dementia Among Adults with Cognitive Decline [1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, 1.25 Contact Hours (ANCC)]
This activity is the first in a series of eight courses that seek to educate clinicians on standardized screening, evaluation, and disease management of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. This first course focuses on introducing the Alzheimer’s Project and highlighting the increasingly important role of practitioners in dementia care. The course also introduces the Alzheimer’s Project cognitive impairment screening algorithm and screening instruments and covers addressing reversible conditions that may present similar symptoms to cognitive impairment.
Alzheimer’s 2: Evaluation and Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias [1.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, 1.75 Contact Hours (ANCC)]
This activity is the second in a series of eight courses that seek to educate clinicians on standardized screening, evaluation, and disease management of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. This second course includes video lectures and introduces the Alzheimer’s project evaluation algorithm and evaluation instruments with a focus on differential diagnoses. Finally, the course discusses how to prepare and engage in a sensitive dementia diagnosis disclosure with patients and caregivers.
Alzheimer’s 3: Addressing and Managing Behavioral and Environmental Symptoms of Dementia [1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, 1.75 Contact Hours (ANCC)]
This activity is the third in a series of eight courses that seek to educate clinicians on standardized screening, evaluation, and disease management of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. This third course focuses on using the DICE method to assess behavioral symptoms of dementia and create and evaluate treatment plans. This course also covers the careful use of medication during disease management and common behavioral issues with dementia patients including tools for management of these behaviors.
Alzheimer’s 4: Addressing Patients’ and Families’ Needs through the Disease Stages of Dementia [2.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, 2.00 Contact Hours (ANCC)]
This is the fourth session in an eight-part educational series that focuses on standardized screening, evaluation, and disease management of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. This course covers life planning throughout disease stages, assessing and assisting caregivers, enhancing communications, utilizing community resources, and end-of-life decision-making. It addresses sensitive conversations with patients, families, and caregivers.
Alzheimer’s 5: Use of Pharmacotherapy for Patients with Major Neurocognitive Disorder [1.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, 1.75 Contact Hours (ANCC)]
This activity includes video lectures and is the fifth in a series of courses that seek to educate clinicians on standardized screening, evaluation, and disease management of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. This fifth course focuses on the most frequently used and FDA-approved prescription medications for Alzheimer's disease and dementias, the current research regarding its use, and guidelines for prescribing and discontinuing medication. The program will incorporate cultural values and beliefs when creating and sharing the pharmacological care plan.
Alzheimer’s 6: Pharmacological Management of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia [1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, 1.50 Contact Hours (ANCC)]
Join our self-paced educational program to learn to distinguish dementia symptoms from other psychiatric issues and treat them with pharmacological interventions. Improve recognition of behavioral problems in Alzheimer's and dementia patients, use the DICE psycho-behavioral model for medication decisions, and create treatment plans with behavioral and pharmacological strategies to refine your best practices for individuals with dementia.
Alzheimer’s 7: Questions and Answers—What Physicians Ask About Diagnosing and Treating Dementia [1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, 1.50 Contact Hours (ANCC)]
This course focuses on the common concerns and questions expressed by clinicians about dementia and cognitive impairment. Practitioners will learn more about making the initial observation of cognitive decline and beginning a conversation with older adult patients, overcoming common barriers to making a definitive diagnosis of dementia, and managing the ongoing clinical needs of patients experiencing dementia. Experienced clinicians engage in conversation on how they handle delicate and difficult conversations with patients and their family members. Program participants will become knowledgeable of warning signs of dementia, gain proficiency in screening and evaluating adults for cognitive deficits, confidently disclose a diagnosis of dementia, and communicate next steps to patients and family caregivers, including safety issues, medications, and community resources.
Alzheimer's 8: Dementia Update for PCPs: Disease-Modifying Medications Risks and Benefits [1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, 1.50 Contact Hours (ANCC)]
A panel of dementia specialists provide up-to-date information on new disease-modifying medications receiving FDA approval, but with specific candidate criteria. Practitioners will learn how these medications work, which of their patients may benefit, how to identify and address risks, and how to effectively communicate with patients and family members.