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Dementia, Cognitive Impairment & Therapeutic Communication

Course Overview

Course Outline

Module 1 — Understanding Dementia and Cognitive Impairment

Lesson 1.1 — Course Introduction and How to Use This Course

🔒Lesson 1.2 — Normal Aging vs. Cognitive Change: What’s the Difference?Complete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 1.3 — What is Dementia?Complete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 1.4 — Common Types of Dementia — a CNA OverviewComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 1.5 — Alzheimer’s Disease — Stages and What to ExpectComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 1.6 — Changes in Memory, Judgment, and CommunicationComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 1.7 — The CNA’s Role in Dementia CareComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Interactive Activity 1.7A — Normal or Concerning?Complete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Clinical Scenario 1.8 — Mrs. WashingtonComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Quiz/Exam: Module 1 Knowledge CheckComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Module 2 — Person-centered Care and Therapeutic CommunicationComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 2.1 — What is Person-centered Care?Complete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 2.2 — Knowing the Resident: History, Preferences, Routines, CultureComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 2.3 — Preserving Dignity and AutonomyComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 2.4 — Promoting Independence in Daily ActivitiesComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 2.5 — Therapeutic Communication — the BasicsComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 2.6 — Therapeutic Communication — Advanced StrategiesComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 2.7 — Nonverbal Communication and EnvironmentComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Interactive Activity 2.7A — Which Response is Most Therapeutic?Complete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Clinical Scenario 2.8 — Mr. ReyesComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Quiz/Exam: Module 2 Knowledge CheckComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Module 3 — Behavioral Expressions and Safety in Dementia CareComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 3.1 — Understanding Behavioral Expressions in DementiaComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 3.2 — The ABC Model: a Tool for Understanding BehaviorComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 3.3 — Common Behavioral Expressions: Agitation and Resistance to CareComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 3.4 — Common Behavioral Expressions: Wandering, Sundowning, and Repetitive BehaviorsComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 3.5 — Non-pharmacological Interventions: First-line ResponsesComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 3.6 — Safety Considerations in Dementia CareComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 3.7 — Documenting and Reporting Behavioral ObservationsComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Interactive Activity 3.7A — What Would You Do?Complete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Clinical Scenario 3.8 — Mrs. KimComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Quiz/Exam: Module 3 Knowledge CheckComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Module 4 — Acute Changes, Reporting, and CNA ResponsibilitiesComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 4.1 — Why Acute Changes Are a Special Concern in DementiaComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 4.2 — Delirium vs. Dementia: the CNA’s Role in Recognizing the DifferenceComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 4.3 — Common Medical Issues That Present As Behavioral ChangeComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 4.4 — Recognizing Acute Change: What to Observe and ReportComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 4.5 — Documentation Obligations: Accuracy, Timeliness, and Professional ResponsibilityComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 4.6 — End-of-life Care and Dementia: the CNA’s RoleComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Lesson 4.7 — CNA Well-being and Self-care in Dementia CaregivingComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Interactive Activity 4.7A — Recognize, Respond, ReportComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Clinical Scenario 4.8 — Mr. ThomasComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Quiz/Exam: Module 4 Knowledge CheckComplete the previous required step to unlock.

🔒Final Quiz/Exam: Final ExaminationComplete the previous required step to unlock.

Topic

Lesson 1.1 — Course Introduction and How to Use This Course

Welcome

This course was developed for California Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs) working in skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, and long-term care settings. If you are caring for residents with dementia or cognitive impairment — and most CNAs are, every single day — this course is designed to give you practical tools you can use at work starting tomorrow.

By the time you finish, you will have a clearer picture of what dementia is, how to communicate therapeutically with residents who have it, how to understand and respond to behavioral expressions, when an urgent change may signal a medical emergency, and how to protect residents’ rights and dignity.

How This Course is Organized

This course has four modules. Each module is divided into individual lessons. You will complete the lessons in order, and a short knowledge check will appear at the end of each module. After completing all four modules and 200 minutes of active learning, you will take a final exam to earn your certificate.

Module 1: Understanding Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Module 2: Person-Centered Care and Therapeutic Communication Module 3: Behavioral Expressions, Unmet Needs, and Safety Module 4: Acute Changes, Reporting, and Professional Responsibilities

What You Will See Throughout the Course

Throughout the lessons, look for these special markers:

► CNA ACTION — Something specific you should do on the job ⚠ SAFETY — A safety issue to know about 📋 REPORT PROMPTLY — Something to report to the charge nurse right away 💡 REMEMBER — A key point to carry with you

CNA Scope — a Reminder Before We Start

This course is for CNAs, not physicians, nurses, or other licensed clinicians. Throughout the course, you will see this important principle:

Your role is to OBSERVE → PROTECT → PERFORM AUTHORIZED CARE → DOCUMENT AS PERMITTED → REPORT.

CNAs do not diagnose dementia, assess residents clinically, prescribe treatments, or change care plans independently. What you DO is absolutely essential: you spend more time with residents than almost any other member of the care team, and your observations and reports make it possible for licensed staff to provide the right care at the right time.

Your observations matter more than you may realize. Let’s begin.