LAI306 - Tackling Loneliness and Social Isolation for Residents with Dementia

Caregivers and nursing home staff play a pivotal role in minimizing social isolation, loneliness, depression, and behaviors in persons with dementia.  Isolation does not need to equal decline!  This session will review practical and cost-effective strategies care providers can implement to impact these areas. 

Presented on February 18, 2021

During normal times, individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are among the most vulnerable persons in society, depending on family or professional caregivers for their day-to-day survival.  The current pandemic further exacerbates their vulnerability, due to both the morbidity and mortality from COVID-19, and the indirect effects of the pandemic on the social supports upon which they depend.  For those who have Alzheimer’s or dementia, social connection means everything and social distancing is a difficult concept for them to understand; persons with dementia are disproportionately affected by social distancing, isolation and lockdown. 

How can we help?  Caregivers and nursing home staff play a pivotal role in minimizing social isolation, loneliness, depression, and behaviors in persons with dementia.  Isolation does not need to equal decline!  This session will review practical and cost-effective strategies care providers can implement to impact these areas.  Following the framework of person-centered care, providers will hear about meaningful and purposeful activity, sensory, technology, and wellness strategies they can implement to mitigate the potentially harmful effects of isolation. 

Objectives

• Describe the scope of the problem related to isolation for residents with dementia.
• Identify practical approaches to implement person-centered care initiatives while in isolation.
• Enumerate ways to enhance social connectedness while in isolation.
• Explain how elements of person-centered approach can minimize behaviors and enhance functional performance while in isolation.

Faculty

Kathleen Weissberg, MS, OTD, OTR/L, CMDCP, CDP, National Director of Education, Select Rehabilitation

Who Should Attend
Administrators, Social Workers, Activities, DONs, ADONs, Nursing Staff, Unit Managers, Caregivers, and Staff Educators.  Appropriate for nursing home, assisted living, home and community based services and adult day providers.

Continuing Education Credit
Nursing Home Administrators – This session is intended to meet the criteria established by the Iowa Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators for 1 contact hour for each webinar.  You must attend the entire session to receive credit.  No partial credit allowed.  Retain certificate for four years.

Iowa Board of Nursing Provider #67 – 1 contact hour for each webinar.  Providership regulations do not allow for partial credit to be given for any portion of this program.  You must attend the entire session to receive credit.  Retain certificate for four years.

Social Workers – 1 contact hour.  This program is intended to meet the criteria established by the Iowa Board of Social Work Examiners.  If audited, you will be asked to provide your certificate of attendance and program material.  You must attend the entire session to receive credit.  Retain certificate for four years.

Assisted Living Leadership Recertification – 1 contact hour.  You must attend the entire session to receive credit. 

Registration Information
This program recording is approximately 60 minutes in length. Registration fees include access to the recording and handouts for this program, as well as a CEU/attendance certificate for one user. Once you purchase the program, unlimited viewing of the recording content will be available using the registrant login information for 30 days.