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Directing an Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care UnitAlzheimer’s Association, Greater Indiana Chapter9135 N. Meridian StreetSuite B-4Indianapolis, IN 46260(317) 575-9620(800) 272-3900September, 2004Funded by the Indiana State Department of HealthCo-sponsored by:Indiana Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, Inc. (IAHSA)Indiana Health Care Association (IHCA)Hoosier Owners and Providers for the Elderly (HOPE)Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Indiana ChapterDirecting an Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care Unit1

I am pleased to welcome you to the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Training Program. TheIndiana State Department of Health thanks you for your participation in this important program. Itis our hope that you will gain a better understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and relateddementias and carry back to your health facility new ideas for best care practices.The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Training Program addresses a significant public health needbeing faced by many Indiana families. About 60% of all nursing home residents have dementiawith 60% of dementias caused by Alzheimer’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease combined withvascular disease. There are currently an estimated 106,000 Indiana residents with Alzheimer’sdisease and that number is expected to grow considerably as the population ages.Approximately a third of those residents are cared for in long-term care facilities.Caring for nursing home residents who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease ordementia is often a challenge for health care providers. People with Alzheimer’s disease ordementia have difficulty communicating, learning, thinking, and reasoning. Providing care tothese residents requires patience, compassion, and an understanding of Alzheimer’s anddementia disease processes. Providing this care on a daily basis can be difficult and trying foreven the best caregivers.To address these challenges, in 2004 the Indiana State Department of Health promulgated newrules requiring health facilities to provide training on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care tohealth facility personnel. To promote the implementation of the new rule and assist healthfacilities in the development of quality training programs, the Indiana State Department of Healthfunded this Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Training Program.In developing the program, the Indiana State Department of Health sought the assistance of theAlzheimer’s Association of Greater Indiana. The Alzheimer’s Association is providing theirsignificant expertise to develop, organize, administer, and present eight courses ranging from abasic course on the fundamentals of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia to an advanced courseon directing a dementia special care unit. The program is designed with the intent of reducingdeficient practices at long term care facilities and improving the quality of life and care forresidents with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias living in Indiana long term carefacilities.On behalf of the Indiana State Department of Health and the Alzheimer’s Association of GreaterIndiana, I thank you for choosing to participate in this program and I invite you to attend more ofthe Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Training Program courses offered during the coming year. Iespecially thank the staff of the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Indiana for their efforts inputting this program together. Thanks to their expertise and dedication, I am sure that you willcome away with a better understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. It is our hope thatyou will carry this information back to your facility and implement the best care practicessuggested by this course. Indiana’s senior citizens are a very special group that has madesignificant contributions to our society. Our senior citizens deserve the very best of care and Ihope this program provides a forum for health care providers and experts to share ideas towardsachieving the best of care for our senior citizens.Terry WhitsonAssistant CommissionerHealth Care Regulatory ServicesIndiana State Department of HealthAlzheimer’s Association, Greater Indiana ChapterDirecting an Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care Unit2

The Alzheimer’s Association, founded in 1980, is the only national voluntaryhealth organization dedicated both to research and providing education andsupport. With over 81 chapters nationwide, our vision is a world withoutAlzheimer’s disease. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through theadvancement of research and to enhance quality of care and support forindividuals, their families and caregivers.The Association strongly believes that education enhances the quality of care forthose with Alzheimer’s disease. By providing professional caregivers with theunderstanding, insight and tools necessary to provide the highest level of carethroughout the person with Alzheimer’s disease journey we are helping patient’smaintain dignity and independence for as long as possible.The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Training Program has been designed as a“best practice”. Experts in dementia care, locally and throughout the country,have contributed in the development of this training program. Their expertise,approaches, techniques and personal experiences are woven throughout thecurriculum. Our hope is that each participant will gain a better understanding ofthe disease process, learn how to embrace and implement person centered care,assimilate new communication skills and learn how to work with the feelingsbehind the behaviors. In addition, the most commonly cited deficient practices inIndiana long-term care facilities are also addressed.The Alzheimer’s Association hopes that each participant of the Alzheimer’s andDementia Care Training Program will experience an increased sense ofsatisfaction and reward by putting into practice the techniques learned in thetraining program. Each caregiver has the opportunity to contribute to the creationof a nurturing environment that promotes the highest level of mental, emotionaland physical capacity for those that caregivers serve.In closing, we wish to thank the Indiana State Department of Health, IndianaAssociation of Homes and Services for the Aging, Inc. (IAHSA), Indiana HealthCare Association (IHCA), Hoosier Owners and Providers for the Elderly (HOPE),our staff, volunteers and trainers for their support and assistance in thedevelopment and implementation of the program. Through this collaborativeeffort, we seek to improve the quality of care and quality of life for persons withAlzheimer’s disease in the State of Indiana.Heather Allen HershbergerExecutive DirectorAlzheimer’s Association of Greater IndianaAlzheimer’s Association, Greater Indiana ChapterDirecting an Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care Unit3

ContributorsManual written by:Kate Nicholson, MAEducation and Training CoordinatorAlzheimer’s Association, Greater Indian a ChapterContributions:Barbara WoodRipley Crossing Health Care CenterJohn NiemeyerRipley Crossing Health Care CenterShelia GueninHerrin AssociatesSteve DurninForum at the CrossingSusan CharlesworthCourtney and AssociatesDonna Lacy BeylLacy Beyl & Company, Inc.LaDonna JensenJentle Harts ConsultingTonya CoxAlzheimer’s Association, Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana ChapterDr. Ann HakeIndiana University Alzheimer’s Disease CenterDr. Daniel RexrothIndiana University School of MedicineSharon KennellShareCare ConsultingAlzheimer’s Association, Greater Indiana ChapterDirecting an Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care Unit4

Dementia Specific Training ProgramTrainersBecky Armstead, LPNBecky Armstead is a co-owner of an adult day care in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Shepreviously has been a charge nurse in a dementia unit and an assisted livingcoordinator. Ms. Armstead has presented on dementia, challenging behaviors,and other topics related to dementia care.Rosella Bennett, RNRosella Bennett is currently the Alzheimer’s Care Director for a long-term carefacility in Richmond, Indiana. She has been active in the Alzheimer’s Associationof Greater Indiana as part of the East Central advisory committee and throughpublic policy efforts. Past positions include MDS Patient Coordinator, ChargeNurse, Director of Nursing, and Group Leader. She has presented onchallenging behaviors, programming for dementia care units, andcommunication.Susan Charlesworth, MSWMs. Charlesworth is a consultant in social services and activities for a companyin Indianapolis, Indiana. She has presented on dementia care, resident rights,behavior management, MDS, activities, and social services. She holds a masterof social work from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Science in educationfrom Butler University. She is a member of the Indiana Society for Social WorkLeadership in Health Care.Shawn Fingerle, MS, MBA, LCSWShawn Fingerle is currently a professional healthcare representative in the longterm care division of a pharmaceutical manufacturer. In previous positions, hehas directed two psychiatric hospitals, been the administrator for home careservices, and directed outpatient and diagnostic services. Mr. Fingerle haspresented on topics such as treatment of depression and anxiety disorders,treatment of neuropathic pain, and general psychology courses. He is also onthe Fort Wayne Advisory Committee for the Alzheimer’s Association.Debra Guy, ASDebra Guy is a volunteer coordinator for a hospice company in Fort Wayne,Indiana. She has led a variety of trainings in the past, including end of life care,hospice, psychosocial and spiritual dynamics, culture/religion and grief, handlingpersonal stress, communication, and physical and social aspects of the dyingpatient.Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Indiana ChapterDirecting an Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care Unit5