Dementia Unpacked: Practical Observations and Interventions - Alexis Olson, PhD, Justin Gauthier, PhD, & Erik Lande, PhD

Most people are familiar with the term dementia. They also tend to view those affected by this condition as largely similar in disease presentation and progression.  However, there are a variety of types of dementia that can have different challenges and issues. We will review a variety of neurodegenerative diseases and conditions, to gain a greater understanding of the issues unique to each type of dementia.  Further, signs and symptoms of dementia are commonly misattributed to “normal aging” or psychiatric conditions, errors which result in missed opportunities for effective treatment and intervention. In following, we will identify guide posts that help distinguish these signs and symptoms of dementia from other conditions, leading to more targeted interventions and education.

In this workshop, we will provide an overview of different types of dementia and their prevalence, practice in administering a basic screening measure of dementia, and an explanation of how neuropsychological assessment can improve diagnostic clarity and inform intervention efforts. A focus of this workshop will be on practical strategies of observation and intervention across the disease process.