DEMENTIA CARE
DMC 1000
40 Contact Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

The Dementia Care Course is a 40 hours course that is dedicated to the training and education of those caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.  The course includes an overview of the different types of dementia, recognizing signs and symptoms, and basic principles of dementia care. The daily care of dementia individuals, common behavioral problems associated with dementia, as well as the best strategies and approaches for dealing with these problems are presented.  The course also reviews common medical problems, strategies for coping with dementia, and the importance of caring for the caregiver.   

 

Each of the 10 Modules includes four major headings: Introduction, Objectives, Content, and Assignments.  The content is presented utilizing handouts, power point presentations, video clips, real-life scenarios, a computer disc with interactive exercises, videos, and pre- and post-tests.

 

Course Objectives:

After you have completed this course, you will be able to:
  • To understand the normal aging process and the different types and causes of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
  • To understand the basic principles of dementia care
  • To understand how to assist with the daily care needs of the dementia client, such as oral care, bathing, dressing, and toileting
  • To better understand the nutritional challenges of a client with dementia
  • To better understand the types of behavioral problems and how to manage them effectively
  • To better understand how to manage activities for the cognitively impaired client
  • To better understand the normal aging process and medical problems associated with dementia
  • To better understand how to assist the client and family in coping with dementia
  • To educate the caregiver on the importance of maintaining a healthy and supportive environment
  • To understand the legal and ethical issues involved in the care of dementia clients

 

 

Prerequisites and Corequisites:

No course prerequisites.

 

Course Topics:

Each lesson (module) is designed to build on preceding lessons and lead to future lessons. You are encouraged to complete the modules in the sequence listed and to set a reasonable schedule for yourself and to stick to it. To complete the course easily within the 10 week time-frame it is recommended that you complete one lesson (module) each week.

 

The sequence of course modules and their topics is listed below. 

 

 

Dementia Care Course Outline

 

Module 1-  Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Types of  Dementia

 

Module 2 - Basic Approaches to Dementia Care

 

Module 3 – Daily Care

 

Module 4 – Nutritional and Related Challenges

 

Module 5 – Types of Behavioral Problems

 

Module 6 – Managing Behavioral Problems

 

Module 7 – Recreation and Activities

 

Module 8 – Common Medical problems

 

Module 9 – Caring for the Caregiver

 

Module 10 – Legal and Ethical Issues

 

Specific Course Requirements:

Basic computer skills with internet access, a CD-ROM drive, and be able to use Windows 98 or above.

 

 

 

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

 

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course:
http://rodp.bkstr.com

 

Supplementary Materials:

None required.

 

Hardware Requirements:

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.

 Specific hardware requirements for this course include...CD ROM Drive

Software Requirements:

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.

 

Specific software requirements for this course include- Real Player, Media Player, Acrobat Reader, Microsoft Office,

 

Instructor Information

Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.

 

 

Assessment and Grading

Testing Procedures:

Quizzes and Tests are taken online and may only be accessed only once for the testing process. Once you begin the test, you will not be allowed to stop taking the assessment and come back to the quiz/test. You may have a limited time to complete the quiz/test. The Instructor will determine the amount of time designated for each quiz/test.  You must not refresh the page to restart the clock to resubmit your test results.

Grading Procedure:

Each student must successfully complete the required coursework, assignments, discussions, and pre-and post-tests.  A final grade average of 80 is required for satisfactory completion of the course.

Module Assignments =    40%

Projects/Discussions =    20%

Module Quizzes =            40%  

Final Grade Average =   100%

Most Assignments include Reviews / Case Study Questions, as well as short written assignments or projects.  However, the Module Assignments may include any combination of the following:

·         Module Review Questions

·         Module Pre-Tests and Post-Tests

·         Case Study Questions

·         Written Assignments / Projects

·         Threaded Discussions

 

Grading Scale

The letter grade scale is as follows:

A  -  100-93

B  -   92-85

C -    84-77

D -    76-70

F -     69-0

 

 

Assignments and Participation

Assignments and Projects:

 

Assignments/Projects/Tests

 Module 1  – Assignment –Pre-Test - Quiz                       

 Module 2  – Assignment –Pre-Test - Quiz                       

 Module 3  – Assignment –Pre-Test - Quiz                      

 Module 4  – Assignment –Pre-Test - Quiz

 Module 5  – Assignment –Pre-Test - Quiz

 Module 6  – Assignment –Pre-Test - Quiz

 Module 7  – Assignment –Pre-Test -  Quiz

 Module 8  – Assignment –Pre-Test -  Quiz

 Module 9  – Assignment –Pre-Test - Quiz

Module 10 – Assignment –Pre-Test -  Quiz

 

 

 

 

 

Class Participation:

Students are required to participate in all interactive aspects of the course.  Students are expected to communicate with the instructor via email as a learning resource. Students must check the course bulletin board frequently for announcements, and students must actively participate in threaded discussion events.  Threaded discussion events will be held on a weekly basis.

Punctuality:

One of the great advantages of an online course is that it allows you to access your assignments, quizzes, submit assignments, and correspond with other students and instructors at any time of day or night—in the comfort of your own home. This advantage can, however, turn into a liability if you allow yourself to get behind. To stay on schedule it is important that you complete two lessons (modules) each week. It is important to submit assignments in a timely manner and all Quizzes and Unit Tests must be submitted within the assigned timeframe.

 

 

 

Course Ground Rules

 

Students are expected to communicate with other students in team projects, learn how to navigate in D2L, and keep abreast of course announcements; students must communicate within the course email system rather than a personal e-mail address; students should address technical problems immediately; students must observe course netiquette at all times. 

 

Guidelines for Communications

Email:
  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussion Groups:
  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

 

Chat:
  • Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
  • Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
  • Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.
  • Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
  • Be constructive in your comments and suggestion

Web Resources:

·         www.Alz.org

 

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses.

 

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

 

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

 

Technical Support

Telephone Support:

If you are having problems logging into your course, timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other technical problems, please contact the AskRODP Help Desk by calling                                1-866-550-7637 (toll free)

or go to the AskRODP website at:

                                             http://help.rodp.org