While patients with dementia pose unique challenges to rehabilitation professionals, the potential benefits from quality therapy is astounding. Having a strong foundational understanding of the available strengths to these patients is crucial in developing a solid treatment plan. These patients present with deficits in attention, judgment, memory, communication, and language, but also have several functions that remain intact through the disease. It is commonly believed that patients with dementia can’t benefit from rehabilitation services. However, current literature has found that this is not case.
Skilled rehabilitation is an integral part of an older adult’s return to the optimal functional level of independence following an injury or illness. Patients with dementia benefit as much from rehabilitation as individuals without dementia, but it is up to us as rehabilitation professionals to understand how to exploit the strengths and abilities of these individuals to help meet their goals.
This course will provide a better understanding of cognitive aging, which parts of cognition are the strongest throughout the progression of dementia, and how to use these abilities to promote a successful episode of care. Barriers to treatment will be addressed along with best practice and evidence-based approaches to overcome these challenges to improve functional outcomes for these patients. The different types of dementia will be discussed, highlighting effective strategies to maximize patient outcomes. Understanding the use of a strength-based approach will be emphasized to help you and your staff better treat this growing group of challenging patients.
What Participants Are Saying . . .
“Great course. I loved all the discussion and real life examples.”
“Instructor kept my attention and kept me engaged…I really appreciated her humor.”
“Lots of knowledge and experience.”
“Amazing speaker…blown away by her energy, knowledge, and passion. These past two days have been so enjoyable.”
1. Implement current evidenced-based interventions and best practices in literature for patients with dementia.
2. Use effective communication strategies and person- centered care to maximize outcomes.
3. Evaluate strengths and domains requiring compensation in patients with dementia
4. Contrast differences between strength-based approach and traditional medical model.
5. Distinguish the different types of dementia and their symptomology.
6. Describe the progression of dementia and appropriate treatment goals for each stage.
7. Recognize potential emotional and behavior disturbances that may impact treatment.
EDUCATIONAL CREDIT: A certificate of attendance for 20 contact hours of educational activity (20 CEUs or 2.0 CEUs depending on how your Practice Act determines CEUs in your state) will be awarded to registrants upon completion of the seminar. Great Seminars and Books is an Approved CE Provider for PTs and PTAs in AR, OK, NY, IL, NC, CA, TX, NM, and KY and this course provides 20 contact hours of continuing education. This course is also approved for PTs and PTAs in LA, NJ, and OK for 20 contact Hours. This course is approved for PTs/ and PTAs by the Florida Physical Therapy Association for 24 Contact hours. FPTA Approval Number: CE23-809298. This course is also approved by the Florida Occupational Therapy Association for OTs and OTAs for 20 Contact Hours. Have applied for approval in MS and MD. Our courses also meet the guidelines for approval in TN, PA, SD, MI, AL, VA, MO, IN, AZ, DE, GA, NH, OR, RI, UT, VT, WY and MO. Courses are accepted for CEUs in NE, ID, MT, WA, CT, IA, and ND. If you do not see your state listed, please give our office a call.
GREAT Seminars is an American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Approved Provider of continuing education (Provider #5363). This course is not approved by ASHA or Board of Certification.
Your tuition may be tax deductible. Any reference to or mention of state rules or regulations concerning continuing education requirements are true and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of print. If you have questions, please contact your board or regulating body.
If you do not see your state listed, please give our office a call at 877 794 7328.
Day 1
7:30 am – Registration and Continental Breakfast Normative Age-Related Cognitive Changes
8:00 am – Normative Age-Related Cognitive Changes
- Age-related structural changes
- Theories of normal cognitive aging
- Age-related functional changes
10:30 am – Break
10:45 am – Atypical Cognitive Changes in Aging
- Comparison of normal aging and dementia
- Differentiation of different types of dementia
- Progression of Dementia
- Global Deterioration Scale
- Functional Staging for Rehabilitative Purposes
- Pharmacological Treatments
12:30 pm – Working Lunch (on your own) – Group Discussion
1:30 pm – Strength-based Approach to Rehabilitation
- Strength-based vs. medical model
- Remaining strengths in dementia
3:30 pm – Break
3:45 pm – Strength-based Approach to Rehabilitation (cont)
- Constructs requiring compensation in dementia
- Components of strength-based approach
- Personhood & person-centered care
6:00 pm – Questions and Answers
6:30 pm – Course Day Adjourns
Day 2
7:30 am – Continental Breakfast
8:00 am – Treatment Strategies to Facilitate Successful Outcomes
- Effective communication strategies
- Behavioral management strategies
10:30am – Break
10:45am – Treatment Strategies (cont)
- Current evidence-based interventions and best practices for individuals with dementia
- Functional documentation for use with interventions
- Documenting progress for individuals with dementia
12:30pm – Working Lunch (on your own) – Group Discussion
1:30pm – Current Research on Dementia
- Updated diagnostic criteria
- Prevention of cognitive decline
3:00pm – Break
3:15pm – Case Studies and Active Learning
6:00pm – Questions and Answers
6:30pm – Course Adjourns
Cancellation/Refund Policy:
By Participants: Participant cancellations must be received in writing at least two weeks prior to the seminar date for tuition refund less a $75 administration fee. NO refunds will be made after this date.
By Great Seminars: In the event that a course is cancelled by Great Seminars and Books, participants will be offered the equivalent number of hours of another live course or a full refund. Great Seminars and Books is not responsible for course related expenses that participants may incur such as transportation including air fare, lodging or meals. It is highly recommended that you obtain refundable travel expenses.
For Mail/Email registrations call us at 877 794 7328 or fill out this registration form and email (greatseminars@aol.com) or mail (Great Seminars, 2639 Revere Drive, Akron, OH, 44333) it to us.
Registration Cost
Toms River, NJ – August 2-3, 2025
Host: Community Medical Center
99 Highway 37 West
Toms River, NJ 08755
Early Bird (thru 6/18/25) = $545
Regular Price (6/19/25 – 7/9/25) = $595
Late Fee (7/10/25 – 8/2/25) = $645
Arlington, VA – December 6-7, 2025
Host: VHC Health Outpatient Pavilion
1851 N. George Mason Drive – Garden Level
Arlington, VA 22207
Early Bird (thru 10/22/25) = $545
Regular Price (10/23/25 – 11/12/25) = $595
Late Fee (11/13/25 – 12/6/25) = $645
Your Instructor
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Nicole Dawson , PT, PhD, GCS |
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