Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Care Education Week

Every year since 2007, the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP) dedicates a week in February to raising awareness about Alzheimer’s and dementia while educating caregivers on the best practices while caring for patients with these conditions. This 2023, February 14 to 21, is Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Education Week.

The importance of awareness and education

According to the NCCDP, there are no national standards for dementia education. Regulations differ from state to state. However, the overall recommendation is that all staff have at least eight hours of dementia education, and it also recommends certification to all caregivers who qualify as Certified Dementia Practitioners (CDP). It also suggests that there be at least one CDP per work shift.

What is dementia?

Dementia is characterized by progressive or persistent loss of intellectual functioning, especially with impairment of memory and abstract thinking, and often with personality change resulting from organic disease of the brain. It covers many specific conditions, including widely known Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and more. These disorders, caused by abnormal brain changes, trigger a decline in cognitive abilities and often severely impact daily life.

Although seen more frequently in older adults, dementia is not a normal part of aging. Some identified causes of dementia may include progressive brain cell death, head injury, stroke, brain tumor, and others.

According to recent studies, an estimated 47.5 million people have dementia worldwide, and a new case is diagnosed every four seconds.

Be aware

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, some signs and symptoms that could indicate the onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s may include:

How to observe Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Education Week

This week, organizations across the country provide educational support for staff members and families. Some of the ways to participate include:

At Signature Health Services, we take our commitment to a healthy community to the next level. We are always keen to improve the education and certifications of our excellent team of registered nurses and licensed therapists.