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Chapters

This textbook is organized into 15 chapters covering 200 concepts.

Chapter Overview

  1. Introduction to Dementia and Cognitive Health - This chapter establishes foundational understanding of dementia, cognitive health, normal aging, and basic cognitive processes that form the basis for all subsequent learning.
  2. Brain Anatomy and Function - This chapter explores brain structure including the cerebral cortex, lobes, neurons, neurotransmitters, synapses, and neural networks that underlie cognitive function.
  3. Understanding Different Types of Dementia - This chapter introduces Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and other less common dementia types.
  4. The Neuroscience of Neurodegeneration - This chapter examines the pathological mechanisms including amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, tau protein, beta-amyloid, alpha-synuclein, and other neurodegenerative processes.
  5. Signs, Symptoms, and Early Recognition - This chapter covers memory loss, confusion, disorientation, language difficulties, judgment impairment, visual-spatial problems, apraxia, agnosia, aphasia, and mild cognitive impairment.
  6. Progression Through Dementia Stages - This chapter describes personality changes, behavioral changes, mood changes, and the progression through early-stage, moderate-stage, and late-stage dementia.
  7. Managing Challenging Behaviors - This chapter addresses sundowning, wandering, agitation, aggression, hallucinations, delusions, repetitive behaviors, sleep disturbances, and catastrophic reactions.
  8. Diagnosis and Assessment - This chapter covers cognitive assessment tools, brain imaging techniques, blood tests, neurological examination, differential diagnosis, biomarkers, genetic testing, and functional assessment.
  9. Medical Treatments and Medications - This chapter explains cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, and specific medications like donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, plus symptom management and clinical trials.
  10. Therapeutic Interventions - This chapter covers cognitive stimulation therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, music therapy, art therapy, reminiscence therapy, validation therapy, reality orientation, sensory stimulation, pet therapy, aromatherapy, and massage therapy.
  11. Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies - This chapter examines age-related risk, genetic factors, APOE gene, family history, cardiovascular health factors, physical exercise, mental stimulation, social engagement, Mediterranean diet, brain-healthy lifestyle, and smoking cessation.
  12. Daily Living and Caregiving Skills - This chapter provides practical guidance on activities of daily living, personal hygiene, bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, mobility assistance, transfer techniques, sleep hygiene, daily routines, meal planning, nutrition, hydration, dental care, grooming, incontinence management, skin care, positioning, comfort measures, and dignity preservation.
  13. Communication Techniques - This chapter teaches verbal communication, non-verbal communication, active listening, simple language, visual cues, patience, validation techniques, redirection, communication boards, and body language.
  14. Safety and Home Modifications - This chapter covers fall prevention, home safety assessment, grab bars, non-slip flooring, adequate lighting, door locks, stove safety, medication management, emergency preparedness, and medical alert systems.
  15. Legal, Financial, and Support Resources - This chapter addresses power of attorney, healthcare proxy, living will, advance directives, guardianship, conservatorship, estate planning, Medicaid planning, Medicare coverage, long-term care insurance, healthcare team coordination, grief, anticipatory grief, caregiver burden, stress management, support groups, home care services, adult day care, assisted living, memory care units, nursing homes, Alzheimer's Association, Area Agency on Aging, GPS tracking devices, medication reminders, and telehealth.

How to Use This Textbook

Progress through the chapters sequentially for the best learning experience. The chapters are carefully ordered to respect concept dependencies, ensuring that foundational knowledge is established before building to more complex topics. Early chapters introduce essential brain anatomy and dementia fundamentals, middle chapters cover diagnosis and treatment, and later chapters focus on practical caregiving skills and support resources.

Note: Each chapter includes a list of concepts covered. Make sure to complete prerequisites before moving to advanced chapters.