Concept Taxonomy¶
This document defines the categorical taxonomy for organizing the 200 concepts in the dementia guidebook learning graph.
Taxonomy Categories¶
1. FOUND - Foundation Concepts¶
TaxonomyID: FOUND
Description: Foundational concepts that form the basis for understanding dementia, including basic brain anatomy, cognition, memory, and normal aging processes.
Typical Concepts: Brain, neurons, cognition, memory, normal aging, perception, attention, learning, executive function, brain lobes.
2. NEURO - Neuroscience¶
TaxonomyID: NEURO
Description: Neuroscience concepts including brain structure, neural processes, neurotransmitters, neuroplasticity, and neurodegeneration mechanisms.
Typical Concepts: Neurotransmitters, synapses, neural networks, neuroplasticity, neurodegeneration, gray matter, white matter, specific brain proteins.
3. DTYPE - Dementia Types¶
TaxonomyID: DTYPE
Description: Specific types and subtypes of dementia, their pathological markers, and distinguishing characteristics.
Typical Concepts: Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, mixed dementia, amyloid plaques, tau protein, alpha-synuclein.
4. SYMPT - Symptoms & Stages¶
TaxonomyID: SYMPT
Description: Signs, symptoms, behavioral manifestations, and progressive stages of dementia.
Typical Concepts: Memory loss, confusion, disorientation, language difficulties, behavioral changes, early/moderate/late stage dementia, sundowning, wandering, agitation.
5. DIAG - Diagnosis & Assessment¶
TaxonomyID: DIAG
Description: Diagnostic tools, assessments, tests, imaging techniques, and differential diagnosis processes.
Typical Concepts: Cognitive assessment, MMSE, MoCA, brain imaging, MRI, CT, PET scans, blood tests, neurological examination, differential diagnosis.
6. TREAT - Treatment & Therapies¶
TaxonomyID: TREAT
Description: Medical treatments, medications, and therapeutic interventions for dementia.
Typical Concepts: Cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, specific medications, cognitive stimulation therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, music therapy, art therapy.
7. PREV - Risk Factors & Prevention¶
TaxonomyID: PREV
Description: Risk factors, protective factors, prevention strategies, and brain-healthy lifestyle practices.
Typical Concepts: Age-related risk, genetic factors, cardiovascular health, physical exercise, mental stimulation, social engagement, Mediterranean diet, brain-healthy lifestyle.
8. CARE - Daily Living & Caregiving¶
TaxonomyID: CARE
Description: Activities of daily living, personal care, caregiving tasks, nutrition, hygiene, and comfort measures.
Typical Concepts: Activities of daily living, personal hygiene, bathing assistance, feeding strategies, mobility assistance, meal planning, nutrition management, comfort measures.
9. COMM - Communication¶
TaxonomyID: COMM
Description: Communication techniques, strategies, and tools for interacting with dementia patients.
Typical Concepts: Verbal communication, non-verbal communication, active listening, simple language, visual cues, validation techniques, redirection, communication boards.
10. SAFE - Safety & Home Modifications¶
TaxonomyID: SAFE
Description: Safety measures, fall prevention, home modifications, medication management, and emergency preparedness.
Typical Concepts: Fall prevention, home safety assessment, grab bars, adequate lighting, door locks, stove safety, medication management, emergency preparedness, medical alert systems.
11. LEGAL - Legal & Financial Planning¶
TaxonomyID: LEGAL
Description: Legal documentation, financial planning, healthcare decision-making, and insurance matters.
Typical Concepts: Power of attorney, healthcare proxy, living will, advance directives, guardianship, estate planning, Medicaid planning, Medicare coverage, long-term care insurance.
12. SUPP - Support & Resources¶
TaxonomyID: SUPP
Description: Healthcare navigation, emotional support, caregiver resources, long-term care options, community resources, and technology aids.
Typical Concepts: Healthcare team, care coordination, grief, caregiver burden, stress management, support groups, home care services, assisted living, memory care units, Alzheimer's Association, telehealth, GPS tracking.
Design Principles¶
- Even Distribution: Categories designed to distribute ~15-20 concepts each across 200 total concepts
- Clear Boundaries: Each category has distinct scope to minimize ambiguity
- Pedagogical Grouping: Categories reflect natural learning modules and topic areas
- Practical Organization: Aligns with the 20-module structure of the course description
Usage Notes¶
- Concepts assigned to best-fit category based on primary focus
- Some concepts may have secondary relevance to other categories
- MISC category available for concepts without clear categorization
- Color coding in visualization will help distinguish categories
Taxonomy created: 2026-01-26 Version: 1.0