The Dementias: Hope Through Research (2 credit hours)

Program Summary:  This course explores the different types of dementia and includes an overview of Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal disorders, Lewy body dementia, and vascular dementia.  Causes, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and management are discussed.  The course includes research supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National Institute on Aging.

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, and therapists and is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.

“Book  Open the Course Reading Here.

Readings:  
The Dementias Hope Through Research- published by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Stroke, National Institute on Aging

Alzheimer’s Disease Fact Sheet- published by the National Institute on Aging

Communication strategies from the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/daily-care/communications.

Course Objectives:  To enhance professional practice, values, skills and knowledge by exploring the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

Learning Objectives:  Compare different types of dementia.  Identify risk factors for dementia and cognitive impairment.  Describe diagnosis and treatment options.

Review our pre-reading study guide.

Course Available Until: August 31, 2026.

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1: _____________ is the primary risk factor for developing dementia.
 
 
 
 
2: Which is the most common cause of dementia in older adults?
 
 
 
 
3: Frontotemporal disorders are forms of dementia caused by
 
 
4: One of the most common causes of dementia, after AD and vascular disease is
 
 
 
 
5: The risk for dementia is significantly higher in someone who has had a stroke.
 
 
6: Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal disorders, and Lewy body dementia are proteinopathies because they involve
 
 
 
 
7: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rare brain disorder that is characterized by ___________ progressing dementia.
 
 
8: Most studies suggest that regularly drinking large amounts of alcohol _________ the risk of dementia.
 
 
9: Most drugs for dementia are used to
 
 
10: Many of the medications used to treat the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease __________ the cognitive problems.
 
 
11: Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet: Some of the main features of Alzheimer's include
 
 
 
 
12: Changes in the brain may begin ____________ before symptoms appear.
 
 
 
 
13: People are often diagnosed in this stage.
 
 
 
14: In most cases, Azheimer's
 
 
15: Medications are emerging to
 
 

In order to purchase or take this course, you will need to log in. If you do not have an account, you will need to register for a free account.

After you log in, a link will appear here that will allow you to purchase this course.

G.M. Rydberg-Cox, MSW, LSCSW is the Continuing Education Director at Free State Social Work and responsible for the development of this course.  She received her Masters of Social Work in 1996 from the Jane Addams School of Social Work at the University of Illinois-Chicago and she has over 20 years of experience.  She has lived and worked as a social worker in Chicago, Boston, and Kansas City. She has practiced for many years in the area of hospital/medical social work.  The reading materials for this course were developed by another organization.

Course Available Until: August 31, 2026.
Filed under: Aging, Dementia