New Learning Programs in Cognitive Vitality, Alzheimer's Disease, and Related Dementias

Abstract

As the population continues to age there remains an unmet need in preventing, identifying, treating, and managing mental/behavioral health problems among older adults. The purpose of this paper is to describe educational and training programs offered through three Geriatric Education Centers: (1) the Meharry Consortium Geriatric Education Center, which offers a certificate program on Cognitive Vitality dispelling myths that dementias are part of the normal aging process, (2) the Harvard Upper New England Geriatric Education Center, which offers a self-study web-based learning module on Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias, and (3) the South Carolina Geriatric Education Center, which has developed multi-use and train-the-trainer programs for counseling drivers with dementia and communicating effectively with cognitively impaired older adults. The programs together begin to address the wide range of mental health issues clinicians may encounter in older adult health care delivery and the ways in which Geriatric Education Centers help to prepare an educated workforce.

The Influence of Some Neuropsychological Diseases on the Environmental Education Ability of Residents – Review

“…Research that dealt with aspects of education for late-life dementia and Alzheimer's patients was published by Kovacich et al [41]. McDowell et al then deal with sessions and educational opportunities for patients affected by dementia [42].…”

The Concept of Cognitive Vitality: Analysis and Clinical and Research Implications

“…Copy@ Boniface Harerimana Besides the inconsistency in defining attributes, cognitive vitality as a concept varies across disciplines. For instance, in gerontology, cognitive vitality is used to denote the maintenance of cognitive functioning that enables the elderly to adapt to brain changes with aging and to sustain their well-being within their living environment [14][15][16]. However, in neurobiology, it is used to refer to either cognitive health or an absence of cognitive decline, i.e.…”

“…A review of gerontology evidence by [16] demonstrated that the importance of lifestyle choices in protecting cognitive vitality [16] found diet rich in E vitamins and mental exercise, such as that keeps the mind active exert a protective effect on cognitive vitality.…”