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Alzheimer's: Symptoms, Treatments, and Ethical Dilemmas (NA2310)


Author(s): Patsy Barnes, RN, BA


Pre-Approved for: ACM, CA BRN, CCLCP, CCM, CDMS, CE Broker Provider, CLCP, CMCPS, COHN/COHN-S, CRCC, CRRN, CVE, CVRP, Delaware BON, MSCC, RNs


Credit Hours: 4


Course Format

This course is online. All course material is available online and is accessible immediately after purchase from your account homepage. Certificate of Completion is available immediately upon passing the exam.

Course Overview

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia and is a progressive condition that affects memory, thinking, behavior, and the ability to perform daily activities. It begins with mild memory loss and may eventually lead to an inability to carry on a conversation or respond to the environment. The disease affects areas of the brain responsible for thought, memory, and language and continues to worsen over time.

This course provides an overview of Alzheimer's disease, including its causes, risk factors, signs and symptoms, stages, diagnosis, and current treatment approaches. The impact of the disease on patients, families, and caregivers is also discussed, with attention to the increasing care needs that occur as the disease progresses.

In addition, this course examines the ethical issues that arise in the care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. As cognitive decline progresses, patients may lose the ability to make informed decisions, creating challenges related to autonomy, safety, informed consent, and long-term care planning. The role of the healthcare professional in supporting patients and families through these decisions is emphasized.

Ethical decision-making is presented within the framework of professional standards, including the CCMC and CDMS Codes of Professional Conduct. Learners will be introduced to practical approaches for addressing ethical dilemmas, including balancing patient rights with safety concerns, supporting caregivers, and planning for end-of-life care.

Understanding both the clinical and ethical aspects of Alzheimer’s disease is essential for providing appropriate, patient-centered care across the continuum of the disease.



Course Objectives

  1. Describe the causes, risk factors, and progression of Alzheimer's disease.

  2. Identify the signs, symptoms, and stages of Alzheimer's disease and their impact on daily functioning.

  3. Explain current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

  4. Discuss the impact of Alzheimer's disease on patients, caregivers, and support systems.

  5. Recognize ethical issues associated with Alzheimer's disease, including decision-making capacity, autonomy, safety, and caregiver involvement.

  6. Apply ethical principles from the CCMC and CDMS Codes of Professional Conduct to situations involving Alzheimer's care.

  7. Evaluate approaches to advance care planning and end-of-life decision-making in individuals with cognitive impairment.

  8. Implement appropriate case management strategies that support patient safety, dignity, and quality of life.

Course Outline

  1. Overview of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, including definition, prevalence, risk factors, and progression

  2. Signs, symptoms, and stages of Alzheimer's disease, including cognitive, behavioral, and functional changes

  3. Diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease, including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches

  4. Impact of Alzheimer's disease on patients, families, and caregivers, including the burden of care

  5. Review of the four ethical principles - autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice - and their relevance in dementia care

  6. Decision-making capacity, informed consent, advance directives, and the role of surrogate decision-makers

  7. Ethical issues related to patient safety, independence, and quality of life as the disease progresses

  8. Application of ethical principles through case examples, including:
    • Balancing autonomy and safety
    • Confidentiality and family involvement
    • Use of medications and behavioral interventions
    • Caregiver responsibilities and support
    • Long-term care and end-of-life planning

  9. Use of an ethical decision-making process and application of the CCMC and CDMS Codes of Professional Conduct

  10. Ethical considerations related to access to care, social factors, and health disparities

  11. Emerging issues in Alzheimer's care and their ethical implications

  12. Strategies for supporting ethical, patient-centered care across all stages of Alzheimer's disease

Course Price

$40.00

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