Protecting the Rights of Individuals with Dementia​

Overview

Dementia care involves complex legal and ethical issues, with a particular focus on patient safety, security, and healthcare equity. This course provides essential knowledge and guidance for healthcare professionals, caregivers, and institutional staff involved in dementia care, especially those working with high-risk populations and addressing health disparities. Participants will explore legal frameworks, ethical principles, and practical strategies for addressing challenging situations related to decision-making, consent, and end-of-life care while prioritizing the safety and well-being of individuals with dementia, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, or other factors that may contribute to health disparities. By understanding the legal and ethical implications of dementia care, participants will be better equipped to protect the rights and interests of individuals with dementia, ensuring a safe and supportive environment that promotes healthcare equity and addresses the unique needs of high-risk populations.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for the following professionals who care for patients with dementia:

  • Direct service staff members:  Including but not limited to certified registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, licensed vocational nurses, nurse practitioners, certified nurse aides, nursing assistants, physician assistants, home health or personal care aides, activities directors, feeding assistants, social workers, dietary staff, respite care providers, adult day care providers, and all occupational, physical, and speech therapy staff.
  • Administrative staff members: Senior employees at facilities or programs, including administrators and managerial staff members who directly supervise covered direct service staff members. 
  • Other staff members: A staff member who is either a full-time or part-time employee, independent consultant, or a staff member of a contractor or subcontractor who has contact on a recurring basis with, but does not provide medical services for, residents or program participants, including housekeeping staff, front desk staff, other administrative staff, and other individuals who have incidental contact.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, the learner will be able to:

  1. Explain legal and ethical considerations in dementia care, while also addressing healthcare disparities and ensuring equitable access to services for high-risk populations.  
  2. Describe the importance of advance care planning and guardianship, emphasizing the need to provide culturally sensitive and inclusive options for individuals from diverse backgrounds.  
  3. Identify signs of abuse, neglect, and exploitation in individuals with dementia, focusing on high-risk populations and the impact of personal biases on care decisions. 
  4. Implement strategies to protect the safety and security of individuals with dementia, considering the specific needs and cultural preferences of underserved populations and ensuring that safety measures are culturally sensitive and inclusive.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 Nursing Hours
  • 0.10 IACET CEUs
  • 1.25 NAB/NCERS
Course opens: 
12/16/2024
Course expires: 
12/15/2025

Ashley Rice, EdD, MSN, RN, NPD-BC

As an experienced nurse with a passion for education, Dr. Rice has dedicated her career to blending the art of caregiving with the science of learning. With a background in nursing and a specialization in curriculum development, she had the privilege of shaping healthcare professionals through innovative teaching methodologies and tailored educational programs. Dr. Rice's journey has been marked by a commitment to excellence in patient care and a drive to empower others through knowledge and skill development. She strives to inspire a culture of continuous learning and compassionate care, ensuring that every clinical professional is equipped to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve.

Written by: Ottamissiah Moore, BSN, RN, WCC, DWC, CHPN

Ottamissiah (Missy) Moore is a certified hospice Nurse and End of Life Doula from Washington D.C. Her wealth of experience and knowledge in nursing spans over 38 years. She has extensive experience in Long Term Care staff development and provides consulting services for conference planning and trainings to include leadership, hospice and wound care. She collaborates with national organizations such as the National Alliance for Wound Care and Ostomy and currently serves as the board president. She also collaborates with VITAS Innovative Hospice Care and the National Black Nurses Association to provide educational seminars and trainings on nursing topics such as mental health first aid, wound care, hospice, care of the aging, IV therapy and scope and regulation of practical nursing. Dedicated to growing professional and competent nurses, Missy hosts continuing education workshops and meetings for nurses throughout the year.

Clinical Advisors

Christina Prather, MD, FACP and Veronica Sharpe, MHSA

Conflicts of Interest

There are no reported conflicts for any of the faculty. 

Anti-discrimination Policy

The instructors and advisors have agreed to our anti-discrimination policy that prohibits the inclusion of discriminatory language, graphics, or references on the basis of race, gender identity, age, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, or religion.

Disclosure link: 
Additional Disclosures

Nursing Continuing Professional Development

The maximum number of hours awarded for this Nursing Continuing Professional Development activity is 1.00 contact hours.

IACET

As an IACET Accredited Provider, Innovation Horizons offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard.

Long-Term Care Administrators 

This educational offering has been reviewed and approved by the National Continuing Education Review Service (NCERS) of the Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) and approved for 1.25 clock hours and 1.25 participant hours.  

NAB/NCERS Approval Number: 20251214-1.25-A108497-DL

Learners must provide their nursing home administrator license number and NAB CE registry identification number. 

Joint Accreditation Statement 

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Partners for Advancing Clinical Education (PACE) and Innovation Horizons.  PACE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Interprofessional Continuing Education

This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 1.0 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 Nursing Hours
  • 0.10 IACET CEUs
  • 1.25 NAB/NCERS
Please login or register to take this course.

Required Hardware/Software

High-Speed Internet Connection

Adobe Reader for PDF file download

Browser

  • This educational activity has been tested in the latest versions of Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Chrome browsers on Windows or Macintosh computers. 

  • The Safari, Firefox, or Chrome browsers are recommended for best results. 

  • The Internet Explorer browser is not recommended as it is no longer supported by Microsoft.