$129.00 USD

97% rating - reviews

0.85  ASHA CEUs

Navigating Neurocognitive Disorders In Dementia: What The Speech Pathologist Needs To Know About Evidence-Based Practice And Patient-Centered Care  #e142


Presenters: multiple experts

Learn to shift perspective of dementia care from one of disability and loss, to one that focuses on enhancement of life engagement.


"This course goes above and beyond Dementia Capable Care and Allen Cognitive scales to develop care plans for patients. I learned so much about how to set up patients for success beyond those previously mentioned means. Looking at the individual as a whole instead of criteria they may meet on a scale was a good perspective."

– S.J., prior course participant

Read more comments about this course!

This course advocates for a holistic approach to dementia care and challenges SLPs to enhance their methods of providing person-centered care for individuals who are living with dementia in any setting. Learn to shift perspective of dementia care from one of disability and loss, to one that focuses on enhancement of life engagement.

Discussed will be six areas vital to providing meaningful, engaged care: Communication, Teamwork, Environment, Engagement, Memory Support, and Choice. By focusing on and improving efforts in each area, SLPs will be able to provide a more supportive, positive experience for elders and staff – resulting in better outcomes and higher satisfaction. Also presented will be a range of treatment options and case studies applicable to persons along the dementia continuum that have the potential to yield functional and meaningful person-centered outcomes.

Course is offered for 0.85 ASHA CEUs – 8.5 Contact Hours. Stop and re-start the course at any point. Learners retain access to course content after completion for ongoing reference and review.

Course Overview – Run Time: 8:30:11

  • Providing person-centered care.
  • Offering and encouraging choice while mitigating risk.
  • Understanding the variety of elder care health services.
  • Identifying neurocognitive disorders.
  • Gathering information.
  • Assessing the person and the environment.
  • Understanding responsive behaviors.
  • Collaborating with and educating care partners for positive outcomes for persons with a variety of dementias in any setting.
  • Developing a functional treatment plan:
    • Montessori for Aging and Dementia.
    • Spaced Retrieval.
    • Creative Expression.
    • Memory Books.
    • Other Programs.

This course includes material from courses:

#e141: Creative Connections in Dementia Care: Engaging Activities To Enhance Communication for People with Dementia

#e112: I Care: Educating Professional and Family Care Partners of People With Dementia


"This course was very thorough. It covered many different topics and also gave tangible things to do and to consider when working with a person with dementia and helping them navigate their environment so they can have more independence."

– E.M., prior course participant

Read more comments about this course!

The content of this online CE course does not focus exclusively on any specific proprietary product or service. Presenter financial and non-financial disclosures may be found in the Presenter & Disclosures area.

Video PowerPoint presentation with author narration & downloadable handout. Stop and re-start the course at any point. Learners retain access to course content after completion for ongoing reference and review.

Reviews

"All was beneficial. I liked how detailed the course was." C.N. (Feb. 2024)

"The environmental utilization of memory recall methods and the review of neurocognitive disorders were beneficial. I also enjoyed the creative literature and Montessori theories." T.B. (Jan. 2024)

"Everything was very helpful." R.D. (Dec. 2023)

"So many things were beneficial, namely, the idea of meeting the person with dementia where they are on that day, preserving their dignity, and helping them be as independent as possible." H.M. (Dec. 2023)

"Discussing memory disorders was beneficial. The course was clear." Q.X. (Dec. 2023)

"I liked the interventions." J.L. (Nov. 2023)

"Spaced Retrieval techniques were beneficial. I liked the practical approaches and different instructors." D.H. (Nov. 2023)

"Tips for positive communication. Ease of understanding the course material." C.C. (Oct. 2023)

"This course presented a comprehensive and compassionate approach to individuals and families facing the challenges of dementia. The information related to a functional approach to the diagnosis and management of dementia." R.B. (Aug. 2023)

"Explained in a personable, reasonable way that is relatable to both clinician and care partners. I liked the discussion of environmental factors." M.C. (Apr. 2023)

"Information on Spaced Retrieval and environmental modifications was beneficial. I liked that course was broken up into sections for easy place-marking." E.B. (Apr. 2023)

"I liked the topic on Montessori practice and the strategies provided." F.M. (Mar. 2023)

"This course was extremely organized and informative!" S.G. (Mar. 2023)

"Learning about the Montessori Long-Term Facility Structure. I liked the review of anatomy at the start." A.C. (Jan. 2023)

"I liked all the examples. And all of the different slides, different speakers - great variety." J.W. (Jan. 2023)

"Ways of communicating with dementia patients and the memory books were beneficial." G.L. (Jan. 2023)

"I liked the creative connections projects and the examples of eliminating environmental barriers." L.D. (Dec. 2022)

"Spaced retrieval was beneficial. I liked the overall presentation and clarity of information." B.B. (Dec. 2022)

"Great info! I liked the ease of navigation and printable materials." L.H. (Dec. 2022)

"Therapeutic interventions for dementia. I liked the materials for further use." A.K. (Nov. 2022)

"Memory discussion was beneficial." J.B. (Nov. 2022)

"All of the course content was beneficial. I liked I could complete course at home." P.M. (Oct. 2022)

"I will implement spaced retrieval more in my practice. I work with a lot of dementia patients and have used spaced retrieval, but not as an everyday occurrence." V.R. (Sept. 2022)

"I enjoyed the specific examples for art and relating to tasks. I also liked the detailed descriptions for spaced retrieval." C.N. (Sept. 2022)

"I got a lot of information and references from this course. I loved the 5 things you will want to continue to do all your life." H.T. (Aug. 2022)

"I liked that you could do it in segments and return."  E.K. (Aug. 2022)

"Good examples - liked the Spaced Retrieval technique. I liked the video clips, and that course covered a lot of information." S.J. (Aug. 2022)

"Great presentation for work with residents, families and care providers. I liked the knowledge of the presenters and the examples given." B.P. (Aug. 2022)

"I will benefit from this course, daily."  W.D. (July 2022)

"The course was easy to follow. I liked the environmental interventions." S.F. (June 2022)

"Practical suggestions for arranging environment. Liked the focus on understanding the client." C.R. (May 2022)

"Learning how I can adjust a patient's environment to increase his/her success. I liked the information on how to decrease concerning behaviors from individuals with dementia." M.D. (Apr. 2022)

"Clear and specific examples. I liked the Spaced Retrieval and environmental changes discussion." I.R. (Mar. 2022)

"Great use of concrete examples, video, research. I liked the Montessori method and creative connections." J.M. (Feb. 2022)

"I liked so many of the topics. I appreciated the discussion of the brain and the different neurocognitive disorders, and types of memory. I also enjoyed many of the Montessori approaches to treatment - so positive and respectful - preservation of dignity."  B.G. (Feb. 2022)

"I appreciated the collaboration with and supporting care partners from the perspective of helping family members so they can enjoy and work with pt's strengths, interests, and preserved skills. I have worked in many facilities that would benefit from this discussion."  B.G. (Feb. 2022)

"This course was very informative and provided some great ideas for Tx." K.S. (Jan. 2022)

"I liked the examples of visual cueing in the environment." K.H. (Nov. 2021)

"Practical ways to implement the content discussed with examples." L.A. (Nov. 2021)

"All of it was very comprehensive – very functional course. Clear and concise." S.C. (Nov. 2021)

"I liked the memory book section. I use them all the time and found the tips very helpful!" C.T. (Oct. 2021)

"I liked the review of the brain and the areas affected by Alzheimer's Dementia and other neurological diseases. I have focused more time and energy on injury and less on degenerative processes. The course was very easy to listen to, linear layout, and not distracting." D.L. (Oct. 2021)

"I liked the clarity and numerous suggestions."  M.R. (Oct. 2021)

"Learning about the Montessori method, contrast and environmental changes was beneficial for my daily practice. This course was very thorough. It covered many different topics and also gave tangible things to do and to consider when working with a person with dementia and helping them navigate their environment so they can have more independence. I liked the examples - videos and pictures that were presented throughout." E.M. (Oct. 2021)

"This course goes above and beyond Dementia Capable Care and Allen Cognitive scales to develop care plans for patients. I learned so much about how to set up patients for success beyond those previously mentioned means.  Looking at the individual as a whole instead of criteria they may meet on a scale was a good perspective." S.J. (Aug. 2021)

"Helping teachers to understand that a reading problem is a language problem will help my daily practice.  Unlike some other courses I have taken, this felt like a graduate course, not an undergraduate one. It was very well organized with some tough material." K.C. (Jul. 2021)

"The top of environmental facilitators/barriers will benefit my daily practice. The pictures for examples of before and after as changes were made to environment were good." L.H. (Jul. 2021)

"Guidance in utilizing senses to target therapy activities will be very useful." S.F. (May 2021)

“I loved that it is practical and holistic.” M.K. (May 2021)

"I liked the discussion of Montessori techniques (especially for dementia), which will also apply to intervention with other people with chronic communication disorders like TBI and aphasia. I find it interesting that salience is popping up in so much of SLP (in LPAA and LOUD also)." W.B. (Mar. 2021)

“Excellent presentation! All of the information is valuable and beneficial for the daily practice of Speech Therapist working for SNF.” O.T. (Jan. 2021)

“I liked it all. I work in LTC setting, and all of the info applies to my daily practice. I especially enjoyed the videos.” K.B. (Jan. 2021)

Course Objectives

  1. Identify assessment procedures that yield meaningful information. (Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
  2. Describe and plan interventions that have the potential to yield functional and meaningful outcomes for persons with dementia. (Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
  3. Describe how to incorporate care partners' goals and education into treatment planning. (Sections 11, 12) 
  4. Describe the essential aspects of leadership, team building, communication and engagement in healthcare settings. (Sections 11)
  5. Describe how to reduce undesirable responsive behaviors such as wandering, rummaging and agitation through effective environmental design strategies. (Sections 11, 12)

Northern Speech Services is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval #22735. This eCourse is offered at 0.85 CEUs, educational level Intermediate, 1. Domain of OT:  Client Factors; Social Participation; Performance Skills: Body Functions; Context and Environment; Evaluation: Cognitive/Communication and Social Skills; Intervention; Outcomes 2. OT Process: Cultural, Personal Physical, Social, Temporal, Analysis of occupational performance, Develop intervention play & approaches, Occupational performance, QoL. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.

Presenter & Disclosures

Jeanette E. Benigas, PhD, CCC-SLP, practices privately as a speech-language pathologist. Her extensive clinical experience has included work with adults in the post-acute, long-term care, and home health settings. Dr. Benigas's research interests include improving the quality of life for persons with dementia, specifically those who have difficulties eating and swallowing. Her research has incorporated the use of spaced retrieval to teach swallowing strategies so that individuals with dementia can avoid unwanted dietary modifications. She has traveled nationally to speak with other SLPs and is a former professor. Dr. Benigas received a master's degree in speech-language pathology from Eastern Michigan University and a doctorate in speech and hearing science with an interdisciplinary specialization in aging from The Ohio State University. She is the coauthor of Spaced Retrieval Step by Step: An Evidence-Based Memory Intervention.

Speaker Disclosures:

Financial — Jeanette Benigas is co-presenter of an online CE course sponsored by Northern Speech Services; receives royalty payments.

Nonfinancial — Jeanette Benigas has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Jennifer A. Brush, MA, CCC-SLP, is an award-winning Dementia Educator, author, and consultant. Passionate about enriching the lives of people with dementia, Jennifer is on a mission to put the focus of care on the person’s preferences, interests, and abilities. With her 25 years of industry experience, including leading countless live national and international trainings, facilitating ground-breaking research, and managing innovative person-centered care projects for The Mayer-Rothschild Foundation, Jennifer flawlessly bridges the gap between care communities and the individuals they serve. Jennifer serves on the Association Montessori International Advisory Board for Montessori for Aging and Dementia and is the only person in the US teaching this international program.

Jennifer is the author of 5 nationally recognized books on dementia including the silver-medal winning Creative Connections in Dementia Care and I Care, the gold-medal winning work that also received a 5-star rating as a Reader Favorite. Jennifer is widely known for her revolutionary work in the Spaced Retrieval memory intervention, pioneering this area of study and publishing 2 books on the subject.

Speaker Disclosures:

Financial — Jennifer Brush is a presenter of online CE courses sponsored by Northern Speech Services; receives royalties.

Financial — Jennifer Brush is the author of "Meal Time Matters" and "Meal Time Matters at Home"; receives royalties.

Financial — Jennifer Brush is the author of "A Therapy Technique for Improving Memory: Spaced Retrieval" and "Environment and Communication Assessment Toolkit"; receives royalties.

Financial — Jennifer Brush is an editor and author for IDEAS Institute; receives consulting fees.

Financial — Jennifer Brush is the owner of Brush Development; ownership interests.

Nonfinancial — Jennifer Brush has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Kelsey Loushin, LICDC-CS, CDP, has been providing counseling, coaching, and professional training services for various healthcare organizations, private companies, and Employee Assistance Programs for over 25 years. She has a B.A. from Kent State University in Individual and Family Studies, is a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor with Supervisory credentials (LICDC-CS), Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and a Certified 2 Young 2 Retire facilitator. In 2002, she launched Eldercare Professionals of Ohio, LLC, a geriatric care management company supporting caregivers, consumers, and professionals in the field of aging. The company operates three divisions; professional networking services, professional training services, and caregiver coaching services. Since 1998, Kelsey has actively participated with the Northern Ohio Chapter of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association. She is currently the co-chair of their Work Life Committee and the chairperson of their Website Committee. Since 2000, Kelsey has actively supported the Cuyahoga County Conference on Aging as an active member of the conference planning committee. Since 2010 she has organized an annual silent auction to support Cornerstone of Hope, a non-profit dedicated to those who are grieving. Kelsey is the proud parent of her daughter Alyssa. Kelsey’s athletic interests are integrated into her business through her participation in organized sports to raise funds for non-profit organizations such as The Alzheimer's Association and the American Cancer Society. Kelsey has provided patient/client care in numerous care settings with various populations. She has developed utilization review standards to measure patient care experiences as well as develop intervention strategies to improve experiences along with the entire care experience. She provides education for professionals, caregivers, and consumers about the patient care process. She also participates in various patient/client care committees to develop person-centered initiatives to enhance the patient care experience.

Speaker Disclosures:

Financial — Kelsey Loushin is co-presenter of an online CE course sponsored by Northern Speech Services; receives royalty payments.

Nonfinancial — Kelsey Loushin has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.

Rev. Katie Norris, M.Div., is the co-founder of the Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation for Brain Health. Her community ministry is devoted to helping people with mental illness and dementia live lives of meaning and purpose. Rev. Norris is a Unitarian Universalist minister with a specialty in pastoral care and communication for people with brain health illness and their families. She works to raise awareness and end stigmas associated with these illnesses through community outreach and public speaking. Rev. Norris received her BA from John Carroll University and her M.Div from Meadville Lombard Theological School. She is on the Board of Kendal at Home. She has received certification for training in Montessori-Based Dementia Care and to facilitate Opening Minds Through Art (OMA.) Rev. Norris is the co-author of Creative Connections in Dementia Care: Engaging Activities To Enhance Communication.

Speaker Disclosures:

Financial — Katie Norris is a co-presenter of online CE courses sponsored by Northern Speech Services; receives royalties.

Financial — Katie Norris is the co-author of "Creative Connections in Dementia Care"; receives royalties.

Financial — Katie Norris is a presenter of CE seminar sponsored by Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation for Brain Health; receives speaking fees.

Nonfinancial — Katie Norris is the co-founder of Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation for Brain Health.

Intended Audience / Accreditation

asha ce approved provider

This program is offered for 0.85 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate Level; Professional Area).

Intended Audience

  • Speech-Language Pathologists
  • OT

ASHA CEUs: NSS online courses are registered with ASHA and are offered for ASHA CEUs. The number of ASHA CEUs is noted above. Note that 0.1 ASHA CEU = 1 contact hour = equals 1 CEE.

ASHA CE Registry: During the enrollment process, if you select to receive ASHA credit for this course and if you provide your ASHA number, NSS will automatically submit your CEU information to the ASHA CE Registry after successful course completion (80% on post test). This submission happens once per month, during the first week of the month. For example, if you complete your course on November 7th, NSS will submit all November online course CEUs to ASHA during the first week of December. When ASHA inputs the information into their database, they will mark the course as completed on the last day of the month in which it was completed, so November 30th using this example. The certificate of completion available for you to print immediately, however, will reflect the actual completion date, November 7th in this example. Due to ASHA processing procedures please allow 2-3 weeks, from the submission date, for the course to appear on your ASHA transcript.

ASHA CEUs: Attendees must meet at least one of the following conditions in order to be eligible to earn ASHA CEUs:
  • Current ASHA Member
  • ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) Holder
  • Licensed by a state or provincial regulatory agency to practice speech-language pathology (SLP) or audiology
  • Credentialed by a state regulatory agency to practice SLP or audiology
  • Credentialed by a national regulatory agency to practice SLP or audiology
  • Engaged in a Clinical Fellowship under the supervision of an individual with their ASHA CCC
  • Currently enrolled in a master's or doctoral program in SLP or audiology

If an attendee is not an ASHA member or CCC holder but meets any of the above criteria, they may inform the ASHA CE Registry of their eligibility by visiting this site.

Licensing Boards: Most state licensing boards DO accept CEUs earned online (usually classified as home-study credits). Some state boards do, however, place a limit to the number of credits that can be earned via home study/online courses. For the most current information, we suggest that you contact your licensing board or agency to verify acceptance policies and/or any credit limits related to home-study courses prior to registering for this course.

Additional accrediting agencies by which Northern Speech is an approved CE provider:

  • California: NSS is approved as a provider of continuing education by the California Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Board. Provider #PDP4. Online CEU limits may apply; please contact SLPAHADB for current online CEU acceptance policies.
  • Iowa: NSS is approved as a provider of continuing education by the Iowa Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology Examiners. Provider #169.
  • Kansas: NSS is approved as a provider of continuing education by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Provider #LTS-S0005.
  • Florida: NSS is approved as a provider of continuing education by the Florida Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board. Provider #SPA-026.

Frequently Asked Questions



Customer Support: Please phone 888.337.3866 or email info@northernspeech.com.

Course Completion Timeframe:

You have unlimited time to complete our online courses. You may log off and log on as often as you’d like to in order to complete all sections of a course.

However, completion dates are based on Eastern Standard Time. Therefore, if you need your CEUs by a certain date, be sure to complete the course test before 11:59pm EST on that date. For example, if you need CEUs before January 1st, you will need to complete the course test before 11:59pm EST on December 31st.

Content Access:

Access to course materials and content does not expire, even after completing the post test. You may continue to review course material by logging into your NSS account, clicking the My Online Courses tab, and then viewing your desired course.

Certificate of Completion:

On successful completion of the post test (80%), a certificate will be immediately available for download and/or printing. This certificate will include your name, date of completion (based on Eastern Time Zone, USA/Canada), and number of contact hours (CEUs / CEEs). Please note that CEUs are awarded on the date of successful test completion, not the date of course enrollment. Please ensure that you successfully complete the post test prior to any licensure renewal dates.

ASHA CE Registry Submission:

During the enrollment process, if you select to receive ASHA credit for this course and if you provide your ASHA number, NSS will automatically submit your CEU information to the ASHA CE Registry after successful course completion (80% on post test). This submission happens once per month, during the first week of the month. For example, if you complete your course on November 7th, NSS will submit all November online course CEUs to ASHA during the first week of December. When ASHA inputs the information into their database, they will mark the course as completed on the last day of the month in which it was completed, so November 30th using this example. The certificate of completion available for you to print immediately, however, will reflect the actual completion date, November 7th in this example. Due to ASHA processing procedures please allow 2-3 weeks, from the submission date, for the course to appear on your ASHA transcript.

Purchase Orders:

Purchase orders are currently not accepted for online orders, if you wish to submit a purchase order please do so at info@northernspeech.com or fax to 888-696-9655.

What is an Online Course?

Our Online Courses consist of video, audio, and/or text content and are offered for ASHA CEUs. Unlike a webinar, which requires participants to be logged on and at a computer at specific times, our Online Courses are available to you at any time, from any device, via your NorthernSpeech.com online account. You may work at your own pace and start and stop your course as you wish. Your course will conclude with a short post test. On successful completion of the post test (>80%), a printable certificate of completion is presented to you.

Receiving CEUs:

Northern Speech is an ASHA CE Provider and our online courses are registered with ASHA and offered for ASHA CEUs. Please note that successful completion of the online post test is required prior to the awarding of CEUs. Please contact your state licensing board for acceptance policies related to CEUs earned online. Please note that courses offered for university students are not applicable for CEUs.

Registering for an online course:

You may browse all online courses by clicking the Continuing Education tab above, then Online Courses. Once you find a course, click Enroll Now, and you will be asked to either log into your existing Northern Speech account or create a new online account. Once you’ve entered your account information and provided your credit card payment, your course will be immediately available to you.

Accessing your purchased course or returning to a purchased course:

You will be able to access your online course by logging into your Northern Speech account and then clicking the My Online Courses tab on your profile screen. Click the course you would like to start or to resume. From there, proceed through the course sections until you are ready to complete the post test. You do not have to complete your course all at once. You may log on and off as you wish.

Testing requirements:

Each online course concludes with a post test consisting of multiple choice or true & false questions. Scores of 80% or greater are required for successful course completion and awarding of CEUs. You may revisit course materials and retest as needed to achieve a passing score.

Number of CEUs offered:

We offer courses from 1 to 21 contact hours. Each course will note the number of CEUs offered. Please note that 0.1 CEU = 1 contact hour = 1 CEE.

State licensing boards and online CEUs:

NSS is an ASHA CE Provider and most state licensing boards DO accept ASHA CEUs earned online (usually classified as home-study credits). Some boards do, however, place a limit to the number of CEUs that can be earned via home study/online courses. For the most current information, we suggest that you contact your licensing board or agency to verify acceptance policies and/or any CEU limits related to home-study courses prior to enrolling in an online course.

Course formats:

Our course formats include: text, audio, video, and PowerPoint with author narration. Each course will note the format on the course description page. Most courses include closed captioning.

Course handouts:

Most of our online courses provide a link to download the accompanying handout as a PDF file. 

Group discounts:

Groups of 3 or more are eligible for a 20% discount on each registration on most of our online courses. To receive this discount, registrations need to be processed together via the "Group Rates" tab on the Online Course of your choice.

Computer requirements:

For our online courses to function best, we recommend that you update your computer to include the newest version of your Internet browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Internet Explorer, etc.) and newest version of your computer's operating system. Also a high-speed Internet connection is recommended (cable or DSL). Speakers or headphones will be required for many of our courses as many contain audio components.

Course Cancellation Policy:

A purchased online course can be exchanged, refunded, or transferred to another individual if contact is made with NSS (via phone or email) within 30 days of purchase and the course materials have not been viewed or downloaded. 

Special Needs:

Please click here for any special needs requests, and we will do our best to accommodate them. 

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