Supporting People with Dementia and IDD

Course Code: REL-IDD-0-RSIDIDD

Hours: 0.5

Type: Online Course

Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2026

Learning Objectives:
Describe common effects of dementia.
Identify early signs of dementia in people with IDD.
Explain strategies to support a person who has IDD and dementia.

Outline:
Section 1: Introduction

About This Course

Learning Objectives

Section 2: Introduction to Dementia

An Unpleasant Experience

Defining Dementia

Effects of Dementia

Stages of Dementia

Living with Dementia

Recognizing Dementia

Dementia and IDD

Treating Dementia

Review

Summary

Section 3: Supporting Someone with Dementia

IDD vs. Dementia

Dementia Support Needs

Responding to Confusion

Responding to Aggression and Resistance

Creating Comfort

Preventing Wandering

Reducing Sundowning

Meet Tom

Review

Summary

Section 4: Conclusion

Summary

Course Contributors

Resources

References

Congratulations!

Instructor: Katy Kunst, MBA, QIDP

Katy Kunst received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and her Master of Business Administration from Elon University. She has 15 years of experience serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their supporters, including roles as direct support professional, program director, and training facilitator. She has created and facilitated training on topics including non-violent crisis interventions, person-centered planning, cultural competence, quality service delivery, regulatory compliance, and a variety of topics related to IDD services.

Expert Reviewer: Elizabeth Veltri, BSN-RN, QIDP

Ms. Veltri received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has seven years of nursing experience working with older adults with IDD. She is a member of the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices and advocates strongly for the well-being of older adults with IDD. She currently works as a Clinical Coordinator registered nurse in a retirement community for older adults with IDD. She also trains support staff members on medication practices and dementia support skills.

Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Direct Support Professionals; in the following settings: Intellectual Developmental Disabilities.

Relias Learning will be transparent in disclosing if any commercial support, sponsorship or co-providership is present prior to the learner completing the course.

Relias Learning has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias Learning will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias Learning at support@reliaslearning.com.

Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.