The goal of this program is to teach therapists how to recognize symptoms of differential diagnoses, understand the types of dementias, and understand the significance of using the global scales for staging the severity of dementia. After studying the information presented here, you will be able to —

• State the symptoms associated with the general definition of dementia based on the DSM IV.
• List three similarities and three differences between differential diagnosis of dementia delirium and depression.
• Describe how knowing the type of dementia can direct your care plan, including two examples.
• State how global scales for staging dementia are efficacious to use in clinical practice.

Approval Information

Gannett Education is an approved sponsor by the New York State Education Department of continuing education for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants from 10/21/09 to 10/21/12.

This activity is provided by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners Accredited Provider #GED012010TPTA2012004 and meets continuing competence requirements for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant licensure renewal in Texas for the period of 1/1/10 through 12/31/12. The assignment of Texas PT CCUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by TPTA or TBPTE.

Gannett Education is recognized by the Physical Therapy Board of California as an approved reviewer and provider of continuing competency courses for the state of California.

This course has been approved as meeting the continuing education requirements for PTs and PTAs by the Ohio Physical Therapy Association (approval no. 11S1666 for 11/01/11 to 11/01/12); the Florida Physical Therapy Association (approval no. CE110017697 for 01/01/11 to 12/31/11, CE120017878 for 01/01/12 to 12/31/12); the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association for Class 1 Continuing Education Requirement (approval no. 4056 for 11/14/11 to 11/13/12); the Pennsylvania Board of Physical Therapy (approval no. PTCE002698 for 12/14/11 to 12/31/12); and the New Jersey Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (approval no. 1161-2010 for 11/15/11 to 01/31/12, 124-2012 from 02/01/12 to 01/31/14). Approval of this course does not necessarily imply the Florida Physical Therapy Association supports the views of the presenter or the sponsors.

This course has been approved by the Maryland State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for 0.1 CEU for 10/28/11 to 10/28/15 and by the Nevada State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for 0.1 units of continuing education for 12/12/11 to 07/31/13.

The Illinois Chapter Continuing Education Committee has certified that this course meets the criteria for approval of Continuing Education offerings established by The Illinois Physical Therapy Association (approval no. 437-4016 for 11/01/11 to 11/01/12). According to the Rules for the Administration of the Illinois Physical Therapy Act (section 13460.61) published by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant applying for re-licensure in Illinois can earn a maximum of 50 percent of their required continuing education hours from self-study. The hours awarded of this course are designated for self-study CE credit.

Other states may accept this course for meeting their CE requirements. Check with your state association or board.