Recognizing and Managing Agitation in Dementia: Early Warning Signs and De-Escalation Strategies
Course #9919L -
- Participation Instructions
- Review the course material online or in print.
- Complete the course evaluation.
- Review your Transcript to view and print your Certificate of Completion. Your date of completion will be the date (Pacific Time) the course was electronically submitted for credit, with no exceptions. Partial credit is not available.
This live event takes place Sunday, December 13, 6 pm-7 pm EST (3 pm-4 pm PST).
Agitation in dementia is a leading cause of caregiver distress, institutionalization, and healthcare utilization. This course provides clinicians with a structured, evidence-based framework to recognize early signs of agitation and implement effective management strategies.
This live webinar is designed for healthcare professionals involved in the assessment, treatment, and care of patients with dementia.
The purpose of this course is to improve clinicians' knowledge of the causes, early warning signs, and management of agitation in dementia and develop skills in selecting appropriate pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions and applying structured de-escalation strategies to improve patient safety and outcomes.
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Identify common causes and early warning signs of agitation in patients with dementia.
- Differentiate between non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic management strategies.
- Apply a structured approach to de-escalation and management of agitation in clinical settings.
Amarish Dave', DO, is a board-certified neurologist and Medical Director of the Mercy Memory and Dementia Clinic, specializing in memory disorders, brain health, and complex neurological conditions. He completed his neurologic fellowship training at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Medical School at Midwestern University. He is known for a practical, patient-centered approach that combines clinical expertise with a focus on function, quality of life, and real-world outcomes. Dr. Dave' works closely with case managers, caregivers, and interdisciplinary teams to deliver timely, accurate diagnoses and clear care plans that support recovery and long-term management. In addition to his clinical work, he is an experienced speaker and educator, providing guidance on dementia care, neurologic conditions, and optimizing brain health across diverse populations.
Contributing faculty, Amarish Dave', DO, has disclosed no relevant financial relationship with any product manufacturer or service provider mentioned.
Kimberly Byrd, EdD, PMSW
Scott Deatherage, PhD
The division planners have disclosed no relevant financial relationship with any product manufacturer or service provider mentioned.
Sarah Campbell
The Director of Development and Academic Affairs has disclosed no relevant financial relationship with any product manufacturer or service provider mentioned.
The purpose of NetCE is to provide challenging curricula to assist healthcare professionals to raise their levels of expertise while fulfilling their continuing education requirements, thereby improving the quality of healthcare.
Our contributing faculty members have taken care to ensure that the information and recommendations are accurate and compatible with the standards generally accepted at the time of publication. The publisher disclaims any liability, loss or damage incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents. Participants are cautioned about the potential risk of using limited knowledge when integrating new techniques into practice.
It is the policy of NetCE not to accept commercial support. Furthermore, commercial interests are prohibited from distributing or providing access to this activity to learners.
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The role of implicit biases on healthcare outcomes has become a concern, as there is some evidence that implicit biases contribute to health disparities, professionals' attitudes toward and interactions with patients, quality of care, diagnoses, and treatment decisions. This may produce differences in help-seeking, diagnoses, and ultimately treatments and interventions. Implicit biases may also unwittingly produce professional behaviors, attitudes, and interactions that reduce patients' trust and comfort with their provider, leading to earlier termination of visits and/or reduced adherence and follow-up. Disadvantaged groups are marginalized in the healthcare system and vulnerable on multiple levels; health professionals' implicit biases can further exacerbate these existing disadvantages.
Interventions or strategies designed to reduce implicit bias may be categorized as change-based or control-based. Change-based interventions focus on reducing or changing cognitive associations underlying implicit biases. These interventions might include challenging stereotypes. Conversely, control-based interventions involve reducing the effects of the implicit bias on the individual's behaviors. These strategies include increasing awareness of biased thoughts and responses. The two types of interventions are not mutually exclusive and may be used synergistically.