Beyond the Tip of the Iceberg: Communication Across the Dementia Journey
Course: #11308Level: Intermediate 1 Hour 1215 Reviews
An iceberg serves as a powerful metaphor for the complexities of communication and how our individual backgrounds, experiences, and perceptions shape how we interpret interactions. When caring for a person living with dementia, we may only observe what appears at the “tip of the iceberg.” To foster meaningful communication, we must look beneath the surface to uncover the deeper meaning behind their words and behaviors.
On Demand
Course Type: Video
CEUs/Hours Offered: ASHA/0.1 Intermediate, Professional; Calif SLPAB/1.0; IACET/0.1; Kansas LTS-S1370/1.0; SAC/1.0
Course Preview
Watch the first six minutes of the course. Register for immediate access to the full course, which will also appear on your Pending Courses page.
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Learning Outcomes
- After this course, participants will be able to identify 3 changes in an individual’s ability to communicate as their dementia progresses.
- After this course, participants will be able to describe 3 ways to maximize communication with a person living with dementia.
- After this course, participants will be able to differentiate between 3 different types of dementia, explaining how each type may uniquely affect communication.
Course created on September 4, 2025
Agenda
| 0-10 Minutes | Introduction: What is Communication? |
| 10-15 Minutes | Types of Dementia and Their Impact on Communication |
| 15-20 Minutes | Communication Across the Dementia Progression |
| 20-25 Minutes | Communication Do’s and Don’t |
| 25-30 Minutes | Maximizing Communication with a Person Living with Dementia (PLwD) |
| 30-35 Minutes | Understanding Communication Breakdowns |
| 35-40 Minutes | Nonverbal Communication: Body Language, Touch, and Listening |
| 40-45 Minutes | Communication Habits to Avoid |
| 45-50 Minutes | Therapeutic Interventions |
| 50-55 Minutes | Integrating the Concepts |
| 55-60 Minutes | Summary & Q&A |
Reviews
1215 ReviewsPresented By
Laurie Walther
MS CCC-SLP
Laurie is a Texas licensed Speech Language Pathologist with over 28 years of experience primarily in the Skilled Nursing setting. She is the co-founder and principal of Empowering Care Partners, a company providing training and consulting to individuals living with dementia and their care partners who support them, including family members, dementia care professionals, and organizations. Laurie currently provides speech therapy services in Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing, and in the acute care hospital setting and is part of the Residency team for a college working with graduate students on applying their clinical skills and knowledge. Laurie recently co-created a program support series "Eating Well with Dementia", collaborating with colleagues in Malaysia and Wales.
Laurie is a Certified Independent Trainer with Teepa Snow's Positive Approach to Care. She has served as a mentor and leader to her partners, corporate members, staff clinicians, families and caregivers, and patients and residents. She has created many clinical, educational, and operational programs that have been carried out at the community level, corporate wide, nationally, and internationally. Laurie has been a staff clinician, clinical leader, director of rehab, regional director, and senior vice president of rehab. She loves teaching, mentoring and leading individuals to maximize their best to support those we serve.
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Financial: Laurie Walther was paid an honorarium for this presentation. She is co-founder and principal of Empowering Care Partners, a for-profit organization providing training and support for those living with dementia and their care partners. She is also the co-creator of the support series, “Eating Well with Dementia” and a Certified Independent Trainer with Teepa Snow's Positive Approach to Care. Non-financial: Laurie Walther has no relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.
Sponsor Disclosure: This Course is presented by SpeechPathology.com, a Continued site.
Content Disclosure: This learning event does not focus exclusively on any specific product or service.
Course participation information
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American Speech-Language-Hearing Assn.
Intermediate Level
0.10 ASHA CEUs
California Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Board
SpeechPathology.com is approved by the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board as a Continuing Professional Development Provider, approval number PDP 268. This course may meet the requirements for 1.00 hours of continuing education credit for speech-language pathologists as required by the California Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Board. The responsibility for determining whether or not this specific course counts toward an individual's requirements for license renewal is up to the individual. Please refer to the CA state board rules regarding allowable topics and self-study limits: https://www.speechandhearing.ca.gov/licensees/slp-au_cpd_req.shtml Live webinars on SpeechPathology.com are not included in the self-study limit under California professional development guidelines.
International Association for Continuing Education and Training
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Kansas Dept for Aging and Disability Services
Approved for 1.00 continuing education clock hour(s) for Kansas licensed Speech Pathologists by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. Long-Term Sponsorship number: LTS-S1370.
Speech-Language and Audiology Canada
Clinically certified members of Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC) can accumulate continuing education equivalents (CEEs) for their participation with SpeechPathology.com. One hour of coursework equals 1 CEE. All SAC members are encouraged to participate in on-going education.