ACC Dementia Care & Cognitive Programming 3

Question 1

What is the primary principle of validation therapy when applied to dementia care activities?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledging and accepting the emotional truth behind a resident's statements and behaviors

Answer

Correcting factual errors firmly to maintain the resident's connection to reality

Answer

Using strict behavioral reinforcement to modify inappropriate behaviors

Answer

Providing memory exercises to maintain orientation to time and place

Question 2

Which of the following BEST describes 'learned helplessness' in a resident with dementia?

Accepted Answer

A resident who has stopped attempting tasks because they expect failure or are denied opportunities to try

Answer

A resident refusing all activity participation due to personal preference

Answer

A resident with severe physical disabilities who is physically unable to perform activities

Answer

A resident who becomes confused about the time of day during activities

Question 3

Music therapy benefits residents with dementia PRIMARILY because:

Accepted Answer

Musical memory pathways are often preserved even in advanced dementia due to emotional processing regions of the brain

Answer

It requires no staff involvement and can run automatically without supervision

Answer

It improves cognitive function by repairing damaged brain cells over time

Answer

It is the only activity that all dementia residents can participate in without any risk

Question 4

What is the recommended approach when a resident with dementia exhibits a 'catastrophic reaction' — an extreme emotional outburst in response to a stimulus?

Accepted Answer

Remove the triggering stimulus, reduce environmental stimulation, and offer calm reassurance

Answer

Challenge the resident to calm down using logic and step-by-step reasoning

Answer

Immediately increase stimulation to distract the resident from the trigger

Answer

Document the reaction thoroughly and wait for it to resolve on its own

Question 5

Which principle should guide an activity professional when a resident with dementia repeatedly asks the same question throughout a session?

Accepted Answer

Respond with patience each time as if it is the first time, addressing the underlying emotional need

Answer

Correct the resident firmly and redirect to a completely different topic each time

Answer

Remind the resident that they have already asked this question to build awareness

Answer

Ignore subsequent repetitions to avoid reinforcing the repetitive behavior

Question 6

What is the primary distinction between procedural memory and declarative memory as it relates to dementia activity programming?

Accepted Answer

Procedural memory involves how to perform tasks and skills; declarative memory involves facts and episodic events

Answer

Procedural memory involves recent events; declarative memory involves remote events

Answer

Procedural memory is always lost first in dementia; declarative memory is preserved longest

Answer

They are different terms for the same underlying memory function

Question 7

When planning activities for a resident with vascular dementia compared to Alzheimer's disease, what is the MOST important factor to consider?

Accepted Answer

The stepwise progression and specific cognitive deficits related to stroke location that may vary by individual

Answer

Vascular dementia progresses more slowly than Alzheimer's, so activities can always be more complex

Answer

Vascular dementia affects only physical abilities and not cognitive function

Answer

Activities for vascular dementia should always focus exclusively on reminiscence therapy