Alzheimer's Disease: Prevalence, Impact, and Caregiving for Physical Therapists and Assistants

---

How to Take This Course:

• 1 View Course Worksheet -  View the course worksheet or print it out to review later
• 2 Read the Course Material -  As you read through, mark your answers on the course worksheet to be prepared for the exam
• 3 Take Exam -  You must achieve a score of 70% or higher in order to earn credit for the course.
• You don't need to pay for an exam until AFTER you pass it. If you have any questions or need more information, please click here.

---

CEU Course Description

This course provides physical therapists and physical therapist assistants with an in-depth overview of Alzheimer’s disease, emphasizing its prevalence, impact, and implications for patient care and mobility. The course distinguishes Alzheimer’s from other forms of dementia and reviews the disease’s types, stages, signs, symptoms, and diagnostic criteria. Participants will examine evidence on the effectiveness of interventions such as music therapy, cognitive training, game-based therapy, and exercise, with a particular focus on the efficacy of physical therapy in delaying disease progression and promoting functional independence. Practical strategies, including cueing, mirroring, task breakdown, and hand-over-hand guidance, will be explored alongside principles of muscle training, safe exercise prescription, and assistive device and seating considerations. The course also addresses caregiver education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the role of support groups in enhancing quality of life. Upon completion, participants will be equipped to apply evidence-based physical therapy approaches that optimize movement, function, and caregiving outcomes for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

CEU Course Objectives

1. Identify the distinguishing characteristics between Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, including definitions, neuropathological features, and progressive stages that influence functional mobility and therapy planning
2. Recall current data on prevalence, mortality, and mobility implications of Alzheimer’s disease and apply this to evidence-based clinical decision-making in PT practice
3. Recognize the effectiveness and clinical applications of nonpharmacological interventions such as music therapy, acupuncture, game-based therapy, cognitive training, and structured exercise in the management of Alzheimer’s disease
4. Identify physical therapy techniques, including cuing, mirroring, task breakdown, and muscle training that promote safe mobility, maintain function, and support independence across the stages of Alzheimer’s disease
5. Recognize the importance of caregiver and family education, seating and assistive device selection, and coordination with support services to enhance quality of life and optimize caregiving for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease

Course Date: 2026-02-13

Content License

Our courseware includes the text content found on our websites as well as video, audio, and exam questions that make up our courses. You can link to and access our courseware free of charge for personal use. You may not modify or redistribute our courseware under any circumstances.

Although we allow free access for personal use, you may not use our courseware for any commercial purposes without an agreement in place. This includes (but is not limited to) using our courseware for internal training, redistributing our courseware for sale, and copying all or parts of any of our courseware.

If you're interested in licensing our content for commercial purposes or have any other questions, please contact legal@edcompassedu.com.

Proprietary Interest Policy

We will disclose, in advance, any proprietary interest in any product, instrument, device, service, or material to be discussed during the learning event, as well as the source of any third-party compensation related to the presentation. This policy applies to both our organization and contractors. If such proprietary/financial interests exist, we will publish a disclaimer in marketing or instructional materials for a course.

No conflict of interest or relevant financial relationship was identified for this learning activity for individuals in a position to control content.

System Requirements

In order to view this course, you will need to be able to view a PDF document for the course material. If your device doesn't have the capability to view a PDF, you can click here to download Adobe Acrobat for free.

Special Needs

If you require ADA or other special needs accommodations, please contact us by email: support@flextherapistceus.com or by phone 1-800-413-9636, so arrangements can be made.

‹ Return to Courses