P2‐396: It's Never Too Early to Learn: A School‐Based Brain Health Curriculum to Enhance Dementia‐Related Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors

Abstract

improvement at discharge (n ¼ 120). Ninety-two percent for which the safety score indicated safety risk at evaluation (n ¼ 142), showed decreased risk at discharge (n ¼ 131). Of the 146 problem areas identified by caregivers, the majority (n ¼ 95, 65%) were related to behavioral symptoms, of which 93% were reduced or eliminated. Overall, at discharge caregivers reported increased confidence in handling most problem areas (n ¼ 140, 96%) with less upset (n ¼ 128, 88%). Readiness to implement care strategies improved in 89% of the caregivers. Conclusion: Implementation of Skills2Care in a home-based OT intervention showed positive outcomes. Sustainability is possible through Medicare Part B reimbursement. Occupational therapists are uniquely qualified to provide caregiver training while optimizing function and safety for the person with dementia.Background: It is estimated that 250,000 children and young adults in the U.S. provide care to family members with dementia[1]. Research increasingly demonstrates that lifestyle choices throughout life affect later brain health. This knowledge provided the impetus for the Wisconsin Departments of Health Services and Public Instruction to develop the Brain Health curriculum. The purpose of this presentation is to describe the curriculum, summarize the results of a pilot study implementing the curriculum, and discuss implications for the future. Using an inquiry-based approach to curriculum development in partnership with the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute, the Wisconsin Music and MemoryÔ program, and the Clark Street Community School, the Brain Health unit was created to help youth understand dementia and how to reduce their own risk of developing dementia. The curriculum helps to reduce the stigma of dementia, and provides insight into effective communication strategies and responses to behavioral symptoms. The unit also includes information on the effect of music on the brain, and how a love of music can be a connection between generations. The pilot took place at the Clark Street Community School in Middleton, Wisconsin in the spring of 2015 with a seminar of twenty-three high school students. The seminar occurred three days per week over a three-week period. Classroom material was supplemented with community engagement activities, including a visit to the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center to learn directly from researchers; and to a skilled nursing facility to learn directly from people with dementia. Learning outcomes showed the students' understanding of normal aging and dementia improved. The educators providing the seminar also improved in their understanding of these topics. Results from our initial piloting of the Brain Health unit are encouraging: the teacher found it easy to incorporate into his seminar, students enjoyed the materials and found them relevant, and students demonstrated improvements in outcomes targeted by the curriculum. Future directions include incorporating the curriculum in other subjects (e.g., health, physical education, or psychology) and...