MDCV_Memory_Care_Veterans

Course Description and Competencies

What to Expect

In this course, you will work through two modules. These modules are broken into smaller units. Studying this material will build your skills in veteran-centered memory care. Throughout the course, you will find readings, videos, and a variety of interactive elements. At the end of each unit, you will be able to check your understanding of the material with optional quizzes called Lightning Rounds. Engaging with these activities can reinforce new learning. It also complements the knowledge you bring to this area of study.

Course Competencies

This course covers the following competencies:

The student analyzes veteran-specific factors that influence dementia presentation and care priorities.
The student applies veteran-centered principles to support dementia care within military, veteran, and community contexts.

Assessment

You must achieve a ranking of Competent on each assessment to pass the course. You may attempt the assessment two times before additional support is necessary. If you require further attempts, please contact your Student Experience Team.

1 Final Project

2 Competency Units

Course Outline

Module	Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:
Dementia Presentation and Care	Explain how military culture influences care preferences and trust. Apply veteran background factors to adjust dementia care priorities. Differentiate dementia-related cognitive decline from TBI/PTSD- and trauma-associated behavioral responses in veterans when interpreting care scenarios. Evaluate care goals for veterans with dementia by integrating military history, health status, and patient-defined values into safety, autonomy, and dignity priorities. Develop a veteran-centered care priority framework that supports decision-making across inpatient, outpatient, or long-term care contexts.
Dementia Support in Practice	Apply trauma-informed, veteran-centered communication strategies that build trust, reduce perceived threat, and support autonomy during dementia care interactions. Design environmental and routine-based adaptations that reduce trauma triggers and promote emotional safety, orientation, dignity, and safety for veterans with dementia. Evaluate support strategies for veterans with dementia and their care partners by connecting needs to VA, military-affiliated, and community-based resources. Propose coordinated care and caregiver support recommendations that strengthen continuity, resilience, and sustainable dementia care within veteran systems.

Module

Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

Dementia Presentation and Care

Explain how military culture influences care preferences and trust.
Apply veteran background factors to adjust dementia care priorities.
Differentiate dementia-related cognitive decline from TBI/PTSD- and trauma-associated behavioral responses in veterans when interpreting care scenarios.
Evaluate care goals for veterans with dementia by integrating military history, health status, and patient-defined values into safety, autonomy, and dignity priorities.
Develop a veteran-centered care priority framework that supports decision-making across inpatient, outpatient, or long-term care contexts.

Dementia Support in Practice

Apply trauma-informed, veteran-centered communication strategies that build trust, reduce perceived threat, and support autonomy during dementia care interactions.
Design environmental and routine-based adaptations that reduce trauma triggers and promote emotional safety, orientation, dignity, and safety for veterans with dementia.
Evaluate support strategies for veterans with dementia and their care partners by connecting needs to VA, military-affiliated, and community-based resources.
Propose coordinated care and caregiver support recommendations that strengthen continuity, resilience, and sustainable dementia care within veteran systems.

Technology Requirements

We want to be sure you have the tools to succeed! Review the Computer System and Technology Requirements to learn about the technology you'll need. If you have questions about your setup, contact support@academy.wgu.edu.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. If you haven't already, download this free software. You may encounter an interactive form that contains fields that you can select or fill in. Review how to fill in a PDF form.

Key Contacts

Certificate Connect
Check out this online community to take advantage of course resources, including videos and tips from your educators. You can ask and answer questions, provide feedback on your progress, and interact with fellow students. You will find this platform in the Student Resources section of the course. Log on and do some exploring!

Technical Support
If you encounter technical issues, be sure to contact the Help Desk. Just submit a Support Request for assistance.

Program Support
Do you have questions about your account? Student Support has answers. They can help with billing, switching courses, and other requests. You can contact them at (888) 320-0540 or support@academy.wgu.edu.

Accommodations

WGU provides compliant and accessible learning experiences. If you require accommodation, please contact us at the start of the course. You can email disability@academy.wgu.edu.

We are committed to ensuring that all students with disabilities have equal access to WGU's services and materials. We strive to use best practices for accessibility. Our goal is to conform to existing U.S. laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Our learning management system (LMS) platform is Open edX. Open edX’s commitment to accessible content is published in their Website Accessibility Policy.