Educational Resources

This is a resource library of educational resources on dementia. There’s so much information out there and it’s hard to know what to trust. These resources have been reviewed by local subject matter experts and added to this searchable and filterable library for your convenience.

Much thanks to Dr. Kevin Kawamoto, the University of Hawai’i Center on Aging, and the Workforce Development workgroup members for putting together this Master Curriculum. The curriculum was designed with an “a la carte” model in mind, allowing educators and trainers to choose which items would be most suitable and appropriate for their particular audiences. Click here for the full document or scroll down to search for the topic you’d like to learn about.

Resource Library

Other Resources

10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

  • Types: Early Detection
  • Prevention Level: Secondary
  • Material Type: Literature
  • Source:

    Alzheimer’s Association

10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

  • Types: Early Detection
  • Prevention Level: Secondary
  • Material Type: Literature
  • Source:

    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

10 Ways to Love Your Brain

  • Types: Brain Health and Prevention
  • Prevention Level: Primary
  • Material Type: Literature
  • Source:

    Alzheimer’s Association

A Few Words from Harvey and William, Two Alzheimer’s Patients.

  • Types: Case Studies
  • Prevention Level: Tertiary
  • Material Type: Video
  • Source:

    Johnson & Johnson

A Guide to Psychosocial Interventions in the Early Stages of Dementia

  • Types: Psychosocial Interventions
  • Prevention Level: Tertiary
  • Material Type: Literature
  • Source:

    The British Psychological Society

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Prevention Levels

The three points of prevention, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are:

Primary Prevention

Primary Prevention — or risk reduction — strives to intervene before health effects occur, through measures such as promoting healthy and safe behaviors (e.g., eating well, exercising regularly, not smoking), mandating safe and healthy practices (e.g., use of seatbelts and bike helmets), and limiting exposure to factors associated with a disease or health condition (e.g., asbestos, lead and mercury).

Secondary Prevention

Secondary Prevention — or early detection and diagnosis — aims to identify diseases in the earliest stages, before the onset of more severe symptoms (e.g., increasing awareness of symptoms, promoting early diagnosis and educating health care providers about the benefits of early diagnosis and intervention strategies).

Tertiary Prevention

Tertiary Prevention — or management of comorbidities — involves managing disease post diagnosis to minimize negative health and quality of life effects. Comorbidities occur when a person has more than one disease or condition at the same time.  Tertiary prevention is also important when thinking about caregivers, who are influential in managing care and reducing complications, sometimes at the expense of their own health.

“There are opportunities for public health intervention across the dementia life course. The public health community can intervene across the points of prevention — primary, secondary and tertiary — to impact the brain health of the population. The figure shows the potential impact of the different prevention points throughout the continuum of dementia.

Public health action is critical to reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment, improve access to early detection and diagnosis and improve the safety and quality of care for people living with dementia… In early life and throughout the life course, primary prevention can make a difference in sustaining cognitive function across a population.” For those with Mild Cognitive Impairment, “secondary prevention in the form of early detection and diagnosis is paramount.” “Tertiary prevention strategies can connect the person living with dementia to treatment and support services to help preserve their independence and quality of life for as long as possible.”

– Healthy Brain Initiative: State and Local Road Map for Public Health, 2023-2027

Resources on Dementia for Children

Witnessing a loved one going through changes associated with dementia can be confusing, scary, and alienating for a child, especially when adults don’t effectively communicate what’s going on.

Dr. Kevin Kawamoto compiled a list of children’s book titles with descriptions provided on Amazon.com so that adults can review possible materials that would be suitable for helping to start a conversation with their keiki about dementia.

Learn More

Support Groups & Upcoming Events

September 18th from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Care Home ECHO Series: Let Food Be Thy Medicine

Come learn from experts and other professionals on how to give better care for our kūpuna! This Care Home ECHO Series is a monthly Zoom webinar on the third Thursdays […]

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September 22nd from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Relationship-Based Dementia Care: Gain Permission Regardless of Cognition (Part 2)

When individuals are living with dementia, especially when they are having challenges with verbal communication, it may sometimes seem difficult to tell if they are providing their permission for care. […]

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September 23rd from 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Gimme-A-Break Caregiver Support Group

Gimme A Break offers free support, resources and more through our Weekly Support Sessions, online and in-person every Tuesday evening Join our Community! Do it for you! You are never […]

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