Forget Me Not: A Training on Managing Alzheimer’s Challenging Behavior By: Nada Sattar
The Education and Training Department conducted its CPD activity on Alzheimer’s last September 19, 2025 highlighting the importance of Alzheimer’s awareness and managing strategies of Nurses and other healthcare professionals. The Speakers of this activity were Dr. Ken Lesteriyani Sulis, Head of Education Department, Alzheimer’s Association Indonesian Chapter Doha, Qatar and Ahmed Mohamed Younis Mohamed, a Clinical Nurse Specialist of Older Adults and Mental Health Services. Prior the activity, participants arrived early and signed-in during registration period and collect necessary materials such as pen and paper for the interactive sessions. At the beginning of the program, participants stood for the singing of national anthem followed by the COI declarations by the Moderator and emphasizing the objectives of the activity.
This was then followed by pre-test session where participants actively participated to gauge their knowledge and understanding of Alzheimer’s prior the conduct of lecture discussion. After this, the first speaker, Dr. Ken was introduced by Dr. Agga, the Head of the Education Department and CPD coordinator of Qatar Care. Dr. Ken began her lecture discussion by identifying the different causes and triggers of aggression in Alzheimer’s. After which, she also demonstrated appropriate de-escalation techniques that could help healthcare professionals in handling aggressive patients.
An interactive activity was then conducted by Dr. Ken and facilitated by Dr. Agga and the SPC team. The participants were divided into four groups to discuss case scenarios for 15 minutes and they were given time for each group to explain their observations and management techniques learned from the de-escalation strategies.
In the second session after the prayer/breaktime, the second speaker, Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Younis Mohamed was introduced by Dr. Agga. Mr. Ahmed discussed on the evidence-based strategies to manage challenging behaviors according to clinical practices and demonstrated effective communication techniques within multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated Alzheimer’s care. After his discussion, an interactive activity was conducted to which participants actively participated and shared their experiences on Alzheimer’s patient care with their fellow participants.
Before the end of the activity, the SPC awarded the Speakers together with the Operations Manager and the Resident Physician of Qatar Care. This was followed by the closing remarks and sharing of insights by Ms. Bea, the Operations Manager of Qatar Care to which she said: “Alzheimer’s may take away memories, but it must never take away dignity. As healthcare professionals, let us not only treat the illness but also honor the person behind it because every patient deserves to be remembered with compassion.” After this insightful closing, the participants left the venue with enhanced knowledge and understanding on Alzheimer’s after signing out and evaluating the activity.
