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About professional training
The Alzheimer's Association is committed to helping professionals improve their knowledge and skills, build stronger teams and deliver better care to people with dementia and their families. Our training and education programs are geared to professionals working in both community-based and residential care settings.
Our programs and meetings have been attended by activity professionals, administrators, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers and staff trainers. Programs are conducted by experts in the field of dementia care. Many of our programs offer CEUs.
For more information about our professional dementia training programs, contact us at 1.800.272.3900.
Training programs
Activity Based Alzheimer's Care
The Activity Based Alzheimer Care program is designed for activity professionals working with individuals with dementia in all care settings. The objective of good activity programming is not only to serve the best interests of the participants but also make activities a rewarding experience for both the person with Alzheimer’s disease and activity professionals.
Program participants will learn:
- The program’s fundamental components
- Effective assessment and care planning
- Identify program design options and methods for implementation
- Adapt activities and the environment to meet individual’s needs
- Methods of evaluating new and current programs
- Implement the aspects of teamwork plans
The training program meets the criteria for seven hours of continuing education from the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP). Professional continuing education certificates will be issued at the end of the program. The program also meets the criteria for .6 CEUs from the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA).
Consultation ServicesOur staff of dementia experts is available for consulation, both on and off-site. Our professional staff can provide staff observation and evaluation. Our goal is to improve the quality of care your team delivers and the quality of life of your residents.
In addition, our Kirkpatrick Day Program in Syracuse is a training site for home and facility aides, social workers, nurses and medical students. Professionals will work one-on-one or in small groups with individuals experiencing the early or middle stages of dementia.
Facility Based Dementia Training
Caring for individuals with dementia requires in-depth training to not only understand the disease, but why a person may behave a particular way. Our facility dementia training program covers the basics of dementia, while providing insight on interacting with individuals who have Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Our program goals are to enhance the quality of life for residents, provide the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to create appropriate practices, through and humane for the person with Alzheimer’s or related dementias.
The facility training program is broken into one-hour modules:
- Introduction to Alzheimer’s and dementia: Medical information about AD and related dementias and their relationship to clients served by the nursing home and special care units; how to recognize many of the early signs of AD; treatments available to early and middle stage patients
- Communication: How communication changes for the person with dementia during the course of the disease; methods to enhance communication.
- Behaviors: Identify the underlying causes of behaviors which are problematic for the caregiver and to tailor responses accordingly.
- Personal Care: Discuss how personal hygenic care changes for an individual with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
- Activities: Basic activities planning and programming specific Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Specialized modules are also available for discussion of issues specific to your facility:
- Developmental Disabilities and Dementia: Dementia shows a higher prevelance in people with developmental disabilities. A discussion of care practices, communication and behaviors for these residents.
- Dementia Safety: Why people with dementia wander; identify safety issues and prevention methods.
- Early-Stage Alzheimer’s: How to care for those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s; build methods of communication; understand treatments available.
This program can be custom designed for your facility’s staff and needs. Participants will be awarded certificates following the completion of the program.
DVD Training Program
Behavior Management for Dementia Care
A one of a kind resource for professionals and family members caring for someone with dementia. Learn more about the DVD by visiting our DVD mini-site.
Web-based training programs
CARES: A Dementia Caregiving Approach
This affordable, Web-based program has six one-hour training modules that are geared primarily to direct care workers, particularly nursing assistants. Each module uses text and streaming video to illustrate how to best care for people with dementia living in residential care settings. Topics include:
- Clara Jones and her Care Team
- Introduction to Dementia
- Understanding Behavior as Communication
- Making a Connection with the Resident
- Eating Well
- Recognizing Pain
For a description of the modules, pricing plans and a free demo, go to http://www.caresprogram.com
Dementia Care Training for Team Leaders
This program provides guidance for those who supervise others involved in the care of people with dementia: nurses, unit coordinators, administrators, activity directors or others in leadership positions. After this training you will be able to:
- Identify and implement methods to facilitate teamwork.
- Select and use improved communication and supervisory practices.
- Identify techniques and deliver meaningful feedback to members of your team.
- Recognize and create an environment that motivates staff.
