Activity Based Alzheimer's Care Facility training programs Web-based training

About professional training

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.

Activity Based Alzheimer's Care

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 Chapter holds ABAC trainings 2-3 times  per year. Contact us at cny-programs@alz.org to join our ABAC mailing list.

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As Central New York’s leading Alzheimer and dementia care organization, the Alzheimer’s Association is uniquely positioned to train your staff on the challenges they will face. Our team of dementia experts provides relevant, practical strategies to increase the productivity and knowledge of your staff.

Tier I Training (1½ hours)
Audience: All functional staff, including executive and administrative teams, nursing, social work and admissions, direct care, recreation/activities, dietary, housekeeping, and maintenance.
Purpose: An intensive training designed for professional caregivers to provide an understanding of dementia and the individual needs of residents. Staff members will become familiar with the terms dementia and Alzheimer’s and the problematic changes that disrupt daily life.

Learning Objectives:

• Know the basics of Alzheimer’s disease, in a format designed for facility staff, including the stages, progression and risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, how the brain works, and which functions of the brain are affected. 
• Differentiate between normal aging and cognitive impairment, as well as approved treatments. 
• Inform staff of caregiver support services available from the Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter, including information and referral, support groups and clinical trial matching.

Tier II Training (5 hours)
Audience: Direct care, social work and admissions, nursing, recreation/activities and dietary.
Purpose: A five-part extension of Tier I, with expanded detail on the most difficult challenges faced by facility staff.

Learning Objectives: 

• Communicate successfully, including techniques like how to make a connection, read body language, maintain eye contact and minimize distractions.
• Manage challenging behaviors, including why behaviors occur and how to safely manage them. A three-step behavioral management model is discussed.
• Enhance mealtimes, including proper nutrition and enrich the meal time experience. Staff will be encouraged to use their knowledge of resident’s preferences and history to improve nutrition and hydration.
• Prevent falls while preserving mobility and independence, and promoting safety.
• Connect on a personal level, including how to engage residents in simple activities and meaningful interactions.

Tier III Training (2½ hours)
Audience: Direct care staff and nursing.
Purpose: Dementia’s effect on day-to-day life means a new subset of challenges for direct care staff. Staff will learn about Alzheimer and dementia safety tactics and dealing with challenges related to activities of daily living.

Learning Objectives: 

• Understand wandering and safety, including how to recognize and assess wandering, and ways to prevent unsafe wandering.
• Provide activities of daily living, including how to provide low anxiety assistance with ADLs. Training focuses on the resident and not the task, adapting processes as needed and coaching residents to be successful, independent and promote confidence.