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Based on interviews with direct care staff in 41 assisted living care facilities and nursing homes, researchers concluded that workers who perceive themselves to be better trained in dementia care are more likely to espouse person-centered care, report more job satisfaction, and to have reduced incidence of turnover.
Reference: Zimmerman S et al. (2005). Attitudes, stress, and satisfaction of staff who care for residents with dementia. The Gerontologist, 45 Spec No 1(1):96-105.)
About the Institute
The Professional Training Institute is devoted to helping professionals improve their knowledge and skills, builder stronger teams and deliver better care to people with dementia and their families. 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. All of our programs offer Continuing Education Units (CEU's) and are taught by our highly qualified and experienced staff, in coordination with The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Continuing Education Institute of Illinois and SolutionSight, Inc.
We gratefully acknowledge our Founding Partners; the Family of Kathleen Beazley.
Training programs
Best Friends™ Approach to Dementia Care: A Two-day Train-the-Trainer Program
The Alzheimer Association, in cooperation with David Troxel and Virginia Bell, authors of The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Care and The Best Friends Staff, is now offering staff of organizations in Illinois to become educators in the Best Friends™ Approach. This comprehensive, licensed curriculum will provide your organization with the tools you need to deliver a best practice program in dementia care to both professional and family caregivers.
Illinois Dementia Care: A One-day Train-the-Trainer Program
This full day program is primarily for staff in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities and meets the initial requirement for Alzheimer training mandated by the State of Illinois. The fee includes continental breakfast, lunch and a training manual and a CD with PowerPoint slides and handouts. This is a solid orientation to dementia care. We present this program in partnership with the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Advanced Topics in Alzheimer’s Care: A One-day Train-the-Trainer Program
This new and innovative staff-training program uses case studies, games, role playing, and group exercises to bring eight in-services alive for direct care staff of residnetial care facilities and community-based organizations. The program covers: 1) Person-centered care, 2) Communicating through music, 3) Bathing, 4) Intimacy & sexuality, 5) Reducing resistive behavior, 6) Preventing falls, 7) End of life care, and 8) Spirituality
Advanced Topics in Alzheimer's Care: A Half-day Train-the-Trainer Program
This half-day, train-the-trainer program focuses on meeting the learning needs of direct care staff of residential care facilities and community-based organizations. The program covers the following topics and builds upon the Best Friends Approach to Dementia Care: 1) Making Mealtimes Matter, 2) Coming and Going: Understanding Exit-Seeking, 3) Recognizing and Reporting Pain, and, 4) Communicating through Storytelling. The fee includes continental breakfast, a training manual with PowerPoint slides and handouts on a CD.
Activity Based Alzheimer Care: Building a Therapeutic Program
This full day program is about how to design, implement and evaluate a comprehensive program of activity-based care to engage people with dementia in more enriching and meaningful ways. The fee includes continental breakfast, lunch and a manual.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers: A Train-the-Trainer Program. This evidenced-based, two and one-half day training program provides professionals with the skills needed to facilitate six, two and one-half hour or six, 90 min. educational sessions for family caregivers. This program equips caregivers with the tools needed to increase their self-care and ability to handle difficult situations, manage their emotions and make difficult decisions. CEUs are available for Activity Directors, Counselors, Nursing Home Administrators, OTs, PTs, RNs, and Social Workers for an additional fee.
Multi-Disciplinary Certificate Program in Dementia Care
This program for a multi-disciplinary audience provides up-to-date information and skill development about assessment, care, and management of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. A host of experts will offer psychological, theoretical, social, legal and therapeutic perspectives that focus on practical application. Attendance at five (5) of the six (6) sessions plus completion of self-study exercises is required to earn the Certificate in Professional Continuing Education in Dementia Assessment, Care, and Management and college credit. Continuing Education Units will be awarded for actual hours in attendance. Click here to view program agenda and speakers.
Alzheimer Support Group Facilitator Training
ALZHEIMER SUPPORT GROUPS are regularly scheduled in-person or virtual gatherings of people with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders, their family, friends, or caregivers. This half-day training will prepare you to facilitate an Alzheimer support group.
Direct-Care Staff Training
On Site training
Our staff offers training programs on a variety of topics and that can be customized to suit the learning needs of staff in your care setting. For more information about on site training, please contact us at 847.933.2413 or susan.rothas@alz.org.
Products and resources
Flyers and brochures are available at no cost or low cost and some books are available for purchase that may be useful in your work with people with dementia and their families. Also, a training package we developed for educating families of people in the early stages of dementia is available for purchase.
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 that 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, the pricing plans and a free demo, go to http://www.caresprogram.com/. Receive a 15% discount through the Greater Illinois Chapter. Call 847.933.2413 for more information.
Learning Academy Online Training
This training program educates administrative, healthcare, activities, and social service staff on different aspects of dementia care. Eight self-paced modules are now available and more modules will be added soon. The fee is $20 per module and topics include:
- Overview of Dementia (2 CEUs)
- Communication (1 CEU)
- Medications for Behavioral Problems (3 CEU)
- Managing Difficult Behaviors (1 CEU)
- Working With Families (1 CEU)
- Elder Abuse Reporting Laws (1 CEU)
- Personal Care & Special Needs (1 CEU)
- Activities (2 CEU)
All participants receive a Certificate of Completion. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are also awarded to licensed nursing home administrators, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and counselors who complete a post-test with a passing grade (70%) and submit an evaluation. For more details and to register, go to: http://www.alzladementiatraining.org/
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 team work.
- Select and use improved communication and supervisory practices
- Identify techniques and deliver feedback to members of your team.
- Recognize and create an environment that motivates staff.
This course costs $25 per person and volume discounts are available. For a free demo and to register, go to: https://www5.myvlp.com/landing/alz/index.php?client_id=3759
Educational Seminars & Conferences
Seminars and conferences are devoted to the latest medical and social research, as well as best practices for people with dementia and their families. Whether you are a professional working for a community-based agency or a residential care setting, you can keep abreast of the latest developments in research and care. See calendar for dates and times.
July 8, 2009 | Chicago - Videoconference: Bloomington, Carterville and Joliet offices
Pain Assessment and Management in Dementia Care
More details >>
July 16, 2009 | Chicago - Video Conference: Bloomington, Carterville, Joliet, Rockford and Springfield offices
Ethical Decision-Making
More details >>
July 30, 2009 | Chicago - Videoconference: Springfield, Bloomington and Carterville offices
Dealing with Challenging Families
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August 12, 2009 | Chicago - Videoconference: Bloomington
Palliative Care in the Late and Final Stages of Dementia
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August 26, 2009 | Chicago - Videoconference: Springfield
Put Downs and Uplifts in Dementia Care
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September 21, 2009 | Northfield
World Alzheimer’s Day
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November 5, 2009 | Elk Grove Village
Staying Safe with Alzheimer's and Related Dementias
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January 14, 2010 | Lombard
Ethical Decision-Making
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May 4, 2010 | Chicago - Videoconference: Bloomington
Palliative Care in the Late and Final Stages of Dementia
More details >>
