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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. Many of our programs offer CEUs. Costs for attending programs are free or minimal. Below is a list of the professional training programs available. For detailed information about these programs, please consult the 2012-2013 Education Calendar.
Training programs
Alzheimer's Research Forum
This program addresses the major areas of focus in Alzheimer's research including an overarching summary of research directions as well as a discussion of specific studies going on in the Kansas City area.
Building Effective skills Training (B.E.S.T)
A 5-hour course designed specifically for nursing assistants in long term care and community settings. Course covers the 5 dementia topics mandated for providers in the state of Missouri, including disease overview, communication, behaviors, promoting independence and working with families. Participants will receive a certificate of attendance.
Caregiver Conferences, Making Life Better:
A program discussing communication issues, importance of purpose, structure and engagement for the person with a dementia jointly offered by the Alzheimer's Association and the East Central Area Agency on Aging.
Caring and Coping Caregiver Conference
Exercising for the Brain)
This program explores ways to keep your brain healthy as you age.
Let's Talk About Memory Loss
English and Spanish options are available.
Defining Hope Conference
Keynote speaker, Eileen Chichin, R.N., Research Institute on Aging, New York, NY. Breakout sessions will include information on grief, activities, nutrition and medication considerations.
Plus Dementia
This program discusses special issues and considerations when the person with a dementia has a prior mental health issue as well as when the caregiver has mental health issues.
Spring Into Activities
Keynote speaker: Jan Doherty, Cincinnati, Ohio, "A Calendar Year of Horticultural Therapy: Tending to Soul"
The Advocacy Articles: Aging, Dementia and the Social Work Code of Ethics
The Neuropsychiatric Challenges of Dementia
The Spirit Within
Train the Trainer
This program is geared for the educators and trainers in long term care and other health related agencies and addresses variables and tips in setting up dementia care training programs for staff. Participants are expected to already possess a basic understanding of the process of dementing illnesses and the care of individuals with dementia.
For more information on the direct services that the Heart of America Chapter offers individuals with dementia and their care partners, follow the links below:
For You The Person with Alzheimer's
For Families and Care Partners
Individualized In-House Training
The Alzheimer's Association also offers individualized in-house trainings for facilities and community agencies. Choose from more than 30 topics including disease overview, neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia, behavior issues, communications, promoting independence, and end of life issues. Contact Michelle Niedens at 913.831.3888 or michelle.niedens@alz.org to schedule a training.
Cost: $100.00 for up to 4 hours; $200 for 4 to 8 hours.
Heart of America Chapter Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia Guide Now Available for Purchase
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia: A Visual Guide to Response Considerations by Michelle Niedens, LSCSW. This user-friendly guide was developed by the Alzheimer's Association Heart of America Chapter Director of Education and Public Policy and has been reviewed by dementia experts from around the country. In a decision tree format, it provides evidence-based intervention suggestions for a wide range of neuropsychiatric challenges, such as wandering, depression, and resistance to daily care.
The cost of the guide is $20. Purchase the Guide online.
