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Eastern Tennessee Chapter
Professional Training
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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.

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Training programs

Caring & Coping - “Together We Make a Difference”

Caregiver training sessions are open to health professionals, as well as family members and caregivers of those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Sessions typically last from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and will cover a variety of topics including an overview of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, caregiver guilt, spirituality, and personal care issues.

The full-day training will include all handouts as well as a morning snack and lunch. Conference fees are $20 for family care partners and $40 for professional care partners (professional fee includes CEU’s for administrators of residential homes for the aged as well as assisted living facilities). Registration is required for the program.

Visit the calendar page to view scheduled sessions. Or call the Alzheimer’s Association at (865) 544-6288 to register or for more information.

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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.
This course costs $25 per person and volume discounts are available. For a free demo and to register, go to: The Dementia Care Training for Team Leaders site.

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Recognizing Top Caregivers

Caring Hearts Recognition Program

Oftentimes Certified Nursing Assistants, Personal Care Assistants, and Residential Assistants provide the most basic care to those in area facilities and homes who suffer from dementia.  The Alzheimer's Association knows that many of these caregivers do outstanding work in this difficult endeavor, and yet sometimes remain unrecognized.

Each spring, the Eastern Tennessee Chapter asks area faciliies -- including long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities with dementia units, adult day programs and home health agencies -- to nominate one staff member who has provided outstanding care to those with cognitive impairment. The Alzheimer’s Association annually honors these “unsung” caregivers at our Caring Hearts Recognition Program. The goal is to ensure that every dedicated CNA, PCA and RA receives the praise and thanks he or she so richly deserves.  Nominees and their family members, along with representatives from their facilities, enjoy a luncheon designed to highlight their distinguished achievements in caring for those who suffer from dimentia and Alzheimer's disease.

With the help of WBIR's Robin Wilhoit, WIVK's Gunner, and entertainer James Rogers, the Alzheimer's Association honored a record number of Caring Hearts at the 2009 Recognition Program in Knoxville. Seventy-one caregivers from 15 counties were awarded pins, plaques, and sincere gratitude.

Click HERE to view photos from the April 30, 2009 event.

Click HERE to download and view the honorees' names and how those who nominated the honorees describe them.


Seminars and conferences

     Annual Alzheimer's Disease Symposium

The Eastern Tennessee Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association and its respected partners bring together leading researchers from several states each year to share their expertise and latest findings on treatments and diagnoses for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. 

Participants attending the two-day Symposium will understand the current trends in Alzheimer’s Disease research, with particular focus on molecular basis and epidemiology. Following the event, they will also be able to identify the current approaches to managing the dementia patient, define the overlaps between Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and recognize the current and future impact of the Alzheimer’s disease epidemic.

Typically more than 150 participants take part, including family medicine physicians, internal medicine physicians, neurologists, psychologists, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, PAs, nurses, nursing home administrators and medical directors, adult day program leadership, assisted living leadership, and social workers

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