Dementia Care Certificate: A Comprehensive Walk Through Caring for Someone With Dementia

The 18-hour program provides families and friends of someone diagnosed with dementia, home health professionals, nurses, social workers, registered dietitians, nursing home and assisted living administrators (or any interested person) with in-depth training and knowledge of dementia. The course brings insight into the experiences and perceptions of those who suffer from dementia, and gives thorough training on how to provide care in the least restrictive manner. Topics covered include behavior demystification; activities to improve quality of life and prolong independence; assessment for depression and delirium in those who can no longer verbally express what they are feeling; and most importantly how to connect through healing touch, music, and non-verbal communication. Resources for community assistance and support, grief and loss, and caring for the caregiver are included to provide a comprehensive class to support anyone caring for those with dementia.

This course was developed through a grant from the International Longevity Society and funded through MetLife.

To improve the quality of life for persons with dementia regardless of the setting and provide caregivers with the insight and tools needed for the care they provide.

The Dementia Care Certificate program has improved practices in skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and additionally has resolved countless problems for family and home caregivers.

To date, this program has trained nearly 600 people in the K.C. metro area. This training has translated to changed practices in skilled nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and additionally has resolved countless problems for family and home caregivers. The course won Innovation of the Year award in 2010 at the National Council for Continuing Education Training (NCCET).