As I reframe 2020 from a year of much hardship, isolation, and devastation for so many people, I am grateful for many things. I am grateful for the continued health of my family, ability to pay my bills, and the resilience to rebuild my business that ultimately took a dramatic downturn. In rebuilding Alternatives in Alzheimer’s Care, I took this past year to increase my education and knowledge. As a Dementia Specialist, I became a Board-Certified Dementia Educator through the National Institute for Dementia Education.

I would like to introduce you to my newly authored and NIDE certified credentialing curriculum, Essential Skills for Dementia Care™. Essential Skills for Dementia Care results in proven best practices for the delivery of memory care services. Healthcare organizations who provide memory care and prioritize education, hands-on training, and credentialing uphold their mission to provide true person-centered care to people with dementia.

There are many opportunities to partner with Alternatives in Alzheimer’s Care and to adopt the Essential Skills for Dementia Care™ curriculum for your organization. This partnership will begin with an exploratory interview with your healthcare organization at no cost. I want you to learn more about how I can improve the fundamental standards of dementia education for your leadership, direct-care staff, and non-direct care staff. This assessment will allow me to learn more about your organization and memory care services and assure that we share the mission of improving the lives of people with dementia, their families, and care partners.

My Essential Skills for Dementia Care™ curriculum encompasses the most updated research-based dementia training from the National Institute for Dementia Education. I teach the 12-hour curriculum to your designated leader(s,) provide them with two 2-hour practicums, as well as facilitate and proctor the required exam. Leaders who receive a passing score on their exam will receive their credentials as Certified Dementia Care Leaders through the National Institute for Dementia Education. The Certified Dementia Care Leaders are then qualified to teach the direct-care staff and non-direct care staff the Essential Skills for Dementia Care curriculum and be provided with the materials to do so. Direct-care staff will also be required to take an exam. The direct-care staff who pass the exam will obtain their credentials as Certified Dementia Care Partners. Non-direct care staff will receive Certificates of Attendance.

Leadership will learn the most successful tools to become impactful memory care trainers and supervisors for your team. They will be re-enforcing the mission to provide dignified, respectful, and person-centered high-quality care. This is a unique program in that I provide ongoing support to the Certified Dementia Care Leaders throughout the partnership.

This program can also address the extensive need for family and community dementia education. Research shows that dementia education directed at the family results in positive outcomes. This includes decreased behavioral symptoms, improved quality of life for both the person with dementia and the family, and decreased level of care partner burden. Organizations who provide educational opportunities for families of clients and prospective families in the general community collaborate with me to offer the 4-hour Essential Skills for Dementia Care Advocate training. The organization sponsors a session(s) for the family members to attend. They can take a brief exam and receive their credentials as Certified Dementia Care Advocates. The organization will become known for providing this unique family credentialing dementia educational opportunity. Community outreach education like this will ultimately improve your organization’s market visibility and increase positive word-of-mouth.

Please contact me to set up our exploratory interview today.