Alzheimer's/Dementia Staff Training:
Facility provides in-depth education upon hire, annually, and as needed for all staff that focus on the Key Components which enables staff to provide appropriate dementia care such as:
Person-Centered Care:
Focusing on the individual’s preferences, strengths, and needs rather than just their limitations.
Communication Skills:
Techniques for effective interaction, such as giving residents sufficient time to process information and avoiding direct contradictions.
Behavioral Management:
Training to understand the causes of behavioral symptoms and using non-pharmacological interventions.
Safety Measures:
Training in fall prevention, environmental modifications, and recognizing distress signals.
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs):
Strategies for supporting independence in bathing, dressing, and dining.
Dementia Care Education Topics for Staff
About Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) are progressive neurological conditions that affect memory, behavior, judgment, and daily functioning. This course provides an overview of the most common forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and frontotemporal dementia, along with their key signs and symptoms. Learners will gain foundational skills for effective communication, recognition of behavioral and personality changes, and supportive approaches to assisting with activities of daily living. Emphasis is placed on person-centered care practices that promote safety, dignity, and meaningful engagement for individuals living with ADRD.
Challenging Behaviors and Direct Care Staff
Dementia is a common chronic condition affecting older adults. Some individuals with dementia experience behaviors such as restlessness, wandering, agitation, physical aggression, and shouting. This course discusses how to prevent and manage these types of behaviors. It also discusses factors affecting the behaviors of individuals with dementia. Without knowledge of dementia and management of dementia-related behaviors, the quality of life of individuals with dementia declines. The goal of this course is to educate direct care workers in post-acute care settings on identifying and managing challenging behaviors in older adults with dementia.
CMS Hand in Hand Module 1
CMS Hand in Hand Module 2
CMS Hand in Hand Module 3
CMS Hand in Hand Module 4
CMS Hand in Hand Module 5
These training modules focus on caring for residents with dementia and on preventing abuse. CMS, supported by a team of training developers and subject matter experts, created this training to address the need for nurse aides’ in-service training on these important topics. The mission of the Hand in Hand training is to provide a high-quality training program that emphasizes person-centered care in the care of persons with dementia and the prevention of abuse.
Dementia Care: Art and Music Interventions
Older adults with dementia lose many abilities and memories. However, through music and art, they can often still connect with their pasts and with the people around them. This course discusses how to use music and art to connect with the people you care for. It also discusses how music and art support the mental and emotional well-being of older adults with dementia. The goal of this course is to educate direct care workers and activity professionals in post-acute care settings on the use of music and art therapy to meet the psychological needs of individuals with dementia.
Dementia Care: Managing Challenging Behaviors
People living with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, or ADRD, often have challenging behaviors. All behavior has meaning. Although there is no way to prevent all behaviors, there are ways to decrease their occurrence.
