Training Resources for Dementia Care Providers and Volunteers

Training Resources for Dementia Care Providers and Volunteers

September 2018

Prepared for

Erin Long, MSWAdministration on Aging

Administration for Community Living330 C Street, SW

Washington, DC 20201

Prepared by

Elizabeth Gould, MSW, LCSWPatty Yuen

Donna Walberg, MBARTI International

701 13th Street, NW, Suite 750Washington, DC 20005

Contract # HHSP2332009565IWCAdministration for Community Living

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

ContentsSection Page

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................................. 1

Advance Planning ....................................................................................................................................................................... 1

Other Related Resources ................................................................................................................................................. 1

Activities of Daily Living .......................................................................................................................................................... 2

Other Related Resources ................................................................................................................................................. 2

Dementia Training Series ........................................................................................................................................................ 2

Other Related Resources ................................................................................................................................................. 4

Caregiving ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Other Related Resources ................................................................................................................................................. 5

Understanding Behavioral Symptoms ............................................................................................................................... 6

Other Related Resources ................................................................................................................................................. 6

Diverse Populations and Dementia .................................................................................................................................... 7

People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Dementia ........................................................... 7

Screening Tools ................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Other Related Resources ................................................................................................................................................. 9

People with Dementia Who Live Alone ............................................................................................................................. 9

Other Related Resources .............................................................................................................................................. 10

Aging and Disability Resource Center Training .......................................................................................................... 10

Other Related Resources .............................................................................................................................................. 11

Specific Professional Audiences ........................................................................................................................................ 11

First Responders .............................................................................................................................................................. 12

Hospital and Health Systems Professionals ......................................................................................................... 12

Primary Care Providers ................................................................................................................................................. 12

Middle School and High School Teachers .............................................................................................................. 13

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Dementia Training Resources

IntroductionTraining of dementia care providers and volunteers is important for achieving dementia

capability. Information and referral/assistance staff, options counselors, care managers, home

care providers, other professionals, and volunteers can be trained on how to recognize,

understand, and meet the unique needs of people with dementia and their caregivers. The training

resources in this toolkit were reviewed by the National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource

Center (NADRC). This list of resources is not exhaustive and does not imply endorsement.

The training resources are free of charge and come from a variety of sources including

government, academia, Alzheimer’s disease centers, geriatric workforce education programs, and

others. Other Related Resources sections include supplemental materials that can be used to

extend the learning experience.

Advance PlanningThis section features basic information about advance planning in dementia care including

assessing decision-making capacity, advance health care and financial planning, and supported

decision-making. Other resources that could be used as part of a training are also included in this

section, such as tip sheets, websites, and articles.

• Dementia Conversations: Driving, Doctor Visits, Legal and Financial Planning ,

Alzheimer’s Association. This training provides tips for having the

conversation as a family so you can address some of the most common issues

that are difficult to discuss: going to the doctor for a diagnosis or medical

treatment, deciding when to stop driving, and making legal and financial plans

for future care. (Web-based training)

Other Related Resources• Decision Making and Dementia , Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing. Part of

the Try This® series of tip sheets for hospital nurses, provides principles and

guidelines for evaluating the capacity of people with Alzheimer’s or dementia

to make their own medical decisions. (PDF)

• Living with Dementia: Advance Planning Guides for Persons with Dementia

and Caregivers, National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center. These

guides were developed with consultation from the American Bar Association

Commission on Law and Aging for individuals living with dementia and family

caregivers to assist with advance planning. The guides are concise with

relevant resources and are designed to be easily accessible by individuals with

dementia through use of plain language, color contrast, and illustrated

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drawings. Guides cover Health Care Planning, Planning for Care, Financial

Planning, and Making Decisions for Someone with Dementia. (PDF)

Activities of Daily LivingOver time, an individual living with dementia will require more assistance with activities of daily

living. This section includes online courses, video clips, tip sheets, and support resources for

assisting with activities of daily living.

• Dementia and Driving Resource Center , Alzheimer’s Association. The

Alzheimer’s Association Dementia and Driving Resource Center webpage

provides videos, tips, and other resources on having the conversation, planning

ahead, and signs of unsafe driving. (Multimedia)

• Support Group Leaders Kit on Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia and Driving , The

Hartford. This kit on dementia and driving is for support group leaders to

deliver to caregivers. The kit is a four-session educational workshop on

dementia and driving for delivery by support group leaders to caregivers. The

workshop is designed for practical application. (PDF)

Other Related Resources• Caring Sheets , Michigan Dementia Coalition. The Dementia Care Series, Caring

Sheets: Thoughts & Suggestions for Caring, are edited and produced by Eastern

Michigan University Alzheimer’s Education and Research Program for the

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. A series of concise guides

on a variety of topics including moving people with dementia, safety after hip

surgery, transferring people with dementia, assisting with daily tasks,

interventions geared toward frontotemporal dementia and Lewy body

dementia, and safety. (PDF)

• Preferences for Everyday Living Inventory – Home Care (PELI-HC) © , Polisher

Research Institute, Abramson Center for Jewish Life. This tool is used to

identify personal preferences for everyday living of home care recipients. The

PELI assesses a wide range of activity preferences. The inventory allows a

home care professional, family member, or individual with dementia to

document lifestyle preferences and provide information to paid caregivers to

assist with individualized, person-centered care. Please do not reprint without

permission. (PDF) Contact Kimberly S. Van Haitsma, PhD.

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Dementia Training Resources

Dementia Training SeriesThis section includes comprehensive dementia care training series that cover a variety of topics in

dementia care including understanding Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, behavioral

symptoms, communication techniques, and caregiver support. Video clips and tip sheets are

included that could be used as part of a training.

• Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Curriculum , Health Resources

Services Administration. This 16-module online training for the primary care

workforce provides information about dementia care and helps providers

address caregiver needs. Modules 1-12 contain information about Alzheimer’s

disease and related dementias of particular interest to the primary care

workforce. Modules 13-16 specify the roles of specific health care professions

in dementia care. All 16 core modules include a PowerPoint presentation, with

detailed notes, and a reference list, to assist with teaching and presentations.

Online training also includes 4 supplemental modules for providers in

understanding caregiver needs and 5 modules helping caregivers understand

the symptoms of dementia. The modules focus primarily on outpatient rather

than residential care because the majority of people living with dementia

remain in their homes during the earlier, and some even through later stages,

of dementia.

• Alzheimer’s Training for Health Care Providers , University of Kentucky. This

10-module CE credit course trains health care providers, especially those in

medically underserved areas, in Alzheimer’s disease, non-Alzheimer’s

dementias, diagnosis and treatment, management, and related topics. (Web-

based training)

• Free eLearning Workshops , Alzheimer’s Association. The training offers a

range of web-based workshops that are available to the general public,

caregivers, and professionals working with individuals who have dementia.

The 14 web-based programs cover early detection and warning signs, general

information about dementia, legal and financial planning, living with

Alzheimer’s disease, and information about caregiving for individuals in the

early, middle, and late stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Each web-based training

program is approximately 1 hour in duration. (Web-based training)

• Dementia Curriculum , Act on Alzheimer’s Collaborative, Minnesota. Developed

by leading experts in Minnesota, the 10-module curriculum can stand on its

own or be integrated into existing, complementary education. Topics

addressed include disease description, demographics, societal impact, effective

interactions, cognitive assessment and value of early detection, screening,

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Dementia Training Resources

disease diagnosis, quality interventions, dementia as an organizing principle of

care, and caregiver support. (PowerPoint)

• Dementia Capability webinars , Rosalynn Carter Institute. The Rosalynn Carter

Institute for Caregiving has a series of Dementia Capability Webinars that can

be used to train a variety of professionals, including State Units on Aging, Area

Agencies on Aging, and ADRC staff members. The intended audience is

professionals serving families and individuals with dementia. The topics of the

webinars vary, with an emphasis on building general knowledge about

dementia. Each webinar lasts approximately 1 hour. (Webinar)

• Dementia Capable Wisconsin: Dementia Care Training for Community

Members, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Center for Career Development

and Employability Training and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services,

Division of Long Term Care. Because most people living with dementia reside

in the community, business, government, spiritual, and volunteer organizations

often seek additional information to learn more about how to interact with

community members who are living with dementia. This dementia care

training is designed specifically for community members. (Web-based

training)

• Dementia Friendly Provider Practice Tools and Training Videos , Dementia

Friendly America. Website offers an array of provider practice tools and

training videos under the Tools and Resources section addressing screening,

diagnosis, diagnostic disclosure, and care coordination. (Multimedia)

• Interprofessional Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care , New

Jersey Geriatric Education Center (NJGEC) has a free, five-module, web-based

program on dementia care. The modules cover the interprofessional approach

to assessment and management of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The

series is provided with funding from the Health Resources and Services

Administration and in collaboration with Administration for Community

Living. (Web-based training)

• Living with Dementia: Impact on Individuals, Caregivers, Communities and

Societies, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. This 5-week online course is for

health professionals and students, family caregivers, individuals, and others

interested in learning about dementia. The course begins by examining the

brain of a person with dementia to provide a basic overview of disease

pathology, the stages of dementia, and the trajectory of the illness. The course

addresses quality of life issues for individuals and family members and specific

coping strategies. Throughout the training course, presenters use theoretical

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Dementia Training Resources

and practical frameworks that inform approaches for supporting and caring for

individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. (Web-based training)

• Mental Health and Aging Training Initiative webinar series , Virginia Geriatric

Mental Health Partnership. The Mental Health and Aging Training Initiative

delivers free education and training to enhance geriatric workforce

development and improve communication and service coordination between

mental health and long-term care providers. Webinars offer insight into the

complex needs of older adults with behavioral health issues and provide the

tools and techniques for person-centered interventions using vignettes, case

reviews, and interactive polls. (Web-based training)

Other Related Resources• Frontotemporal Dementia , University of California, Los Angeles. In

collaboration with the Los Angeles Times, the UCLA Behavioral Neurology

program developed a brief video explaining frontotemporal dementia that

features a son with his mother who has frontotemporal dementia. (Video)

• Try This: ® Series , Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing. ConsultGeriRN.org is

the evidence-based geriatric clinical nursing website of The Hartford Institute

for Geriatric Nursing, at New York University’s College of Nursing. Try This:®

Series offers assessment tools on a variety of topics relevant to the care of

older adults. The How to Try This series is composed of articles and videos

presenting cases studies demonstrating the use of the Try This:®series. The

dementia series is focused on tools and strategies in the assessment of older

adults with dementia. These tools can be used by a variety of health

professionals. (Multimedia)

• UCSF Alzheimer’s Disease Center YouTube channel , University of California-

San Francisco. The UCSF YouTube channel has a series of short videos on a

variety of topics including acceptance, activities, meals, patience and

preparation and dental hygiene. (Video)

CaregivingThe majority of people with dementia live in the community and most care is provided by family

and friends. Although the care provided is similar to that for other conditions, those providing

care to a person with dementia tend to provide more extensive assistance, including hands-on

personal care, increased supervision, and responding to behavioral symptoms such as aggression

or wandering. To respond appropriately, providers need to understand the person’s unique needs.

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Dementia Training Resources

• iCareFamily , National Institute on Aging. iCareFamily is a stress management

skills training program for caregivers of individuals with memory problems.

In collaboration with Stanford University, the Alzheimer’s Association and

other organizations created online training videos to help caregivers overcome

stressful situations in the caregiver role. The goal of this program is to teach

skills and provide tools and resources to enhance coping with caregiving and

improve quality of life. (Video)

• Identifying and Supporting Dementia Caregivers in Healthcare Settings ,

National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center. This webinar defines the

challenges and benefits of including family caregivers as members of the health

care team. The presenters discuss the benefits of improving family caregivers’

representation in the electronic health record (EHR) of people living with

dementia; multiple ways in which health care systems could better identify

family caregivers in EHRs and other forms of health IT; and tools care

managers can use to identify, assess and support family caregivers of people

with dementia within health care systems and identify practices that can be

leveraged to improve caregiver identification. (Webinar)

Other Related Resources• Living with Alzheimer’s Disease , American Occupational Therapy Association.

Occupational therapy practitioners help people with Alzheimer’s disease and

their caregivers to live life to its fullest by adapting the environment and

focusing on what they can do to maximize engagement in activity, promote

safety, and enhance quality of life. The tips are in English and Spanish. (PDF)

• Hit Pause: Helping Dementia Families Deal with Anger , Duke Family Support

Program. This 10-page booklet assists professionals when providing practical

help and emotional support to caregivers of people with dementia. It offers

typical scenarios and suggested responses when helping families develop

confidence in their ability to maintain balance under trying circumstances.

(PDF)

Understanding Behavioral SymptomsAs dementia progresses, individuals will communicate their needs through their behavior when

words become too difficult. Person-centered care requires understanding the possible underlying

causes of the behavioral symptoms of dementia and tailoring one’s response so that it meets

individuals’ needs. Underlying causes can be attributed to physical health, psychological and social

well-being, the environment, and the complexity of a task. Applying what is known about

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Dementia Training Resources

individuals such as preferences, daily routine, hobbies, family and friends, and personal history

can contribute to a meaningful response.

• Caregiver Training Videos , UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program. The

website contains brief video segments to help caregivers understand how to

better care for people with dementia. They cover a range of topics including

aggressive behavior, depression and apathy, hallucinations, repetitive phone

calls, sexually inappropriate behaviors, sundowning, and wandering. Each

video features a behavioral issue with the following general format: (1)

behavior of person with dementia with the usual caregiver response; (2)

expert analysis and explanation of behavior with tips to identify and eliminate

triggers and suggestions for redirection; and (3) response of caregiver showing

tips in action.

• Dementia Capable Wisconsin: A Guide for Family Caregivers , Wisconsin

Department of Health Services. The symptoms of dementia include changes in

behavior that can be difficult for family members to understand. This

presentation discusses basic information about dementia and describes

strategies for family caregivers to consider when providing care to someone

who has changes in their behavior as a result of dementia. It also includes

information on how to support family members who are providing care for a

person with dementia and how family caregiver can take care of themselves.

(Web-based training)

Other Related Resources• Caregiver Tip Sheets , Alzheimer’s Greater Los Angeles. A series of plain

language tip sheets on various topics including home safety, bathing, toileting,

medications, getting lost, hallucinations, anger, driving, and communication.

(PDF)

• IDEA! Three Step Strategy , Alzheimer’s Greater Los Angeles. IDEA! is a simple

three-step strategy designed to assist caregivers with understanding a specific

behavior with individualized approaches for addressing it. (PDF)

• Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia: A Visual Guide to Response

Considerations. Alzheimer’s Association, Heart of America chapter and Kansas

Department on Aging. This guide describes common behavioral symptoms,

possible reasons for behaviors and specific interventions. The guide is a brief

reference tool with tabbed sections for professionals working with people with

dementia. (PDF)

• Person-Centered Matters , CCAL Advancing Person Centered Living. A 16-

minute video produced by the Dementia Action Alliance and filmed by a former

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Dementia Training Resources

National Geographic filmmaker. It portrays five people living with dementia

and how person-centered care helps them live more fully. (Video)

Diverse Populations and DementiaThe resources in this section will assist in developing a better understanding of perceptions of

dementia within different cultures and inform a more individualized approach to dementia care

needs among diverse older adults, their families, and other care providers.

• Diverse Populations, Health Disparities and Dementia , National Institute on

Aging and the Administration for Community Living. The National Institute on

Aging and Administration for Community Living, in partnership with grantees

including the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers,

Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center, and the Eldercare Locator

partnered to host a webinar series to improve coordination of resources

available to assist people with Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias and

their family caregivers. This webinar features an overview of diverse

populations, health disparities, and dementia. (Webinar)

• Evidence-Based Interventions for Family Caregivers of Persons with Dementia ,

Stanford Geriatric and Education Center. This webinar provides an overview of

dementia caregiving, experiences of African American, Latino, and Chinese

American dementia family caregivers, various evidence-based dementia family

caregiver interventions and best practices in selecting an intervention, and

components of a culturally sensitive intervention for dementia family

caregivers. Duration of webinar is 1 hour. (Webinar)

People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Dementia

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are affected by Alzheimer’s disease

and related disorders in some of the same ways as the general population. However, because of

the additional genetic and neurological factors, the impact of dementia may be more challenging.

This section provides webinars and online training along with screening tools and other materials.

Many of the resources below focus specifically on Down syndrome.

• Caregiving for People with Dementia and Intellectual and Developmental

Disabilities Including Down Syndrome, National Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Resource Center. Presenters discuss the impact of caring for a family member

with dementia and an intellectual disability, including Down syndrome;

community living providers and their work with people with dementia and

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Dementia Training Resources

intellectual disabilities, including Down syndrome; and the perspectives of a

family caregiver on the challenges of caring for a family member with dementia

and Down syndrome. (Webinar)

• Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and Dementia , National Alzheimer’s

and Dementia Resource Center. Presentation from this September 2015

webinar addresses similarities and differences in warning signs and symptoms

for the general population and individuals with IDD with emphasis on Down

syndrome, the philosophy of care, quality of life, models of care, family

caregiver support, care transitions, and common IDD vocabulary. (Webinar)

• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Dementia - Experiences of a

Family Advocate and Promising Practices, National Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Resource Center. Presentation from this February 26, 2015, webinar focuses

on how to best serve the needs of people with IDD and dementia. The

presentation includes background information about the prevalence of IDD

and dementia in the United States, barriers to good dementia care for people

with IDD, and programming models for this population. (Webinar)

• Serving People with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and

Dementia online training, Minnesota Department of Human Services. This

online training is designed to assist case managers and certified assessors

understand the impact that dementia has on those who have IDD; what is

different; how to best support the person, their families, and caregivers; and

best practices. (Web-based training)

Screening Tools• Dementia Screening Questionnaire for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

(DSQIID), University of Birmingham, Division of Neuroscience. The screening

tool is a user-friendly observer-rated questionnaire for screening for dementia

among adults with Down syndrome that can be completed by care providers.

Journal citation: Deb S, Hare M, Prior L, Bhaumik S. Dementia screening

questionnaire for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Br J Psychiatry.

2007 May. 190:440-4. (PDF)

• Early Detection Screen for Dementia (EDSD) , National Task Group (NTG).

Screening tool adapted from Dementia Screening Questionnaire for

Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (DSQIID). The purpose of the NTG-

EDSD is to offer family and professional caregivers a resource to record their

observations regarding changes in areas of cognitive and adaptive functioning

known to be associated with dementia. The screen captures information to

facilitate dialog and aid in shared decision-making. The webpage contains links

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Dementia Training Resources

to the early detection screening tools in various languages and a manual on

how to administer. (PDF)

• Assessment and Diagnosis of Dementia in Individuals with Intellectual

Disability: A Toolkit for Clinicians and Caseworkers, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s

Institute, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. This

toolkit was developed for clinicians and caseworkers who are concerned about

the presence of dementia in their clients with intellectual disability. It

compares the incidence, prevalence, and clinical features of dementia of the

Alzheimer type in adults with ID (with an emphasis on Down syndrome) with

that of the general population and then outlines the modifications to diagnostic

approaches that are needed to improve diagnostic accuracy for adults with ID

potentially affected by dementia. Many neuropsychological assessment

measures that have been developed or adapted for use with adults with ID are

reviewed. (Document)

Other Related Resources• Basic Questions about Adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities

Affected by Alzheimer’s Disease or Other Dementias , National Task Group.

The document addresses questions about Alzheimer’s and related dementias;

dementia and people with IDD; assessment, diagnosis, and treatment;

interacting with health care providers; medications; programs, supports, and

services; nutrition; and end-of-life care. (PDF)

People with Dementia Who Live AlonePeople with dementia who live alone are much less likely than people with dementia who live with

others in the community to have been diagnosed with the condition. Furthermore, these

individuals are less likely to recognize their own limitations and are unlikely to seek the help they

need. People living alone with dementia are at high risk for numerous adverse events including

self-neglect, malnutrition, accidental injury, medication errors, financial exploitation, social

isolation, and unattended wandering. Home and community-based services providers need

training and support to work effectively with this vulnerable population.

• Identifying and Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Dementia Who Live

Alone, National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center. This webinar

addresses the prevalence and characteristics of people with dementia who

live alone, their unmet care needs, signs of self-neglect and intervention

strategies, and information on the experiences of people with dementia who

live alone. (Webinar)

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Dementia Training Resources

• Preventing Elder Investment Fraud , Investor Protection Trust. Website with

resources and materials including a clinician’s pocket guide and a short video

that addresses the widespread problem of elder investment fraud and financial

exploitation and explores some of the possible solutions. The video includes

interviews with elder fraud victims, their families, doctors, and caretakers in

addition to representatives from the Pennsylvania Securities Commission.

(Multimedia)

Other Related Resources• Can a Person with Alzheimer’s Live Alone? Duke Family Support Program. This

tip sheet provides a list of questions that may guide decisions about the safety

of someone with a memory disorder living alone. (PDF)

• Considerations for Those Who Live Alone , Alzheimer’s Association. This

resource provides general guidelines for working with individuals with

dementia who live alone. (Document)

• Fraud Protection for Elders Living Alone , Duke Family Support Program. This

tip sheet provides a bulleted list of ways to protect elders at risk of being

exploited by people intent on fraud. (PDF)

• Guide for Professionals on Practical Strategies for Persons with Dementia

Living Alone, National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center. This

resource guide provides specific strategies for how home and community-

based service professionals can work with this population. The guide is

organized in six major sections that address different practical strategies of

working with individuals with dementia who live alone: Identifying individuals

with dementia who live alone; Building trust; Supporting safety and autonomy;

Involving family and friends; Coordinating paid providers and formal support

services; and Assisting with transition to a new setting. (PDF)

• People with Dementia Living Alone Risk Assessment , University of Iowa. This

assessment tool assists with identifying level of risk of people with dementia

who are living alone in the community and is adapted from an assessment tool

developed by the University of Iowa School of Nursing. (PDF)

Aging and Disability Resource Center TrainingThe resources below focus on person-centered support and guidance to individuals, family

members, and caregivers to help them develop a long-term care plan that closely aligns with their

specific needs and personal preferences. This section provides resources that can be used in

training options counselors and other ADRC staff.

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Dementia Training Resources

• Aging Services and Supports for People Living with Dementia - ADRC Dementia

Training, Portland State University. These web-based trainings were based on

input and piloting by Oregon ADRC partners. Individuals may view these

trainings on their own; however, group viewing and discussion using the

provided Companion Guides is encouraged. (Webinar and PDF)

Tier 1

- Module 1 - Implementing Person-Centered Dementia Support

- Module 2 - Communication and Behavioral Expression

- Module 3 - Medical and Clinical Aspects of Dementia

- Module 4 - Information and Referral Issues

- Tier 1 Companion Guide (PDF)

Tier 2

- Module 5 - Introducing Decision Support Tools

- Module 6 - Decision Support through Person-Centered Planning

- Module 7 - Decision Support in Care Transitions

- Module 8 - Decision Support for Advanced Care and End of Life Planning

- Tier 2 Companion Guide (PDF)

• No Wrong Door Dementia Capable Trainings , Virginia Department for Aging

and Rehabilitative Services. As part of an ongoing Administration for

Community Living grant for the Alzheimer’s Disease Supportive Services

Program, the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services is

expanding and standardizing dementia knowledge within the No Wrong Door

network. The webpage provides information on available virtual and written

training materials for Information and Referral Specialists, Options Counselors,

and Care Transition Coaches. (Multimedia)

Other Related Resources• Communicating with People Who Have Alzheimer’s or other Dementia: Aging

I&R/A Tips, National Aging Information and Referral Support Center, National

Association of State Units on Aging. Tip sheet developed to assist aging

information and referral staff with effective communication techniques when

working with someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.

(PDF)

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Dementia Training Resources

Specific Professional AudiencesThe dementia capable trainings listed below target specific health care professionals and

community providers, including first responders, hospital personnel, primary care providers, and

school teachers.

First Responders• Approaching Alzheimer’s : First Responder Training Program, Alzheimer’s

Association. An online training that uses an interactive format, developed with

input from first responders. (Web-based training)

• IACP Alzheimer’s Initiative , International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).

Funded by the Department of Justice, this website provides a variety of

resources to help first responders improve their knowledge and skills to

safeguard people with dementia. (Multimedia)

• First Responder Alzheimer’s and Dementia training videos , Alzheimer’s Orange

County. The videos consist of four short clips, totaling 15 minutes, which

portray law enforcement officers encountering individuals with dementia

during standard patrol: (1) during a traffic stop; (2) a wandering event; (3)

coming to a home where a daughter has called 911 for help with her very

agitated/aggressive mother with dementia; and (4) coming to a home where a

woman with dementia has called 911 thinking someone has tried to rob her

home. The four separate videos have been combined into one on this link.

(Video)

Hospital and Health Systems Professionals• Creating Dementia Capable Health Care Systems , Alzheimer’s Greater Los

Angeles. This webpage contains various resources including care manager

training materials, assessment instruments, a tool for identifying informal or

family caregivers, best practice care plans, resources on health care systems

change, and dementia care management toolkits to support health care

organizations build dementia-capable systems of care. (Multimedia)

• Going to the Hospital: Tips for Dementia Caregivers , National Institute on

Aging. Designed to help hospital professionals to meet the needs of patients

with dementia, this webpage contains links to facts about Alzheimer’s disease,

communication tips, personal care techniques, suggestions for working with

behaviors and environmental factors to consider in the ER and in the hospital

room. (Multimedia)

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Dementia Training Resources

Primary Care Providers• KAER Toolkit - The Gerontological Society of America formed a workgroup to

create a report and recommendations for promoting cognitive impairment

detection and earlier diagnosis of dementia in the primary care setting in the

United States. The report recommended a four step KAER framework:

Kickstart the cognition conversation, Assess for cognitive impairment, Evaluate

for dementia, Refer patient for community resources. (PDF)

• Assessing Cognitive Impairment in Older Patients: A Quick Guide for Primary

Care Physicians, National Institute on Aging. The guide addresses the

importance of cognitive assessment, benefits of early screening, and when to

screen, and provides numerous resources. (Multimedia)

Middle School and High School Teachers• Advocating for Friends and Family: Building Empathic Responses , Wisconsin

Department of Health Services and Wisconsin Department of Public

Instruction. A lesson designed for health educators that supplements existing

curriculum about brain health. Students will be able to describe accurate

functional health knowledge related to dementia, resulting in a heightened

sense of empathy, which will allow the student to develop a plan to advocate

for the health of self, friends, family and community. (PDF)

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