What Is A Certified Dementia Practitioner?

A Certified Dementia Practitioner is an individual, usually in a medical or eldercare-related field, who has completed a specific set of required steps and specialized training courses to earn a certification to gain a better understanding of Alzheimer’s and dementia care.

Dementia is a cognitive syndrome that affects the brain and memory. 10 million new cases are diagnosed each year, according to the World Health Organization. It’s a disease that primarily affects adults over the age of 65 and has many different forms, including Alzheimer’s.

While most professionals will come into contact with dementia patients at some point, certain professions encounter it more frequently. Senior living communities, senior advocates, medical staff, first responders, police officers and rehabilitation specialists are a few examples. While these professionals are usually very qualified to work with dementia patients, earning different certifications and furthering their education helps with career advancement and is beneficial to the employer, as well as society as a whole.

Beginning down the path of becoming a Certified Dementia Practitioner is ideal for anyone who has dealings with older adults. Even if your particular profession does not require certifications, the education alone from this 8-hour seminar will be extremely helpful in your career. We cover a multitude of topics during the seminar, starting with understanding the signs of dementia, all the way through treatment and end of life. Covered topics include:

Emotional/Behavioral

• Repetitive Behavior
• Changes in communication
• Depression
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Wandering
• Hoarding
• Aggressive behaviors
• Feelings
• Catastrophic Reactions
• Intimacy & Sexuality

Care and Support

• Personal Care Needs 
• Pain Management 
• Nutrition
• Activities
• Environment
• Spiritual Care
• Staff & Family Support
• End of Life

Treatment

• Diagnosis and Prognosis 
• Diversity 
• Cultural Competence
• Current Treatments

At the end of the day, you will receive a certificate of completion and have a better understanding of the signs and stages of dementia, behavioral changes, how to attend to the physical and emotional needs of the patient, what treatments are presently in use, new treatments, and what researchers are learning about this debilitating disease.

This course is designed for Social Workers, Front Line Workers, Administrators and Administrative Assistants, Dementia Care Unit Managers, Nurses and Nursing Assistants, Personal Care Assistants, Activity Professionals, Physical Therapists, Dietitians, Speech Coaches, Physicians, Alzheimer’s Coaches, Dementia Consultants, Dementia Trainers, Corporate Trainers, Professional Patient Advocates, Geriatric Care Managers, Senior Advisors, Health Care Educators, Music and Art Therapists, Chiropractors, Pharmacists, employees and staff of Nursing Homes, Assisted and Independent Living Communities, In-Home Care and Hospice Agencies, Adult Daycare and Senior centers, Property Managers and Government Agencies. It is a very helpful course for Professionals in the Real Estate, Finance and Legal fields.

To become certified, one must meet certain criteria, including the successful completion of the Certified Dementia Practitioner Seminar with a certified instructor. To remain certified, you must stay current with trends, ethics, regulations, medications, and new developments that pertain to Dementia per your state and employer’s requirements (nccdp.org).

Cynthia Perthuis, owner of Senior Care Authority® of New York and Southwest Florida, is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, Certified Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care Trainer and a Certified Senior Advisor. Her next class is scheduled for:

January 13, 2022 from 8:00am - 5:00pm

Brookdale Battery Park City

455 North End Ave

New York, NY 10282.

This course is eligible for 7 CE credits for Social Workers. If you’re interested in learning more, or to register for the upcoming seminar, visit scanyfl.com.