NewCertification Courses
Dementia & Alzheimer's Care
Learn evidence-informed approaches to dementia and Alzheimer's care — behavior redirection, compassionate communication and family support — through guided narrated lessons, a knowledge check and a completion certificate. Approximately 6 CE hours.
- 8 guided narrated lessons across 3 modules
- Approx. 6 continuing-education (CE) hours
- Downloadable workbook & printable certificate
- Created by Ohio home-care professionals
Course curriculum
- Explain the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease
- Name the most common types of dementia
- Describe how the condition generally progresses over time
- Recognize how memory and judgment changes affect daily tasks
- Identify common early warning signs
- Adjust your expectations and pace to the person
- Use short, simple sentences and a calm tone
- Read and use non-verbal cues like eye contact and touch
- Validate feelings instead of correcting facts
- See difficult behavior as an unmet need or a response to a trigger
- Recognize sundowning and its common causes
- Identify environmental triggers you can change
- Gently redirect attention rather than confront
- Use a calm, step-by-step de-escalation approach
- Know when a situation needs escalation to a nurse or family
- Reduce fall and wandering risk in the home
- Set up a safe, calm living environment
- Respond safely if a person becomes lost or disoriented
- Support eating and hydration in practical ways
- Provide personal care that preserves dignity
- Use consistent routines to reduce confusion
- Communicate warmly and honestly with family members
- Point families toward support resources
- Protect your own wellbeing to prevent burnout
Free sample lesson
Understanding Dementia & Alzheimer's
Dementia is an umbrella term for a decline in memory, thinking and reasoning serious enough to interfere with everyday life. It is not a normal part of aging. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause, but there are others — vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia among them. Each progresses differently, yet all tend to move gradually from mild forgetfulness toward needing full support with daily activities. Understanding this helps you meet a person where they are today rather than expecting yesterday's abilities.