August 2024 Newsletter
Celebrating Maria Montessori
WE HAVE MOVED!
NCCDP has moved its headquarters to a new location! Please take note of our new address:
One Main Street
Suite 6
Sparta, NJ 07871
Commemorating Dr. Maria Montessori's Birthday and Her Impact on Dementia Care
This August, we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Maria Montessori, born on August 31, 1870, a pioneering educator whose groundbreaking methods have revolutionized education and care. Born in Italy, Dr. Montessori was a trailblazer as one of the first female physicians in her country. She devoted her life to understanding the natural development of children and creating an educational approach that fosters independence, respect, and a love for learning. The Montessori Method emphasizes self-directed activity, hands-on learning, and collaborative play, all designed to cultivate each child’s innate desire to learn. Dr. Montessori eloquently expressed her philosophy with the words, “Everything you do for me, you take away from me,” emphasizing the importance of empowering individuals to develop their capabilities.
Dr. Cameron Camp has extended Dr. Montessori’s principles into the realm of dementia care, crafting a compassionate and holistic approach that honors the whole person. The Montessori dementia care method focuses on leveraging the strengths and abilities of individuals, engaging them in meaningful activities that foster a sense of purpose and joy. This approach includes a variety of techniques, such as promoting autonomy through choice, using sensory stimulation to engage the senses, and maintaining skills through practical life activities. By creating an environment that supports independence and respects individual preferences, this method helps individuals with dementia connect with their surroundings and experience moments of accomplishment and well-being.
The International Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (ICCDP) supports this transformative approach through its Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional and Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional Trainer programs. These certifications provide specialized training for professionals, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to implement Montessori methods in dementia care. As we honor Dr. Montessori’s birthday, we celebrate her enduring influence on both education and dementia care, recognizing the profound impact of her philosophy on enhancing the quality of life for individuals at all stages of life. Her legacy continues to inspire us to create environments that respect and nurture the dignity and potential of every person.
Interested in the Montessori Concepts in Dementia Care?
We offer certification and education in the Montessori methods as they relate to dementia care on our international website, ICCDP. With multiple ways to take the coursework, as well as a trainer program, you can begin to implement the Montessori concepts into your work and train others to do the same!
Hear what Michelle Boiardi, CADDCT, CDP of HallKeen Assisted Living has to say about why she consistently puts employees through our Montessori certification program.
“As the Director of Cognitive Health for a mid-sized Assisted Living company, I am always looking for educational, meaningful, and innovative opportunities for the Program Directors/Activity Assistants that I oversee. For that reason, I have made it a requirement for all activity staff to receive their CMDCP within a determined time frame in their employment.
This credential provides staff with a meaningful foundation to build practical and applicable skills to enhance interaction with our residents. An added benefit is that the curriculum also helps to foster empathy and patience, which is invaluable when working with individuals living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
Obtaining this certification helps to foster a sense of pride and achievement for the team members who participate, while also reassuring our residents and their families that there are educated staff supporting them.”
If you would like to learn more, please contact amy@iccdp.net or visit this webpage!
Now Accepting Nominations for CPD, CADDCT, & CNA of the Year!
Hey there, amazing members of the NCCDP community!
We always strive to provide you with the highest standard of dementia education, and we couldn’t have done it without your support. You guys are the real MVPs!
We share a common goal–to make a positive difference in dementia care, and we’re so proud to see how you have been implementing what you’ve learned in your caregiving practices!
We have some exciting news to share! We are starting to collect nominations for CDP, CADDCT, and CNA of the Year! So, if you know someone who holds a certification with us and goes above and beyond in their work, don’t hesitate to let us know! We can’t wait to hear from you!
You can email us with your nomination at nccdpoffice@nccdp.org.
Please put NOMINATION in the subject of your email.
Nominations must be in by August 15th, 2024.
Nominees must have a certification with us that is in good standing.
You cannot nominate yourself.
Nominations should include any supporting narrative that elevates the nominee as exceptional in their community and in the field. For anyone chosen for the award, they and community staff agree be interviewed and photographed, which may be posted in our newsletter, in articles and on social media.
Summer Special!
Get a hard copy of your certification for 50% off!
Welcome, Kari Johnson! OTR/L, CDP, CADDCT, CMDCP, CMDCPT, BCPA
Kari is one of our newest Vice Presidents of Corporate Training and has been certified with us since 2016! We are thrilled to have her on board here at NCCDP!
Kari Johnson, an Occupational Therapist (OT), has over 25 years of experience working with older adults with dementia and complex medical conditions. Her unique journey, which began as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and evolved into a Social Worker at King’s College Hospital in SE London before she obtained her Masters in OT in the US, is a testament to her dedication and growth.
In addition to having clinical OT specializations and certifications, Kari is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer, Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional, Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional Trainer, and Board-Certified Patient Advocate.
Kari attended the NCCDP Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Seminar to become a CDP in 2016. As she assisted in the development of an aquatic dementia-specific program, she was able to draw upon her training but wanted to learn and do more. So, she attended the CADDCT seminar to become a trainer. She was inspired by the trainer, who shared her mother’s experience with dementia. Kari also participated in the first offered seminar to become a Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional Trainer.
Kari’s professional belief is that combining training that supports skilled person-environment interdisciplinary assessments and perspectives with an empathetic approach is crucial. She often uses real-life examples, including her personal experience as a caregiver to her father, Burt, for 16 years after he suffered a stroke, struggled with alcoholism, and developed vascular dementia. Real examples facilitate the direct application of learned material, and no one forgets Burti! Kari’s ultimate recipe is this: share the hard, highlight the humorous, and add two helpings of empathy and authenticity. That helps others live their best lives!
Live In-Person ADDC Seminar: Orlando, Florida
Are you ready to take the first step to become a Certified Dementia Practitioner? Join us for our live, IN-PERSON seminar in Orlando on October 11, 2024.
Interested in becoming a trainer with us? We are also offering the CADDCT Seminar in Orlando! Register by completing an application at here and selecting October 11, 2024 for your seminar date!
NCCDP Webinar Montessori Activities: More Than Staying Busy
Join our Director of Education, Denise Scruggs, as she presents this live, interactive webinar!
Montessori activities enrich the quality of life of persons with dementia by providing a sense of accomplishment, promoting independence, and offering meaningful and purposeful engagement in life.
In this program, we will not only examine the characteristics, purpose, and benefits of Montessori activities, but also provide practical guidance on how to create an optimal environment and activities that will spark interest, joy, and fulfillment. This will empower you to make a real difference in the lives of persons with dementia.
- Date: Wednesday, September 18, 2024
- Time: Eastern Time 12:00pm – 1:30pm
- Location: Live-Online (Zoom login provided in registration confirmation email)
- Price: $35.00
- CEU’s: 1.5 hours approved for NCCDP certification renewals
Upcoming Seminars:
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care (ADDC) Seminar:
Wednesday, August 7: ONLINE- Central Time SOLD OUT
Thursday, August 15: ONLINE- Eastern Time SOLD OUT
Tuesday, August 20: ONLINE- Pacific Time Click HERE to Register!
Tuesday, September 10: ONLINE- Mountain Time Click HERE to Register!
Tuesday, September 24: ONLINE- Central Time Click HERE to Register!
Friday, September 27: ONLINE- Eastern Time Click HERE to Register!
Wednesday, October 9: ONLINE- Eastern Time Click HERE to Register!
Friday, October 11: IN-PERSON– Orlando, FL Click HERE to Register!
Friday, October 25: ONLINE- Eastern Time Click HERE to Register!
Tuesday, October 29: ONLINE- Central Time Click HERE to Register!
Wednesday, November 6: ONLINE- Central Time Click HERE to Register!
Thursday, November 14: ONLINE- Eastern Time Click HERE to Register!
Tuesday, November 19: ONLINE- Pacific Time Click HERE to Register!
Montessori Concepts in Dementia Care Seminar:
Tuesday, November 12: ONLINE- Eastern Time Click HERE To Register!
The Beacon Institute CADDCT/ADDC Seminar
The Beacon Institute will be hosting our Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Seminar, as well as our Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer Seminar this August! They will be offered virtually. Click the links below to access the information and registration pages!
ADDC Seminar:
- Held August 21, 2024 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Eastern
Trainer Seminar:
- Held both August 21 & 22, 2024
- August 21: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Eastern
- August 22: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Eastern
Interested in Certification?
Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional Trainer (CMDCPT)
As a Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional Trainer, you will be certified to present our Montessori Concepts in Dementia Care (MCDC) curriculum to professionals across multiple industries within the geriatric healthcare industry.
Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional (CMDCP)
This certification is open to all healthcare professionals, front-line staff, clergy, and other medical professionals who work in and around the geriatric healthcare industry and have at least one full year of paid experience. It focuses on person-centered care, maintaining independence, and avoiding infantilization.
Healthcare Observances:
All Month:
- National Immunization Awareness Month
Weeks:
- August 4-10: National Health Center Week
- August 23-29: Health Unit Coordinator Recognition Week
Days:
- August 1: World Lung Cancer Day
NCCDP Team Building Day!
