February 14th-21st is NCCDP's Staff Education Week!
Staff Education Week was created to encourage communities to emphasize the importance of dementia education and raise awareness about certification in dementia care practices.
NCCDP’s goal is to improve care partner skills, strengthen their commitment to the field of dementia care, and ultimately enhance the lives of those living with dementia.
The staff here at NCCDP have been hard at work updating our in-services in honor of this healthcare holiday! Members can login and click STAFF IN-SERVICES to check out these up-to-date educational programs for free!
Ready to get started? Click HERE to login and gain some knowledge!
NCCDP February Webinar
Interview with a Caregiver: The Good, The Bad, and the Burt
Given the proper perspective, being a professional care partner is rewarding even during the challenges. Being a personal carer is challenging yet also can be very rewarding. Being both at the same time often requires an accessory……rose-colored glasses!
Join us as we hear from Kari Johnson, VP of Corporate Training, and a professional care partner for over 25 years and a personal carer for her father for 16 years. Burt had a hemorrhagic stroke in 2007, struggled with alcoholism, and was diagnosed with vascular dementia.
Kari will share the challenges, lessons, strategies, and joy of both roles and perspective changes when it is personal. Topics covered include daily care, leisure, health and safety, and more. Come with questions, as Kari is an open book. Burt would say it’s going to be FANTASTIC!
Questions? Email Kristine at Kristine@nccdp.org
We hope you will join us!
- Date: February 21, 2025
- Time: 12:00 PM- 1:30 PM Eastern Time
- Location: Live-Online (Zoom login provided in registration confirmation email)
- Price: $40.00
- CEU’s: 1.5 hours approved for NCCDP certification renewals
NCCDP March Webinar
The Connection Between Hearing Loss and Dementia: Understanding Risks and Solutions
Hearing loss is often overlooked as a key factor in cognitive health, yet research shows a strong correlation between untreated hearing loss and the risk of dementia. This 90-minute webinar will explore the science behind this connection, how hearing healthcare can play a vital role in dementia prevention, and practical strategies to improve patient outcomes.
Join Dr. Keith Darrow as he delves into this critical topic, offering actionable insights for caregivers, dementia practitioners, and healthcare providers.
Questions? Email Kristine at Kristine@nccdp.org
We hope you will join us!
- Date: March 6th, 2025
- Time: 12:00 PM- 1:30 PM Eastern Time
- Location: Live-Online (Zoom login provided in registration confirmation email)
- Price: $40.00
- CEU’s: 1.5 hours approved for NCCDP certification renewals
Fostering Compassionate Care: Supporting Families in Dementia Care
Care partners have the opportunity to play a significant role in supporting the family of someone diagnosed with dementia by offering practical, emotional, and educational help. Here are some ways you can assist:
- Provide Emotional Support: Caregiving can be emotionally draining, and family members may feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or helpless. Care partners can offer a listening ear, validate emotions, and provide reassurance. Acknowledging the emotional toll that caregiving takes can help family members feel less isolated.
- Connect Families with Support Groups: Support groups are a great resource for family members to connect with others who are going through similar experiences. Offer help by finding and providing information on local or online groups where they can share tips, advice, and coping strategies.
- Educate the Family: Dementia can be a confusing and complex diagnosis, so care partners can provide educational resources to help family members understand the disease better. Offering books, articles, or workshops on dementia care and communication strategies helps families approach caregiving with more confidence and understanding.
- Keep Family Informed: Regular updates about the person’s condition, behavior changes, and care needs are essential for keeping everyone on the same page. Care partners can set up regular communication through phone calls, emails, or family meetings to ensure everyone is informed and involved in care decisions.
- Provide Activity Ideas and Supplies: Dementia care often involves keeping an individual engaged in meaningful activities. Care partners can help the family by suggesting and providing activity supplies like puzzles, art materials, or sensory tools that are tailored to the person’s abilities. This promotes connection and cognitive stimulation between the individual and their family.
- Compliment and Acknowledge Family Members’ Efforts: Caregiving is challenging, and family members may not always feel appreciated. Care partners can provide compliments and positive feedback to help family members feel valued. A simple acknowledgment of their hard work can help reduce burnout and boost morale.
- Suggest Respite Care Options: Family caregivers may need a break to avoid exhaustion. Care partners can suggest respite care services or help coordinate short-term care to give family members a chance to rest, recharge, and focus on their well-being.
- Offer Practical Help: In addition to emotional support, care partners can provide practical help by assisting with tasks like coordinating medical appointments, helping manage medications, or even offering a few hours of respite care when family members need time for themselves.
Explore Best Practices for Person-Centered Dementia Care
New CEU Opportunity!
Dementia CEU Series for Nursing Professionals NCCDP in Partnership with AlzBetter
The Dementia CEU Series consists of 16 foundational courses on topics such as behavioral interventions, personalized care strategies, and managing complex cognitive conditions. While primarily aimed at nursing professionals, these courses are also relevant for direct care workers and professionals in long-term care.
Pricing options include individual courses and bundles for NCCDP members and non-members, with certificates available upon completion.
NCCDP members qualify for significant discounts on the program!
These courses have been accredited for continuing education content by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commision on Accreditation, providing a total of 8 CEUs.
“I have taken many CE courses over my nursing career. Most of the courses help check a box, but I often find them boring and not adding much to my education. I found the NCCDP/AlzBetter nursing courses were actually very informative and interesting. They are definitely helping enhance my dementia education as a nurse.”
Jamie Rybak RN
NCCDP is excited to introduce our updated 2025 Curriculum! Packed with the latest evidence-based information, this curriculum represents the gold standard in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease education. Join one of our seminars to enhance your caregiving skills and knowledge!
Upcoming Seminars:
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care (ADDC) Seminar:
Tuesday, February 25: ONLINE- Pacific Time Click HERE to Register!
Tuesday, March 4: ONLINE- Eastern Time Click HERE to Register!
Thursday, March 13: ONLINE- Eastern Time Click HERE to Register!
Tuesday, March 18: ONLINE- Central Time Click HERE to Register!
Wednesday, March 26: ONLINE- Mountain Time Click HERE to Register!
Friday, April 11: ONLINE- Eastern Time Click HERE to Register!
Tuesday, April 15: ONLINE- Central Time Click HERE to Register!
Tuesday, April 29: ONLINE- Eastern Time Click HERE to Register!
Thursday, May 8th: ONLINE- Eastern Time Click HERE to Register!
Wednesday, May 14th: ONLINE- Pacific Time Click HERE to Register!
Tuesday, May 20th: ONLINE- Central Time Click HERE to Register!
Montessori Concepts in Dementia Care Seminar:
Thursday, May 22: ONLINE- Eastern Time Click HERE To Register!
Tuesday, August 5: ONLINE- Central Time Click HERE To Register!
Tuesday, November 18: ONLINE- Eastern Time Click HERE To Register!
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 Holiday Observances
All Month:
American Heart Month
National Cancer Prevention Month
National Therapeutic Recreation Month
Weeks:
February 14th-21st: NCCDP Staff Education Week
Days:
February 14th: National Donor Day
February 21st: National Caregivers Day
