How to Become a Certified Care Specialist for Memory Care
Working in memory care is one of the most rewarding career choices you can have. Every day, you make a difference in the lives of the seniors you’re working with, but you also provide peace of mind to their families. Knowing their loved one is in a safe environment with compassionate and well-trained staff means the world to them.
People with dementia need specialized care, so receiving the appropriate training is important. Although Arizona does not require dementia-specific training for caregivers in memory care communities, many of those communities, including the Mission at Agua Fria, maintain their own requirements for training and certification.
What Topics Does Training Cover?
Memory care communities have found that proper training benefits both the caregiver and the residents. Some common topics covered in memory care training include, but are not limited to:
- Understanding dementia – an overview of the symptoms and progression; cognitive changes that occur with age; common dementia responses and behaviors.
- Communication – non-threatening body language and tone of voice, redirection.
- Person-centered care – recognizing and effectively treating pain; activities that stimulate the brain; gentle de-escalation techniques; maintenance of physical environment to ensure safety and comfort; specialized methods to assist with activities of daily living such as bathing and medication management.
Having access to this detailed information enables caregivers to provide the best possible care and reduces stress and frustration for everyone involved.
What Type of Training Is Available?
For caregivers who work with people who have dementia, there are a variety of options for training and certification to become a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP).
- Online classes – the Alzheimer’s Association lists several online training courses, and there are many more available. Most of these training courses provide certification upon completion.
- In-person and online seminars – the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners is a great resource for finding in-depth seminars as well as providing certification.
- Professional and on-the-job training – many memory care communities provide specialized training to their staff to ensure the highest possible standards of empathetic, person-centered care for their residents. Several related fields, such as nursing, music therapy, education, and occupational therapy, can also combine their expertise with additional training specific to dementia care to become CDPs.
Come Work With Us at the Mission at Agua Fria!
Thanks to advances in technology and healthcare, people are living longer, fuller lives. As a result, assisted living and memory care fields continue to grow. At the Mission at Agua Fria, we are committed to excellence in senior care. Our beautiful community offers many amenities and programs that our residents and their caregivers love.If you are interested in working in memory care, we would love to discuss how you can become part of our dedicated, compassionate, and loving staff. The Mission at Agua Fria is a great place to work. Contact us today to find out more!