If you’ve been following along for a while, you may be familiar with the dementia caregiving training and certification programs I offer to care facilities, first responders and others who provide care to those experiencing dementia symptoms. Becoming a certified “Dementia-Aware Safe Space” not only has many benefits to your facility and team but, most importantly, greatly enhances the lives of those in your care. Here are some ways we can accomplish that together for a prosperous upcoming year in caregiving.
Open your hearts to a loving approach to dementia care. All of the trainings I conduct are structured around a love-based philosophy. I deeply believe that the greatest gift we can give someone who has been diagnosed with dementia is to lead them through their journey with love, patience and understanding. While we don’t yet have a cure for these symptoms, we do have the ability to enhance their lives with joy and love.
Show the community you’re a safe space. When your staff completes a specialized training program, you’ll be given a “Dementia-Aware Certified Space” sticker to display on the entrance to your facility. This sticker shows your community that you’re equipped and proud to welcome the memory impaired into your safe. This is also a great way to communicate to loved ones that their family member is safe, understood and thriving in your care.
Gain a deeper understanding of the dementia journey. The best way to develop the skills and resources your staff has available to them is to try to understand what someone with dementia symptoms is experiencing on a daily basis. I recently worked on a project to help caregivers step into the shoes of someone with dementia, and each of my training courses offer tools and practical strategies for caregiving, customized to your facility’s unique caregiving needs.
Elevate your facility’s level of care There is always room to innovate and grow in the area of caregiving. As new research is being done to better understand the causes and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, your caregiving techniques should evolve as well. I regularly modify my trainings to support the latest research, with the foundation of taking a loving approach always remaining at the core.
I’d love to share the experience of someone who has gone through my training. Here is how it impacted her.
Ready to learn how to take a loving approach to dementia caregiving? Learn more about my training and consulting packages at laurawayman.com/iamdementiaaware.