First responders go through extensive training to prepare for the many unpredictable and dangerous situations that they encounter on a daily basis. With more than five million Americans living with Alzheimer’s diseases or another cause of dementia, the chances that a public safety professional will respond to a call involving someone who is memory impaired is on the rise every day.
While we know that these professionals already have the heart to provide care for our loved ones, it is unlikely that they’ve received proper training. The best way we can support our local heroes is to make resources and education available to them. I’m proud to offer convenient online training, “Dementia Training and Support for First Responders.”
Here are some of the valuable takeaways that attendees will learn.
Understanding the community impact of dementia: The rising number of dementia diagnoses has a ripple effect on our communities, impacting not only the person who is diagnosed but the people who love them and other community members as well. You are in a unique position to provide care when they are the most vulnerable; this is a privilege, but also a huge responsibility. You will learn what it’s like to move through life with dementia symptoms, in order to provide emergency care with empathy and understanding.
Learn effective strategies for care: Responding to a call to care for someone with dementia symptoms poses unique challenges for first responders. From a missing person, to a domestic disturbance, to a medical emergency involving someone who is memory impaired, situations can escalate quickly and have tragic outcomes if they are not handled properly. You will learn effective strategies that are easy to implement on the job so that you can care for community members confidently, no matter what situation arises.
Enhance your job performance: When you respond to a call unequipped to handle the emergency in front of you, your job performance suffers due to no fault of your own. With the proper skills in place, you’ll feel more prepared to care for the most vulnerable of citizens, compassionately and effectively.
It is my belief that, until we find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, we can all do our part to improve the quality of life for the memory impaired by raising dementia awareness in our communities. I hope you’ll join me for an online training.