POSITIVE APPROACH TO CARE TRAINING

(2hours) 

$30/learner 

Capped at 30 learners 

This 2-hour workshop is led by Positive Approach® to Care Certified Dementia Educator and designed to help attendees develop a basic appreciation for what happens in the brain due to some form of dementia. Specifically, attendees will discover the value in what remains as the condition progresses, as well as an introduction of supportive responses. The goal is to see that the person living with dementia is doing the best they can, rather than assuming they are simply not trying, or doing something on purpose. Finally, attendees will learn to identify for themselves when it is time to pause their agenda, such as a care task, and seek support for themselves or the person living with dementia. 

Objectives: 

• Describe the difference between the term Dementia and Alzheimer's  
• Identify the four truths about all forms of Dementia
• Identify the four truths about all forms of Dementia continued—that it’s progressive—but not now! 
• Identify the impact of vision change on People Living with Dementia
• Identify the impact of language change on People Living with Dementia  
• Understand the three zones of awareness and the significance of Visual, Verbal, and Touch spaces
• Identify the typical situations where pausing is best

online (in-person offered through special request) 

Delivered over 5 weeks, 1 session per week (90 minutes)

$30/learner 

Capped at 10 learners

The Care Partner Support Series is a five-week live, online program designed to provide dementia education, practical caregiving strategies, and emotional support in a safe, confidential, and welcoming environment.

Led by Positive Approach® Certified Dementia Educator, this small-group series combines education, discussion, and collaborative problem-solving to help care partners better understand dementia and develop effective approaches for everyday caregiving situations. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with others facing similar experiences while gaining tools to reduce stress, improve communication, and build confidence in their caregiving role.

Through guided conversations and real-life examples, attendees will explore ways to respond to changing abilities, navigate challenging situations, and support both the person living with dementia and themselves.

Objectives: 

• Understand how dementia affects the brain, behavior, communication, and daily functioning. 
• Recognize retained abilities and changing needs throughout the dementia journey. 
• Apply person-centered caregiving approaches based on the individual's abilities and strengths. 
• Use effective communication techniques to reduce frustration and improve interactions. 
• Identify common triggers for distress and develop strategies to respond with empathy and skill. 
• Learn practical approaches for managing everyday caregiving challenges. 
• Explore techniques to promote meaningful engagement, connection, and quality of life. 
• Increase confidence in problem-solving difficult situations related to dementia care. 
• Develop strategies for managing caregiver stress and preventing burnout. 
• Connect with other care partners in a supportive and confidential learning community. 
• Identify resources and support services available for ongoing dementia care and caregiver support. 

(may be presented in two separate 1-hour sessions or one 2-hour session, Note for CEUs: Only the full 2-hour session may be submitted for CEU approval (guidelines provided in PAC Trainer Manual). 

This workshop helps learners understand and recognize the differences between typical and atypical aging. The learner will develop better observational skills to recognize and intervene effectively when behavioral challenges occur. Learners will also develop new skills related to approach, cueing, and ability to connect with people living with dementia. The workshop emphasizes the value of matching helping behaviors to the person’s needs and retained abilities to promote a sense of control and self-direction. The workshop will also address common issues that occur from early states of the condition, through the middle states, and into the final care concerns that occur in the later states.

Objectives: 

• Compare and contrast typical aging versus atypical aging related to various cognitive functions. 
• Describe the five sensory input and processing systems, highlighting the dominant role of vision, and the major differences between protective and discriminating sensation in each. 
• Discuss the impact of changing sensory awareness and processing as dementia progresses.

Methods of teaching: 

The workshop includes a combination of lecture, discussion, role play, group interaction, case discussion, and problem-solving among learners to actively engage learners in the content. Video training, handouts, power point presentation, and role playing may be used throughout the session. The workshop facilitator is a Certified Positive Approach to Care Trainer and is qualified to facilitate workshops and train others in the PAC philosophy 

This workshop focuses on Positive Approach to Care care partnering techniques, including the Positive Physical Approach and Hand-under-Hand support. These newly learned skills enable care partners to shift from simply dealing with the behaviors to creating a positive and caring environment. Learners develop observational skills needed to recognize signals of unmet needs and growing distress in those they support and respond in a way that reduces anxiety and improves quality of life.

Objectives:

• Changing habits as a result of understanding vision changes and space awareness 
• Understanding the changing braining
  • Describe changes in visual processing that impact a person’s ability to initiate interactions and respond to efforts to communicate and interact that are initiated by others, when dementia is present.
  • Compare and contrast unintentional and traditional social greeting and communication efforts with PPA™ structured interactions as it relates to reactions and responses from the person living with dementia. 
  • Discuss the rationale that supports each step of the PPA™ process.
  • Demonstrate PPA™ in simulated situations, using at least 75% of all steps with coaching support. 
  • Discuss reasons for and steps in modifying PPA™ for specific ‘special cases’ (blindness, deafness, sleeping, mental health issue, stroke, etc.). 
• Challenging behaviors using Hand-under-Hand® to promote mobility and assistance with ADLs
  • Discuss purpose and value of using Hand-under-Hand® technique with people living with dementia. 
  • Demonstrate Hand-under-Hand® technique in at least four out of seven possible applications (greeting, comforting, attention, mobility, task initiation, tool/utensil use, and participation in tasks & activities).

Methods of teaching:  

The workshop includes a combination of lecture, discussion, role play, group interaction, case discussion, and problem-solving among learners to actively engage learners in the content. Video training, handouts, power point presentation, and role playing may be used throughout the session. The workshop facilitator is a Certified Positive Approach to Care Trainer and is qualified to facilitate workshops and train others in the PAC philosophy. 

(may be presented in two 30-minute sessions or one 1-hour session)

$30/learner

Capped at 30 learners

Objectives: 

• Describe 3 number-based systems that are used to label stages/progression of dementia 
• Discuss the value and importance of seeing people living with dementia as having retained abilities, value, and benefiting from the right support and care to optimize performance and quality of life 3. Identify six GEMS – highlighting GEMS state characteristics 
• Compare and contrast 6 states of cognitive function and ability as GEMS 
• Use structured table to correctly identify GEMS states in shared scenarios through behaviors, abilities, and sensory processing examples

(***All three workshops can be presented all together or individually with each session lasting a total of 2 hours.)

Methods of teaching:

The workshop includes a combination of lecture, discussion, role play, group interaction, case discussion, and problem-solving among learners to actively engage learners in the content. Video training, handouts, power point presentation, and role playing may be used throughout the session. The workshop facilitator is a Certified Positive Approach to Care Trainer and is qualified to facilitate workshops and train others in the PAC philosophy

(90 minutes)  

$30/learner

Capped at 30 learners

This person-centered, practical, and hands-on video shows the benefits of Positive Approach® methods for persons living with dementia. After reviewing core skills and practices, you will witness Margaret, John, Gordon, Bob, Alice, and Edna, as they benefit from the Positive Approach to Care strategies. Observe the acknowledgement, respect, and dignified support that each person receives with world-renowned dementia care expert Teepa Snow. The care interactions she demonstrates will confirm the value of using specific, interpersonal cues and skills to improve the quality and outcome of care. 

Objectives:

• Positive Approach techniques
  • Introduction of Functions of the Brain
  • Care Partner Skills
• Care partnering with changing abilities
  • Teepa’s GEMS® model to show progression of dementia and skills of those living with dementia
• Skills practice demonstrations
  • PAC Skills practice and demonstrations

(Six separate 1.5-hour sessions with two options for facilitation: 1. In-services: Work with agencies, facilities, or local organizations to offer the six Getting to Know Dementia sessions through their co-sponsorship and location provisions for a set fee, or for which a small, per-class fee per participant would be offered.  2. Series of six classes: Sessions are scheduled and presented by a facilitator. Participants can take a single class or attend all six in the series) 

$30/learner

Capped at 30 learners

Designed to help learners develop their dementia awareness. The series will help participants understand the brain changes that occur due to dementia or another neurodegenerative condition, versus the changes that can happen with typical aging or stress. As learners gain awareness of brain function and the changes that often occur during dementia, they will begin to understand the importance of focusing not only on what is lost, but what is retained. Participants will be introduced to the GEMS® State Model of Brain Change and learn to adapt approaches to each state, resulting in more positive interactions and relationships.

The concept of using visual, verbal, and touch cues to approach and connect with a person living in any state of dementia through the Positive Physical Approach™ will be demonstrated and practiced. Finally, we conclude by learning about how we, as care partners, can become advocates for people living with dementia, as relationships and tasks of daily life are impacted.

Objectives:

• What is Dementia, Really?
• What Brain Changes and Shifts in Ability are Noticed When Dementia Happens? 
• Looking at Progression and Seeing More than Loss: The GEMS ® States of Brain Change 
• The GEMS® States of Brain Change: In the Right Setting with the Right Care, all GEMS® Can Shine 
• New Skills for Helping and Supporting 
• Being an Advocate and Building a Support Team

Methods of teaching: 

The workshop includes a combination of lecture, discussion, role play, group interaction, case discussion, and problem-solving among learners to actively engage learners in the content. Video training, handouts, power point presentation, and role playing may be used throughout the session. The workshop facilitator is a Certified Positive Approach to Care Trainer and is qualified to facilitate workshops and train others in the PAC philosophy