Professional Dementia Trainings

The outward signs of memory impairment in older individuals are frequently missed by family members as well as strangers, or misinterpreted as psychiatric illness. The social stigma attached to memory loss causes most elders to avoid admitting to having dementia or even asking for help.

In 2014, Senior Living Residences was among the first in the U.S. to launch a Dementia Friendly Initiative, aimed at combating this stigma by helping people recognize the signs of memory loss and equipping them with helpful insight, strategies and tools to communicate effectively with someone living with memory loss. Since then, SLR has trained thousands of consumers and professionals, including healthcare and eldercare professionals, front-facing retail and banking staff, first responders and students.

We offer three CEU programs:

The Dementia Experience

This 1.5 hour program allows participants to experience the challenges facing a person living with dementia and encourages discussion about the stigma of dementia and how it impacts communities, families and individuals.

Personally experience and describe the challenges facing a person living with dementia, their family and carers
Understand and explain the impact dementia has on daily life, particularly how it affects nutrition, medication safety, and financial security
Describe the loss that one with dementia experiences and how it contributes additional stress and frustration

1.5 CE Credits are available to Social Workers, Nurses, Case Managers and Emergency Services in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.

Understanding Dementia in the Real World

This 1 hour program provides an overview of what dementia is and is not, and teaches practical tools to assist with communicating with those who have dementia, as well as their families and care partners.

Express a clear understanding of dementia, its causes and the stigma that affects the individuals living with memory loss
Practice positive and appropriate communication approaches for working with people with dementia
Identify practical tools and techniques to support people with dementia and their families

1 CE Credit is available to Social Workers, Nurses, Case Managers and Emergency Services in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.

Be a Better Listener
Communicating Through Dementia

This 1 hr program provides an overview of how communication is affected and altered by dementia and similar cognitive impairments, what signs and symptoms you may observe, and challenges you may encounter when trying to communicate. Participants will walk away with practical, research-based strategies for overcoming these obstacles, along with greater confidence when interacting with individuals with dementia, whether in a professional or personal setting.

Describe how dementia can impact someone’s ability to communicate.
Predict the interpersonal challenges you may encounter when communicating with someone who has dementia and how to overcome them.
Demonstrate ways to effectively connect and communicate with individuals with dementia and similar cognitive impairments.