Contact us today to take care of all your Alzheimer's and dementia care training needs for Assisted Living Facilities with Dementia Care Licenses in the state of Minnesota.

Whether you're an Assisted Living Facility wishing to operate with a Dementia Care License or an individual care provider, we can help. Fill out the form to get started today.

Dementia Training for Teams & Individuals

Our three-part training program, designed to be completed in less than a day, conducted by our certified training specialists, will give you a full understanding of Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach® to Care techniques.

Our comprehensive online class is designed to give you the same great experience as if we were onsite with you. This training will be LIVE to enable a very interactive experience via Zoom. We will use video clips of skills, live demonstration, and breakout rooms for small group discussions and practice of the skills.

Dementia Care providers: Fulfill your State Training Requirements here. 4, 6 & 8 hour courses now available to meet your needs.

Schedule your Training Session today!

Sign up for one of our upcoming individual 6 hour training sessions now.

Our next available sessions will be held via a live and/or interactive zoom webinar and are scheduled as follows:

Time Location Virtual
March 7th from 9:00am to 3:00pm EST

8 Adler Drive, East Syracuse, New York, 13057

No

The cost is $100 per person. Space is limited to 30 participants per session. Reserve your session now!

Have a large group to train? Ask us about our customized team training programs and discounted pricing.

Looking for a 4 hour or 8 hour course instead? Let us know and we'll help you get your state requirements filled right away.

Fill out the form below to get started today!

What is the Positive Approach® to Care (PAC)?

Positive Approach® To Care is a program developed by Teepa Snow, a leading, internationally known and respected educator on dementia and dementia care. This program emphasizes making use of the skills retained by the individual while providing support, and substituting our skill for what is no longer available.

Why choose our Dementia training program for your team?

  • Increase employee retention by giving them the skills to better solve behavioral challenges that arise.
  • Provide a calmer community as your employees develop their skills to connect with the dementia residents which reduces the number of outbursts.
  • Faster work completion rates as your employees recognize the unmet needs and growing distress to lessen the number of problems.
  • Improved corporate culture as employees feel they can succeed and are supported with the most effective and up to date techniques which will provide better outcomes and less problems.

We Are Certified Independent Trainers in Positive Approach® to Care

Our certified training specialists with Positive Approach® to Care Founder, Teepa Snow (L-R) Sheila Ohstrom, Teepa Snow, and Bernadette Tripp
“Dementia does not rob someone of their dignity, it’s our reaction to them that does.” ~Teepa Snow

See what our Clients are saying…

“On behalf of the Genesis Health Project Network, we would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation for the 4-Part Seminar series to support Caregivers as they care for their loved ones with Dementia/Alzheimer’s. The feedback we have received has been very positive and reflective of time well spent. Undoubtedly, these caregivers appreciated the opportunity to share their experiences, storytelling and chance to learn from you, your staff and each other. Interactive engagement consistently leads the way as we look forward to future health promotion initiatives with this group. Again, many thanks for your skills, expertise and willingness to spend some time with us!”

- V. Cowart, Genesis Health Project Network, Syracuse University

“The Teepa Snow training was invaluable! Your trainers provided just the right mix of Teepa videos combined with hands-on training. The videos helped to communicate Teepa's personality and philosophy, and your trainers would follow each one with explanation, discussion and then practice. Having professional trainers to assist staff in actual practices was instrumental in taking Teepa's teaching from theory to reality. We have noticed a real effort from our staff to implement the skills they have gained after completing the training. This type of training is essential for anyone caring for people with dementia. We are looking forward to additional training sessions for our newest employees.”

- Maria Bowman, Marketing and Community Relations, Peregrine Senior Living at Onondaga Hill

“Thank you again for allowing us to schedule our two day PAC training with your organization. I felt that the content of the training program was extremely appropriate and related very well to the jobs of our caregivers. We have already utilized some of the approaches with positive effect. I am hopeful that we can coordinate another training for the rest of the nursing home and Assisted Living staff in the near future.”

- McHarrie Life Senior Community

Meet Our Certified Independent Staff

Dementia Training Solutions’ independently certified PAC trainers will provide your team with the strategies and techniques necessary to compassionately care for those with dementia via a fully interactive and comprehensive Zoom training available to service providers across the United States.

Our staff holds several of the certifications offered by Teepa Snow's Positive Approach® to Care program.

Sheila Ohstrom Certified Independent Trainer, Coach, Consultant & Engagement Leader
Bernadette Tripp Certified Independent Trainer, Coach & Consultant
Kelly Parisi Certified Independent Trainer, Coach & Consultant

Our three-part training program

Part A: Normal Aging vs. Not Normal Aging

Description

This workshop helps learners understand and recognize the differences in “normal” and “not normal” 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 affected by 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 typical issues that occur from early stages of the condition, through mid disease, and into the final care concerns that are part of the progression.

Objectives

  • Compare and contrast “normal” aging versus “not normal” 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.

Part B: Positive Approach® to Care Partnering Techniques

Description

This workshop focuses on Positive Approach®: to Care "care partnering" techniques, including Positive Physical Approach™ (PPA) and Hand Under Hand™ (HUH). 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 the person they care for and respond in a way that reduces anxiety and improves quality of life.

Objectives

  • Learn how to apply Positive Physical Approach™ (PPA) and Hand Under Hand™ (HUH) in everyday situations.
  • Learn the importance of doing "with", not "to".
  • Develop observational skills necessary to recognize and address unmet emotional and physical needs.
  • Learn ways to help the person being cared for feel productive and valued.

Part C: Teepa's GEMS®, Using Skills that Make a Difference

Description

The GEMS® workshop offers an overview Teepa Snow’s dementia classification model (developed from the basic structure of Allen Cognitive Disability Levels). The GEMS® Brain Change Model compares different states of being and ability to the characteristics of precious jewels. This dignified metaphor defines normal aging as well as the many appearances, behavioral changes, skill sets and needs of those living with the effects of neurocognitive failure (dementia) or other brain changes. They should be considered indicators and a guide toward understanding an individual's current state of ability and brain function. Understanding them will lead to an adjustment of expectations, modification of cues and support, and more accurate communication and 'hands-on' care behaviors to better meet ever-changing needs. The GEMS® advocate that people living with dementia, when done with rather than done to and provided with the just right care and setting, can still shine.

Objectives

  • Develop understanding of normal aging and stages of dementia, and the correlating GEM for each (sapphire, diamond, emerald, amber, ruby, pearl).
  • Learn to use the GEMS® to facilitate positive, supportive communication between the care giver and the person being cared for.
  • Learn to recognize and respond to unmet needs that lead to distress or challenging behaviors as the disease progresses.
  • Learn to describe effective combinations of multi-modal helping techniques, emphasizing use of preserved abilities.

What makes this program different from other dementia programs?

  • The mission is to develop each person’s talents and abilities to help gain awareness, knowledge, and skill. The goal is to transform current employee practices into a more positive dementia care culture for all concerned.
  • By using these care partnering techniques we will grow their interpersonal skills which is essential to improve the quality of life for the person living with dementia.

Strategies and Techniques of the PAC Training

Respond rather than react to a person with dementia’s change and abilities in a way that is proactive, not harmful or offensive.

Appreciate that with practice, common reactions to the person with dementia can become thoughtful responses that improve everyone’s quality of life.

Recognize the person with dementia is doing the best they can when faced with challenging situations.

Change our approach, behavior and expectations for improved outcomes.

Modify the physical and sensory environment (lighting, sound, activity) surrounding a person living with dementia to promote function and satisfaction.

Dementia Care providers: Fulfill your State Training Requirements here. 4, 6 & 8 hour courses now available to meet your needs.

Schedule your Training Session today!

Sign up for one of our upcoming individual 6 hour training sessions now.

Our next available sessions will be held via a live and/or interactive zoom webinar and are scheduled as follows:

Time Location Virtual
March 7th from 9:00am to 3:00pm EST

8 Adler Drive, East Syracuse, New York, 13057

No

The cost is $100 per person. Space is limited to 30 participants per session. Reserve your session now!

Have a large group to train? Ask us about our customized team training programs and discounted pricing.

Looking for a 4 hour or 8 hour course instead? Let us know and we'll help you get your state requirements filled right away.

Fill out the form below to get started today!