New Certification Program For Dementia Caregivers - SpecialtyRx
March 15, 2022
New Certification Program For Dementia Caregivers

Dementia care certification program based on the Montessori method,

A hot topic brought to you by SpecialtyRx, your partner in long-term care

 

A new, seven-hour certification program has just been launched by the International Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners. Caregivers who complete the program will be able to call themselves Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professionals.

According to Denise Scruggs, Vice President of Corporate Training for the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners and one of the developers of the program, it was designed to help caregivers set higher expectations for their patients.

When it comes to treating patients with dementia, social conversations or asking them for their opinions is often overlooked and engagement is limited to only when involved in a task with them. This program hopes to change that, to expect more from dementia patients so they can live their lives to the fullest.

The Montessori educational method, developed in 1906 by Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator, focuses on letting childrens’ interests and activities develop naturally, while stressing independence. Of course the program doesn’t advocate treating dementia patients like children, it does however, find many of the Montessori concepts applicable to adults.

This program is designed to help improve the quality of life for people living with dementia. The certificate is only offered to professional caregivers and must be renewed every two years. “Certification programs like this one can have a huge impact on the quality of care for SNF residents, something we at SpecialtyRx strive for every day. We encourage our employees to take as many pertinent continuing education classes as possible to assure the highest levels of customer service,” stated Joe Kubulak, Chief Operating Officer at SpecialtyRx.