At Atrio Home Care, our goal has always been to help aging adults choosing to age in place stay as independent as possible for as long as possible.  With 190,000 people 65+  living with dementia in Michigan (a number that’s expected to increase to 220,000 by 2025), it is becoming more and more important to ensure caregivers and staff have the tools and skills needed to care for people living with dementia. That’s why this past May, staff from both our Help at Home and Home Health teams underwent specialized dementia care training with our partner organization, the Dementia Institute.

Why is specialized dementia care training essential?

Understanding what dementia is, its unique challenges, and how it affects individuals leads to a more empathetic approach to care. Training helps to combat the frustrations and setbacks typically caused by the communication barriers and behavioral changes that often accompany dementia. Through this specialized training, we can:

• Enhance our ability to provide person-centered care
• Improve safety for both caregivers and persons with dementia
• Reduce caregiver stress and burnout

Training Provided at Atrio Home Care

Our partner organization, Dementia Institute, focuses on supporting persons with dementia and the community that surrounds them. Their specialized training utilizes techniques from renowned dementia expert Teepa Snow’s organization, Positive Approach to Care®. Our staff were taken through a range of scenarios, modules, and exercises for a comprehensive training that touched on a number of areas, including:

Comprehensive Education
Understanding dementia and its progression, including training on specific types of dementia and associated symptoms (Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body, etc.).

Empathy & Understanding
The Dementia Journey uses sound, vision, and sensory impairments to give participants a better understanding of the difficulty and daily challenges that dementia brings to the lives of those living with the disease.  

Communication Skills
Techniques for effective and compassionate communication and strategies for managing challenging behaviors and agitation.

Practical Caregiving Skills
Personal care routines tailored to individuals with dementia and activities to engage and stimulate cognitive function.

Emotional & Psychological Support
Approaches to reduce anxiety and enhance quality of life for both the caregiver and person with dementia while providing emotional support and fostering a positive environment.

Safety Protocols
Ensuring a safe living environment by managing risks such as wandering and falls.

We’re here to help!

Both our Help at Home and Home Health teams are now uniquely qualified to care for the physical, emotional, and intellectual needs of you’re loved one living with dementia. If your loved one could benefit from help from someone who understands how to help them overcome their challenges, contact us to learn more here.