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Locally-owned Central New York provider serving seniors and their families since 2010

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Dementia Training Solutions

Positive Approach® to Care

Senior Home Care & Alzheimer’s Solutions’ certified independent PAC trainers can provide your team with the strategies and techniques necessary to compassionately care for those with dementia. Our experienced trainers are certified independent in the Positive Approach® to Care techniques and are available for either onsite or zoom training to service providers across the United States.

What is the Positive Approach® to Care

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.

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 our Dementia 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.

Sample Our Training

Here is a sampling of the video clips we use to teach skills to complement the live training:

How to help someone with Dementia, Memory Loss & Alzheimer's

Overcome eating challenges with Dementia patients

Assisting Dementia patients: Hair Brush Example

Understanding & Caring for Vision Changes in Varying Stages of Dementia, Alzheimer's, Memory Loss

Dementia Care Providers

Fulfill your State Training Requirements with us.

4, 6 & 8 hour courses now available.
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 interactive zoom webinar and are scheduled as follows:

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!


Our certified training specialists with PAC founder, Teepa Snow (L-R) Bernadette Tripp, Teepa Snow, Sheila Ohstrom and Kelly Parisi

Our Certified Independent training specialists with Positive Approach® to Care Founder, Teepa Snow
(L-R) Bernadette Tripp, Teepa Snow, Sheila Ohstrom and Kelly Parisi

“Dementia does not rob someone of their dignity,
it’s our reaction to them that does.”
~Teepa Snow

Meet Our PAC Certified Independent Staff

Our staff holds several of the certifications offered by Teepa Snow's Positive Approach® to Care program.
Sheila Ohstrom
Sheila Ohstrom
Certified Independent Trainer, Coach, Consultant & Engagement Leader
Bernadette Tripp
Certified Independent Trainer, Coach & Consultant
Kelly Parisi
Certified Independent Trainer, Coach & Consultant
Positive Approach to Care Certification - Independent Trainer
Positive Approach to Care Certification - Independent Coach
Positive Approach to Care Certification - Independent Consultant
Positive Approach to Care Certification - Independent Engagement Leader

Dementia Training Classes

Onsite Classes

Our three-part training program, conducted by our certified independent training specialists, will give you and your staff a full understanding of the Positive Approach® to Care techniques. This training program is designed to be completed in less than a day, and is held at your facility. We are available to travel throughout the United States.

NEW - Online Zoom Classes

Our 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. 
Positive Approach to Care Training Class
Our certified independent PAC trainers, Sheila Ohstrom (back row, center) and Bernadette Tripp (back row, right) with a group at the completion of their training.

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 middisease, 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.

Schedule Your Staff Training

Call today for more information or to schedule this valuable training for your staff


For your convenience, our trainers will come to your site to provide the Dementia Positive Approach® to Care training, or we can provide Zoom online training. We can be available to service providers across the country.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 315-469-1000 and ask for Sheila Ohstrom or Bernadette Tripp to learn more or make arrangements for your training session.

We Come to Your Facility!

New - Training Available to Everyone

Upcoming Dementia Training Classes
In Person Webinar

Open to any individual or group who wants to take them (including families and facilities)

Call (315) 469-1000 for next dates


Call (315) 469-1000 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to sign up.

Testimonials About Our Dementia Training Program

Contact Us

Senior Home Care & Alzheimer's Solutions

5860 Heritage Landing Drive
East Syracuse, NY 13057

 (315) 469-1000
 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Office Hours

Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Senior Home Care Solutions

Alzheimer's Solutions

2023 CNY Senior Care Award - Senior Care Organization of the Year

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Senior Home Care & Alzheimer's Solutions is a Woman-Owned Business Serving Central New York

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