Why I Believe in the Certified Dementia Practitioner Program

When I became a Certified Dementia Practitioner CDP Trainer through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners in 2016, I didn’t realize just how frequently I would use the tools and resources I gained through the training. My initial intent was to use the training to better care for the people I was serving in my role as a clinical care coordinator in Mountain View Personal Care at Garden Spot Village. I soon realized this was a tool that could help our community increase our commitment to person-centered care.

The eight-hour CDP curriculum includes 14 modules written with input from a variety of healthcare professionals and disciplines. Nurses, geriatric case managers, psychiatrists, therapeutic recreation specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, elder law attorneys — the list of people who invested in creating this program goes on and on. The wisdom and experience invested make it a powerful and practical resource.

It’s a Toolbox You Keep Coming Back To

For me, the most valuable piece of CDP training is the relevance. Every two years, the curriculum is revamped and tweaked to stay current with new research, evolving best practices, and the realities of dementia care today. While it was originally designed for those directly working with dementia patients, its reach has expanded so much further.

I love that this training isn’t just for caregivers or medical staff. It’s for anyone who touches the lives of people living with dementia: art therapists, audiologists, dieticians, podiatrists, music therapists, occupational and physical therapists and elder law attorneys. Everyone walks away with something they can immediately apply to their daily work.

Practical, Person-Centered, and Holistic

The CDP training covers everything from understanding the different types of dementia to practical strategies for handling Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), behaviors, and communication challenges. It explains how the brain works, how dementia affects it, and how caregivers can respond with compassion and empathy.

There are “ah-ha” moments throughout the training — those lightbulb realizations that stick with you long after the class ends. At its heart, the program reinforces something I am deeply passionate about: person-centered, holistic care. It’s about knowing the person — their history, their stories — so that as the disease progresses, you can still meet their needs with dignity and respect.

Tools That Truly Work

The CDP program doesn’t just offer theory. It’s full of real-world strategies that work — tools for addressing sundowning, resistance to bathing and more. The practical training equips caregivers to approach difficult situations thoughtfully and creatively.

One of the most exciting additions over the years has been the partnership with Montessori-based dementia training. The Montessori approach challenges the idea that brain changes mean life stops. Instead, the Montessori approach encourages purposeful living, meaningful engagement and creative problem-solving.

A Commitment to Excellence, Continuing Education and Support

Becoming a CDP isn’t just about adding letters after your name. It’s a process that includes a commitment to working in geriatric care. It requires ongoing training every two years as well as quarterly magazine full of resources that will help you serve people living with dementia in a more caring and compassionate way.

In summary, it’s not a one-and-done certification — it’s a community of professionals continually learning and growing.

For Families, Caregivers, and Professionals

Kelly Sweigart, the Sales Director at Garden Spot Village, recently completed the CDP training. She says, “In my job, I regularly meet with people who have memory challenges. I want to be able to serve and support them as they go through a major transition like moving to a retirement community. The course taught me how dementia presents differently in each individual and deepened my empathy for people living with brain changes.”

As Kelly says, whether you’re a social worker, a family member, or a caregiver in a skilled nursing or personal care community, CDP training offers something invaluable: understanding. Learning more about dementia helps break down stigma, equips you with practical strategies, and reminds us all that every person — regardless of their diagnosis — is worthy of our time, attention, and respect.

Dementia care can be hard. It can be heartbreaking. But with the right tools, knowledge, and heart, we can create moments of joy, connection, and dignity for the people we serve.

Janie brings hands-on experience in providing quality, compassionate nursing care in multiple environments. A licensed practical nurse, Janie is deeply passionate about excellence in person-centered care with a priority focus on the physical, emotional, and spiritual advocacy for people with dementia. Janie was a care partner in her own mother’s journey through dementia, and as a young wife, Janie cared for her husband who suffered cognitive decline due to a brain tumor. These experiences add up to her ability to support from several perspectives. Her certifications include Dementia Practitioner, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer, Medication Administration Trainer and Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional. Through ForgeWorks, Janie offers CDP training to professionals and families serving loved ones living with dementia.