DAWN Dementia Care Specialist Certification (DDCS) for Individual Caregivers
Are you interested in earning your DAWN Dementia Care Specialist certification (DDCS) in the DAWN Method® of dementia care? This online dementia training for caregivers typically takes 8 weeks to complete and will teach you how to provide strength-based, person-centered dementia care.
The DAWN Method can decrease stress for both you and your client(s). It focuses on meeting the emotional needs that are a result of experiencing dementia.
DAWN Dementia Care Specialist Certification (DDCS) for Individual Caregivers
Are you interested in earning your DAWN Dementia Care Specialist certification (DDCS) in the DAWN Method® of dementia care? This online dementia training for caregivers typically takes 8 weeks to complete and will teach you how to provide strength-based, person-centered dementia care.
The DAWN Method can decrease stress for both you and your client(s). It focuses on meeting the emotional needs that are a result of experiencing dementia.
Testimonials from DAWN Certified Dementia Care Specialists
When I have the privilege of giving even glimpses of the DAWN method to a family, it’s as if they get to take a deep breath for the first time in a really long time.”
~ Jill Couch, Fort Collins, CO, Professional Caregiver & DAWN Trainer
Being a caregiver is one of the most rewarding jobs there is. But without a compassionate and understanding method like the DAWN Method, it can be difficult to find the source of the behavior and turn it into something positive in a loving manner. I have a client who is very determined to feel in control. I use the tools of the DAWN Method every day with her. It took a few months, but she now feels completely in control in several areas, despite her dementia. Before I had been trained in the DAWN Method, I had nothing but common sense and compassion guiding me. Now I feel that with creativity and the DAWN tools I can help anyone who needs care.”
~ Erica R., Moscow, ID, Professional Caregiver
I have a lot of experience in caregiving and working with seniors. I have found the DAWN tools to be very helpful. One of the tools is mood management. I have a client who is often frustrated by not being able to find the words she wants to say. When we get in my car, I point out the beauty in the sky and clouds, describing them for her, and then tell her they remind me of a favorite song. We start singing “There’s a Blue Sky Way Up Yonder.” Singing is her happy place, where she can experience a positive mood. When I tell her that she taught me a cowboy song back when I first knew her and we begin singing it, she always so feels so good to have given me something beautiful, too.
The DAWN tool of social success has worked so well with another client. When she and I are out, we often meet a friend of hers from church. At first, her friend would constantly ask her questions and she would become very nervous and embarrassed. Using the social success tool, I began to ask the friend questions and get the friend to open up and tell us about herself and her friendship with my client. Soon my client’s friend learned to look at her and include her in what she was saying, but not ask questions. My client now greatly enjoys meeting this friend, loves having conversations with her, and no longer feels threatened. ”
~ Megan B., Moscow, ID, Professional Caregiver
I work with a client who has many caregivers, but only two of us use the DAWN Method. When we DAWN caregivers have a shift immediately following some of the others, we find her more confused and anxious, voicing her despair about how “stupid” she is. As a DAWN caregiver, I know my job is to protect her dignity and help her live her life at her own pace, in the comfort of any fond memories she is able to retain. When I use the DAWN tools that are habilitative and person-centered care, and can be so easily learned and applied, it restores her wellbeing.”
~ D.W., Pullman, WA, Professional Caregiver
To us, as DAWN dementia care professionals, it seems so normal that our clients can rely on their intuitive thought processes and lead happy lives. Yet most caregivers think people with dementia or Alzheimer’s are angry and difficult. Not our clients! The DAWN Method brings happiness. The classes we offer will change your life and the life of your loved one.”
~ H.S., Moscow, ID, Professional Caregiver
Testimonials from DAWN Certified Dementia Care Specialists
I work with a client who has many caregivers, but only two of us use the DAWN Method. When we DAWN caregivers have a shift immediately following some of the others, we find her more confused and anxious, voicing her despair about how “stupid” she is. As a DAWN caregiver, I know my job is to protect her dignity and help her live her life at her own pace, in the comfort of any fond memories she is able to retain. When I use the DAWN tools that are habilitative and person-centered care, and can be so easily learned and applied, it restores her wellbeing.”
~ D.W., Pullman, WA, Professional Caregiver
Being a caregiver is one of the most rewarding jobs there is. But without a compassionate and understanding method like the DAWN Method, it can be difficult to find the source of the behavior and turn it into something positive in a loving manner. I have a client who is very determined to feel in control. I use the tools of the DAWN Method every day with her. It took a few months, but she now feels completely in control in several areas, despite her dementia. Before I had been trained in the DAWN Method, I had nothing but common sense and compassion guiding me. Now I feel that with creativity and the DAWN tools I can help anyone who needs care.”
~ Erica R., Moscow, ID, Professional Caregiver
When I have the privilege of giving even glimpses of the DAWN method to a family, it’s as if they get to take a deep breath for the first time in a really long time.”
~ Jill Couch, Fort Collins, CO, Professional Caregiver & DAWN Trainer
To us, as DAWN dementia care professionals, it seems so normal that our clients can rely on their intuitive thought processes and lead happy lives. Yet most caregivers think people with dementia or Alzheimer’s are angry and difficult. Not our clients! The DAWN Method brings happiness. The classes we offer will change your life and the life of your loved one.”
~ H.S., Moscow, ID, Professional Caregiver
I have a lot of experience in caregiving and working with seniors. I have found the DAWN tools to be very helpful. One of the tools is mood management. I have a client who is often frustrated by not being able to find the words she wants to say. When we get in my car, I point out the beauty in the sky and clouds, describing them for her, and then tell her they remind me of a favorite song. We start singing “There’s a Blue Sky Way Up Yonder.” Singing is her happy place, where she can experience a positive mood. When I tell her that she taught me a cowboy song back when I first knew her and we begin singing it, she always so feels so good to have given me something beautiful, too.
The DAWN tool of social success has worked so well with another client. When she and I are out, we often meet a friend of hers from church. At first, her friend would constantly ask her questions and she would become very nervous and embarrassed. Using the social success tool, I began to ask the friend questions and get the friend to open up and tell us about herself and her friendship with my client. Soon my client’s friend learned to look at her and include her in what she was saying, but not ask questions. My client now greatly enjoys meeting this friend, loves having conversations with her, and no longer feels threatened. ”
~ Megan B., Moscow, ID, Professional Caregiver
Learn the DAWN Method of dementia care
If you are a caregiver working with people who are experiencing dementia you know it is exhausting and difficult. Dementia care isn’t easy, but it can be less stressful if you recognize and work with the strengths and skills dementia does not take away. Learning to use the tools of the DAWN Method can drastically improve your clients’ outlook as well as your own.
How is DAWN dementia care training different?
The DAWN Method of dementia care is a strength-based approach to dementia care. This means that we focus on the person and the skills that they keep, even though they are losing other skills to dementia. A DAWN caregiver learns how to avoid asking a person with dementia to use skills that they no longer have. This helps the person to be less embarrassed and to feel more at ease and secure in your care.
What is the dementia certification course like?
The training is divided into eight lessons of 3 to 7 video topics. Each video is between 10-20 minutes and is followed by a quiz with 10-20 questions. We recommend that you complete no more than one video topic and quiz per day. (Most caregivers complete the course in about 8 weeks.) This is important so that you have time to absorb the information and make the necessary mind shift, as well as have some time to try out the new tools and techniques one at a time with your client(s). Once DAWN dementia certified, your certification is valid for 2 years.
Here's a sample video from the DAWN Dementia Care Specialist certification course. Listen as Judy describes why person-centered dementia care works in a video topic from Lesson 1:
DAWN certification details
- Online dementia certification course: 36 videos and quizzes that can be watched as many times as needed for competency.
- Training in strength-based, person-centered dementia care with two-year certification.
- Consultation and problem-solving with DAWN Trainers.
- DAWN Dementia Care Specialist Handbook for quick reference.
- Nationwide recognition as a DAWN Dementia Care Specialist (DDCS).
- Employment referrals from the DAWN Network for caregivers seeking employment who have completed their DDCS certification.
- Course cost: $1,600.00 USD.
- Contact us at the DAWN Method and begin your path to dementia certification today.
Request more information
Learn the DAWN Method of dementia care
If you are a caregiver working with people who are experiencing dementia you know it is exhausting and difficult. Dementia care isn’t easy, but it can be less stressful if you recognize and work with the strengths and skills dementia does not take away. Learning to use the tools of the DAWN Method can drastically improve your clients’ outlook as well as your own.
How is DAWN dementia care training different?
The DAWN Method of dementia care is a strength-based approach to dementia care. This means that we focus on the person and the skills that they keep, even though they are losing other skills to dementia. A DAWN caregiver learns how to avoid asking a person with dementia to use skills that they no longer have. This helps the person to be less embarrassed and to feel more at ease and secure in your care.
What is the dementia certification course like?
The training is divided into eight lessons of 3 to 7 video topics. Each video is between 10-20 minutes and is followed by a quiz with 10-20 questions. We recommend that you complete no more than one video topic and quiz per day. (Most caregivers complete the course in about 8 weeks.) This is important so that you have time to absorb the information and make the necessary mind shift, as well as have some time to try out the new tools and techniques one at a time with your client(s). Once DAWN dementia certified, your certification is valid for 2 years.
Here's a sample video from the DAWN Dementia Care Specialist certification course. Listen as Judy describes why person-centered dementia care works in a video topic from Lesson 1:
DAWN certification details
- Online dementia certification course: 36 videos and quizzes that can be watched as many times as needed for competency.
- Training in strength-based, person-centered dementia care with two-year certification.
- Consultation and problem-solving with DAWN Trainers.
- DAWN Dementia Care Specialist Handbook for quick reference.
- Nationwide recognition as a DAWN Dementia Care Specialist (DDCS).
- Employment referrals from the DAWN Network for caregivers seeking employment who have completed their DDCS certification.
- Course cost: $1,600.00 USD.
- Contact us at the DAWN Method and begin your path to dementia certification today.
Request more information
Topics covered in the DAWN dementia care certification course
Learn how to:
- Spot the warning signs of dementia
- Understand why the new person-centered care is so effective
- Manage interactions so that your client can stay relaxed and enjoy the present
- Capitalize on the thinking skills dementia patients will not lose
- Maximize your client’s level of functioning
In Lesson 1, Judy explains how dementia becomes so much easier to live with and understand when we stop trying to make sense of it from a medical perspective, and instead approach it as a condition that changes how a person functions—seeing not just what those experiencing dementia become unable to do, but also the very valuable skills they retain.
Meeting the emotional needs caused by dementia and Alzheimer’s
Lessons 2 through 8 cover the seven emotional needs caused by dementia and the DAWN tools and techniques that address them.
Lessons that cover the tools of the DAWN Method
- Lesson 2—Mood Management
- Lesson 3—Security in Confusion
- Lesson 4—Security in Care
- Lesson 5—Social Success
- Lesson 6—Sense of Control
- Lesson 7—Sense of Value
- Lesson 8—Secure Future
Topics covered in the DAWN dementia care certification course
Learn how to:
- Spot the warning signs of dementia
- Understand why the new person-centered care is so effective
- Manage interactions so that your client can stay relaxed and enjoy the present
- Capitalize on the thinking skills dementia patients will not lose
- Maximize your client’s level of functioning
In Lesson 1, Judy explains how dementia becomes so much easier to live with and understand when we stop trying to make sense of it from a medical perspective, and instead approach it as a condition that changes how a person functions—seeing not just what those experiencing dementia become unable to do, but also the very valuable skills they retain.
Meeting the emotional needs caused by dementia and Alzheimer’s
Lessons 2 through 8 cover the seven emotional needs caused by dementia and the DAWN tools and techniques that address them.
Lessons that cover the tools of the DAWN Method
- Lesson 2—Mood Management
- Lesson 3—Security in Confusion
- Lesson 4—Security in Care
- Lesson 5—Social Success
- Lesson 6—Sense of Control
- Lesson 7—Sense of Value
- Lesson 8—Secure Future
Learn more
Contact us at the DAWN Method and begin your path to dementia certification today.
Request more information about DAWN Certification