Online Dementia Certification for Professional Caregivers
Start down the path to less stress and more companionship today! Enroll in our online dementia certification course and become a DDCS in just 8 weeks. Learn how to provide kind, strength-based dementia care, so you can take person-centered care from theory to practice.
The Dementia & Alzheimer’s Wellbeing Network (DAWN) Method uses some of the best researched interventions to support the loss of executive functioning and memory. Applying those interventions in a highly contextual approach with detailed knowledge of the individual, DAWN creates a respectful, personalized approach that honours each individual who experiences Alzheimer’s or Dementia. We need this method throughout the U.S. to meet the rising crisis of people needing support.
– Patricia Sublette, Ph.D, Formerly Traumatic Brain Injury Consultant, Teaching Research, Western Oregon University
What it is:
- ✓36 video lessons with accompanying quizzes
- ✓Quizzes must be passed at 87% (students may retake quizzes as many times as needed to pass)
- ✓DDCS Certificate awarded at completion
What you gain:
- ✓More confidence
- ✓Less stress and more companionship with clients
- ✓Increased ability to meet the emotional needs that dementia and Alzheimer’s causes
For more details about this course, please see the DAWN Dementia Care Specialist certification page.
Get certified in the DAWN Method
This course is for individual caregivers. If you are an agency or memory care facility, please see our dementia training program for agencies and facilities.
Price: $499.00 for two year certification (renews at $49.00)
Reviews of the DAWN Dementia Certification course:
“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., DDCS
Professional caregiver in Washington state
“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., DDCS
“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., DDCS
Professional caregiver
“The Dementia & Alzheimer’s Wellbeing Network (DAWN) Method uses some of the best researched interventions to support the loss of executive functioning and memory. Applying those interventions in a highly contextual approach with detailed knowledge of the individual, DAWN creates a respectful, personalized approach that honours each individual who experiences Alzheimer’s or Dementia. We need this method throughout the U.S. to meet the rising crisis of people needing support.”
Patricia Sublette, Ph.D, Formerly Traumatic Brain Injury Consultant, Teaching Research, Western Oregon University
“Amazing, life changing material. Judy teaches with such love and compassion. I wish we had known about this when my father had dementia. It would have made his last years so much easier and more peaceful, rather than filled with stress and strife.”
J.S., DDCS
Professional caregiver in Idaho
“I feel honored to have the ability to care for these clients. Your training course gives me the confidence to face each day with them. While I feel that I am still learning, there is comfort in knowing I have a resource to rely on. Thank you for that!”
Rebecca A., DDCS
Professional caregiver in Washington state
“I just completed the DAWN Method of caregiving course. I found the program has helped reduce stress levels substantially for both the client and myself. My client tends to get upset when he can’t find things. I found the method of chattering while looking really calms him down. I highly recommend this program to families dealing with dementia. Thank you Judy, I really enjoyed working with you.”
Lisa H., DDCS
Professional caregiver
“Thought the questions were well-constructed. I was often amazed at how much care went into the creation of this course. Questions were good. I agonized over several of them and then would read too much into it – I usually got those incorrect but it was helpful. Taking the course and quizzes showed me the areas where I was not solid. Having worked with clients gave me experiences to reflect upon. Some I had handled well. Some I learned I will improve upon in the future. This was better than just reading. The feedback from taking the quizzes was reinforcing.”
Joan M., DDCS
Professional caregiver in Idaho
“The DAWN Method has completely changed the way I approach dementia-care with both home care settings as well as in OT settings in assisted living and memory care facilities. I think every person who interacts with people living with dementia would greatly benefit from this material.”
L.W., DDCS
Professional caregiver
