About CARES® Dementia-Related Behavior™

The CARES® Dementia-Related Behavior™ Online Training Program focuses on the behavior of people with dementia that is hard to understand and difficult to respond to. Sometimes referred to as "challenging behavior" or "inappropriate behavior," we use the term "dementia-related behavior" as a person-centered, respectful term that does not put blame on the person with dementia.

You’ll learn thoughtful and effective ways to care for people with dementia when they are confused, frustrated, scared, or angry. You'll learn what to do when a person with dementia yells, curses, hits, kicks, or bites. And, you'll learn when and how to respond to sexual behavior. Knowing these new ways of caring can make the behavior less severe. This can make caregiving less stressful for you and make life better for the person with dementia.

This program has 4 modules (4 hours). The modules include:

1. Introduction to Dementia-Related Behavior
2. Using the CARES® Approach with Dementia-Related Behavior
3. Breaking down the CARES® Approach for Dementia-Related Behavior
4. Key Responses to Dementia-Related Behavior

There is also a "Values" section that helps users understand how values and beliefs can impact care.

CARES® was developed with the Alzheimer’s Association, with input from a national team of experts. CARES content incorporates evidence-based strategies from the Alzheimer's Association Dementia Care Practice Recommendations that have been supported by more than 30 leading health and senior care organizations. View and print a summary of academic research and national awards related to CARES® online training programs.

About Alzheimer’s Association essentiALZ® Plus Certification

Each person who completes CARES® Dementia-Related Behavior™ is eligible to take the Alzheimer’s Association essentiALZ® Plus Dementia-Related Behavior certification exam. Individual essentiALZ certification is ideal for staff members at nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospice, home and health organizations, adult day programs, governmental and social service agencies, and police, fire, and other first responders.

Note: In order to get certified in essentiALZ Plus Dementia-Related Behavior, you must first complete CARES® Dementia Basics™ and have Alzheimer’s Association essentiALZ certification. Certifications are good for two years.

Other Benefits

CARES Dementia-Related Behavior offers additional benefits such as:

1. Alzheimer’s Association essentiALZ® Plus certification
2. Free CARES® Worksheets for each training module
3. Individual pricing and site license purchasing options

CARES Administrative Portal access

With any site license purchase, you will receive access to our CARES Administrative Portal to:

1. Manage training compliance.
2. Evaluate the individual progress of all staff members.
3. Run customized reports for any time period.
4. Download detailed documentation including employee name, module status, and date of program completion.
5. Print individual completion certificates for group training sessions.