Disclaimer about purchase: **Important Note:** This 2.5-hour course overlaps with the first 2.5 hours of the 4.75-hour course. They should not be taken at the same time, as no new information will be provided in the 2.5-hour course that isn't already included in the 4.75-hour training.

Following the initial 4-hour dementia training, direct care staff are required to complete at least 2 hours of dementia training every 2 years as per Colorado State Bill 22-079. This 2.5-hour education course addresses the ongoing needs outlined in the legislation.

• Enhanced Knowledge: Gain a deeper understanding of dementia and related disabilities, including person-centered care and dementia care planning.
• Practical Skills: Learn effective approaches to managing activities of daily living and addressing dementia-related behaviors and communication strategies.
• Video Demonstrations: Watch informative videos that contrast traditional care methods with the SPECAL Method, showcasing best practices in dementia care.
• Reflective Exercises: Engage in reflective exercises designed to deepen your understanding and application of the concepts learned throughout the course.
• Understanding the SPECAL Method: Explore the SPECAL Method, developed by The Contented Dementia Trust, which uses a Photograph Album analogy to easily explain how normal memory works, the impacts of aging, and the single dramatic change that occurs with the onset of dementia. 
• Behavioral Insights: Learn how to interpret patients' behaviors and moods as expressions of their feelings rather than facts, enabling you to adjust your responses to better support patients in making sense of their environment.
• Empathetic Care Approaches: Develop skills to recognize and respond to the physical, functional, psychosocial, behavioral, or environmental needs communicated through patients' behaviors, fostering a caring and empathetic approach.
• Dementia-Friendly Techniques: Acquire essential techniques for providing successful care to individuals living with dementia, ensuring a supportive and understanding environment.