This 10-module (10-hour) program is a combination of the 4 modules from CARES® Dementia Basics™ and the 6 modules from CARES® Dementia Advanced Care™ and is our best value for comprehensive dementia education. It provides our core dementia care training—focusing on person-centered care, the changes that happen to thinking skills as dementia progresses, how those changes impact behavior, and how to understand behavior as communication. It also covers specific care topics like making a connection, eating, pain, wandering, falls, and eliminating restraints. It includes a wide variety of exercises and video clips of real people with dementia, family members, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), and other staff.

This program is ideal for staff—at nursing homes, CNAs, nurses, supervisors, social workers, administrators, activity professionals, and dietary, laundry, housekeeping, and transportation staff, assisted living, hospice, home health organizations, adult day programs, governmental and social service agencies, police, fire, and other first responders.

CARES® was co-developed with the national office of the Alzheimer's Association, with input from a national team of experts, and is consistent with the latest evidence-based research from the Alzheimer’s Association Campaign for Quality Residential Care Practice Recommendations. Individuals can get certified by the Alzheimer's Association in essentiALZ® and essentiALZ® Plus. Just complete CARES® Dementia Basics & Advanced Care™, take and pass the certification exams, and become certified. EssentiALZ certification allows you to be prepared, demonstrate knowledge, and feel confident in providing the best care for people with dementia.

The 10 modules include:

1. Meet Clara Jones
2. Introduction to Dementia
3. Understanding Behavior as Communication
4. The CARES® Approach
5. Making a Connection with the Person
6. Eating Well
7. Recognizing Pain
8. Minimizing Falls
9. Rethinking Wandering
10. Minimizing and Eliminating Restraints