U-First!® dementia training

U-First!® is a standardized training program designed to help frontline staff develop a common knowledge base, language and approach to caring for people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

health care aide walking with resident

Eligibility

U-First!® dementia training is currently available to frontline staff working in publicly funded long-term care homes through funding provided by the Province of British Columbia. Frontline staff includes the non-regulated sector (for example, health-care assistants, recreation and dietary staff) and the regulated sector (for example, nurses, social workers,  physiotherapists and occupational therapists). If you are eligible, you will be informed when training becomes available through your health authority or organization.

Applicable funding includes the cost of registration and training materials.

For questions about U-First!®, contact: [email protected]. In your email, please include the name of the organization you work for and your role within the organization.

If you are not currently eligible for U-First!® training, please check out the education for health-care providers in B.C. for other ways to increase your dementia knowledge. 

About U-First!® 

U-First!® is a person-centred dementia training program aligned with the PIECESTM framework for providing care to those who are displaying behavioural changes due to dementia and other cognitive impairments.

If you are caring for someone living with dementia, the U-First!® program will help you:

  • Understand that there can be many reasons why people living with dementia experiences behavioural changes.
  • Flag the possible changes that you may see when you are supporting a person living with dementia.
  • Interact in a new way with both skill and a common understanding of dementia.
  • Reflect and report on new behaviours you may see in the person you are supporting and share your strategies and tips with the care team.
  • Support the person living with dementia, their family and friends in everyday activities.
  • Know that you are part of an important Team in caring for the person living with dementia.

Training formats

Options for taking the training include:

  • In-person training: Seven-hour interactive workshop (including breaks and lunch provided.)
  • Online training: Seven-hour interactive workshop through Zoom (including breaks)
  • Three-week eLearning course: includes weekly requirements and a mandatory one-hour live webinar online through Zoom

Workshops are offered by experienced facilitators. Participants receive a U-First!® certificate following completion of the training program. 

Which training format is best for me?
To know which one is best for you, click HERE to learn more about each training format.

Which U-First!® training format fits me?

We offer a variety of training formats to meet the preferences and needs of health-care staff across British Columbia. Our flexible delivery options ensure everyone can access the training. Learn more about each modality below and find the one that works best for you or your team.

Learn more
Health-care worker and senior walking together in a care home

U-First!® train-the-trainer program

The U-First!® train-the-trainer program helps long-term care homes build internal capacity by training staff to deliver the U-First!® workshop directly to their teams as certified U-First!® facilitators.

Learn more
a health-care provider holding hands

Education for health-care providers

We offer self-paced online learning, webinars and phone support services for health-care providers who work with people affected by dementia. For frontline staff working in publicly funded long term care, we also offer U-First!® dementia training.

Learn more
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