Your dementia education journey begins today
In collaboration with SafeCare BC, the Alzheimer Society of B.C. is excited to announce the launch of Care and Connection on the Dementia Journey, a six-module course designed to introduce health-care providers to the topics of person-centred care, dementia basics, effective dementia communication, responsive behaviours and much more.
Health care for people living with dementia requires specialized education and skills. This introductory course, which learners can complete at their own pace, will provide teaching about dementia and strategies to guide care staff and their managers towards evidence-based approaches to dementia care.
Since the release of the course in March 2024, over 250 healthcare providers have enrolled, with 100 per cent of learners rating the course as excellent or good.
“The course was wonderful,” says Nancy Stewart, a care aide at Haven Hill. “It will help me to better communicate with my residents. I loved that the course was self-paced so I could work it around my schedule.”
Care and Connection isn’t just for frontline workers, all managers and leaders can benefit as well. Shannon Coco, Haven Hill’s general manager had this to say: “Thank you for providing a valuable education resource for staff who are caring for individuals with dementia. The course was informative, easy to follow, and very helpful that it was self-paced, so staff could attend around their busy schedules.”
The launch of this collaboration comes at a crucial time, as the need for dementia education and quality care increases. Nearly 85,000 British Columbians are currently living with dementia, with two out of every three people in the province affected by the disease in some way1. By 2050, it is projected that nearly 250,000 residents of British Columbia will receive a dementia diagnosis. Over the next few decades, many of these people will be transitioning to live in care or receive home support. We strongly encourage health-care providers to enroll in this introductory course and to begin their dementia education journey today.
Access to Care and Connection on the Dementia Journey
Access to the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s Building a Strong Foundation for Dementia Care workbook
1. Alzheimer Society of B.C. (2022). New report: The Landmark Study Part 1. https://admin.alzheimer.ca/bc/en/whats-happening/news/new-report-landmark-study-part-1