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Dementia Care and Behavioral Support

  • Open enrollment. Start anytime once access is granted and progress at their own pace once access is granted.
  • Continuing Education for the Activity Professional
  • 8-hour Continuing Education course focused on dementia care and behavioral support for Activity Professionals.
  • Covers dementia types, progression, and behavioral triggers with a person-centered, trauma-informed approach.

Details

Caring for individuals living with dementia requires more than compassion, it requires understanding, skill, and the ability to respond thoughtfully to behaviors that are often expressions of unmet needs.

What Happens After You Enroll

Here’s a clear, step-by-step overview of what to expect after registering for your course with We Care Online.

1 Enroll & Submit Payment

Register for your course and complete your payment securely online.

Note: Some courses have eligibility or prerequisite requirements—please review these before enrolling.

2 Confirmation & Next Steps

You’ll receive a confirmation email with important details about your course, including next steps and any required actions before access is granted.

3 Access Your Course in Canvas

Our team will add you to Canvas, our online learning platform, where you’ll complete your coursework. You will be able to access your course on the course start date.

Access will only be granted after registration is processed and requirements are verified.

4 Instructor Review & Completion

Your instructor reviews completed coursework and verifies that all program requirements are met.

Some courses may include additional documentation, skills verification, or testing.

5 Certificate Issued

Once approved, your certificate is issued through our secure certificate system.

Completion records are maintained in compliance with state and employer requirements.

Program steps may vary slightly by course or state based on regulatory requirements.

8-Hour Online Continuing Education (CE) Course

Dementia Care & Behavioral Support for Activity Professionals is an 8-hour, self-paced course designed for Activity Directors, Activity Assistants, and long-term care staff who support residents with dementia and related cognitive impairments.

This course provides practical, real-world strategies you can apply immediately to improve engagement, reduce distress, and support dignity, autonomy, and emotional safety through activity programming.

Why This Course Matters

Dementia impacts communication, behavior, emotions, and functional ability — often in ways that challenge even experienced care teams. Activity professionals play a unique and essential role in:

  • Creating meaningful moments of connection
  • Supporting emotional well-being
  • Reducing agitation, anxiety, and behavioral escalation
  • Advocating for residents as part of the interdisciplinary care team

You’ll gain tools and confidence to respond effectively and compassionately — even in challenging situations.

What You Will Learn

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Differentiate dementia from Alzheimer’s disease
  • Recognize cognitive and functional changes across dementia stages
  • Identify behavioral expressions as communication
  • Apply validation and de-escalation techniques
  • Design person-centered, trauma-informed activities
  • Support dignity, autonomy, and emotional safety
  • Understand professional boundaries and ethical responsibilities
  • Communicate effectively with the interdisciplinary team

Course Structure & CE Hours

This course includes 8 Continuing Education hours, organized into five modules:

  • Module 1: Foundations of Dementia Care (1.5 CE)
  • Module 2: Understanding Dementia Progression (2.0 CE)
  • Module 3: Behavior as Communication (2.0 CE)
  • Module 4: Person-Centered & Trauma-Informed Activities (1.5 CE)
  • Module 5: Professional Accountability & Ethics (1.0 CE)

Completion Requirements

CE credit is awarded after:

  • Viewing all required pages
  • Completing module content in sequence
  • Successfully completing the final assessment
  • Submitting any required verification forms

Partial CE credit is not awarded.

Course Timeline

Participants have 1 month from enrollment to complete the course and may work at their own pace within that timeframe.

Intended Audience

  • Activity Directors
  • Activity Assistants
  • Long-term care staff
  • Healthcare professionals supporting residents with dementia

Certificate & Educational Disclosure

  • Participants receive a Certificate of Completion upon successful completion
  • This course is educational in nature and designed for continuing education purposes
  • No commercial products are promoted
  • No conflicts of interest are present

Note: Acceptance of continuing education credit may vary by state, employer, or credentialing body. Participants are encouraged to verify acceptance with their facility or regulatory authority.

Instructor & Provider

This course is provided by We Care Online and monitored by Melanie Fischer, RN, bringing a clinical and practical perspective to dementia care and behavioral support.

Enroll Today

Strengthen your skills, deepen your understanding, and enhance the care experience for residents living with dementia. Enroll today and start building more meaningful, supportive, and person-centered activity programming.

Instructor

Department Director / Course Instructor: Melanie Fischer, RN

Melanie Fischer, RN

Melanie Fischer is a dedicated healthcare professional with a passion for helping others. Her journey in the healthcare industry began in 1993 when she sought a summer job during high school and landed a housekeeping position at Ellis Good Sam. While she enjoyed her role, Melanie’s desire to make a more meaningful impact on the residents she served led her to pursue a career in healthcare.

In 2003, Melanie achieved her dream of becoming a registered nurse (RN), and since 2006, she has been a valuable member of the We Care Online team. Alongside her fulfilling career, Melanie and her husband run a farm in Northwest Kansas, where they grow crops and raise cattle, and they are blessed with four beautiful children. Family time is precious to Melanie, and she relishes moments spent with her husband and kids outside of work.

Having experienced the healthcare industry for many years, Melanie shares valuable advice for those aspiring to enter this field. She emphasizes the importance of patience and treating both residents and co-workers with respect and professionalism. Her personal mantra revolves around prioritizing the needs of others above her own.

At We Care Online, Melanie holds a crucial role in ensuring students have the best online learning experience possible. Her responsibilities include answering phone calls for various classes—such as CNA, CMA, CNA Refresher, and Paid Nutrition Assistant courses. Additionally, she assists in setting up classes, overseeing staff, and helping with online and state-related procedures. She is also actively involved in advertising upcoming classes and providing support to students and facilities alike.

While Melanie contributes to We Care Online in multiple ways, she considers her most significant role to be educating students in the classroom and assisting facilities in meeting their staffing needs. Always approachable and eager to help, Melanie is more than happy to answer any inquiries from those interested in the WCO program. Her commitment to her profession and genuine care for others make her an essential asset to the healthcare community.

 

Course Instructor Assistant: Lori Wagoner

 

Lori Wagoner is a dedicated and accomplished professional who serves as an Instructor Assistant for Nurse Aide, Medication Aide, Activity Director, and Social Service Designee courses at We Care Online Classes. With a passion for healthcare and education, Lori brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role, making her an invaluable asset to We Care Online.

In her position as an Instructor Assistant, Lori plays a crucial role in supporting students pursuing careers as nurse aides and medication aides. She brings her extensive expertise in these areas, providing guidance, instruction, and mentorship to help students develop the necessary skills and knowledge required for success in their chosen fields.

Lori’s journey in the healthcare industry began with her pursuit of becoming a nurse aide. Her compassionate nature and commitment to providing excellent patient care made her a natural fit for this role. She quickly gained recognition for her exceptional work ethic and dedication to the well-being of her patients, earning her the respect and admiration of her peers and superiors.

Recognizing the importance of safe and accurate medication administration, Lori further expanded her skill set by becoming a Medication Aide. In this capacity, she developed expertise in administering medications, ensuring the safety and well-being of patients. Her meticulous approach to medication administration and commitment to patient safety have earned her the trust and confidence of both patients and healthcare professionals.

As an Instructor Assistant, Lori combines her practical experience as a nurse aide and medication aide with her passion for education. She helps students understand the fundamentals of these roles and assists them in acquiring the necessary skills to excel in their future careers. Her dedication, patience, and ability to effectively communicate complex concepts make her an exceptional mentor for aspiring healthcare professionals.

In conclusion, Lori Wagoner is a highly skilled and dedicated professional who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as an Instructor Assistant for Nurse Aide and Medication Aide at We Care Online Classes. Through her practical knowledge, passion for education, and commitment to patient care, Lori strives to empower students to succeed in their healthcare careers and make a positive impact on the lives of those they serve. Her invaluable contributions to the field of healthcare education make her an integral part of the We Care Online team.

FAQ

Is this course state-approved?

This course is educational in nature and provides a Certificate of Completion for 8 Continuing Education hours. Acceptance of CE credit may vary by state, employer, or credentialing body. Participants are encouraged to verify acceptance with their facility or regulatory authority.

How long do I have to complete the course?

You have 1 month from the date of enrollment to complete the course. You may work at your own pace within that timeframe.

Is this course self-paced?

Yes. This is a fully online, self-paced course. You may log in and out as needed and complete modules at your convenience within the enrollment period.

How many CE hours does this course provide?

This course provides 8 Continuing Education hours upon successful completion of all required modules and the final assessment.

What do I need to do to receive my certificate?

To receive your Certificate of Completion, you must:

  • Complete all modules in sequence
  • View all required course content
  • Successfully pass the final assessment
  • Submit any required verification forms

Partial credit is not awarded.

Are there any prerequisites?

There are no formal prerequisites. However, the course is intended for professionals working in long-term care or healthcare settings.

What happens if I do not complete the course within 1 month?

If the course is not completed within the enrollment period, access may expire and re-registration may be required.

Is support available if I have questions?

Yes. This course is monitored by a designated Course Monitor. Participants may contact the Course Monitor during their enrollment period for clarification regarding course content or completion requirements.

Requirements

Course Requirements

To successfully complete this course and receive a Certificate of Completion, participants must:

  • Complete all modules in the required sequence
  • View all required course materials and instructional content
  • Successfully complete the final assessment
  • Submit any required verification or attestation forms
  • Complete the course within 1 month of enrollment

 

Partial completion does not qualify for CE credit.

Technical Requirements

Participants must have:

  • Reliable internet access
  • A computer, laptop, or tablet (mobile viewing is permitted but desktop is recommended)
  • Ability to view PDFs and online learning materials
  • A valid email address for course communication and certificate delivery

 

Professional Expectations

Participants are responsible for:

  • Verifying acceptance of CE hours with their state, employer, or credentialing body
  • Completing the course independently
  • Ensuring accuracy of their registration information for certificate issuance

Enrollment Options:

Open Enrollment

Start anytime. This course is self-paced and available once your registration is processed.

Course Information:

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