The James L. West Center partnered with UNT Health to create a dementia training course for the direct care workforce. Eventually comprising eight modules, the course meets the State of Texas training requirements for nursing home and assisted living staff and confers CE credit to other health care professionals.

Understanding Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

This module explains the differences in symptoms and characteristics for Alzheimer's Disease, vascular dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, Mixed Dementia, and Mild Cognitive Impairment. It also covers best practices in care to manage dementia symptoms.

What to Expect & Person-Centered Approaches at Each Stage of Dementia

What to Expect & Person-Centered Approaches at Each Stage describes common characteristics and changes occurring at each stage of dementia as well as person-centered approaches that focus on quality of life.

Building Care Together: Collaborative Assessments & Planning

Interdisciplinary, person-centered care addresses the growing complexity of dementia across care settings. This module demonstrates the knowledge and communication strategies that promote effective collaboration across healthcare roles and settings.

Understanding and Supporting Behavioral Expressions in Dementia Care

The course highlights common behavioral expressions and reinforces communication practices learned in a previous course, including validation and nonverbal communication. Emphasis is placed on proactive strategies that reduce escalation, support dignity, and improve quality of life while decreasing caregiver stress.

More than Words: Communication Practices & Upholding Resident Rights in Dementia Care

The course emphasizes resident rights including privacy, choice, consent, freedom from abuse and restraints, and the right to meaningful participation in care. Through applied strategies such as validation, active listening, and culturally responsive communication, learners will strengthen their ability to reduce distress, support ethical decision-making, and improve quality of life for individuals living with dementia and their families.

How to Use POLST in Texas

Texas Talks developed this training to grow the use of POLST and education about its benefits in Texas. The online enduring activity will address overcoming barriers regarding the legal status of orders, practical usage as a best practice, and comfort in using and having conversations about POLST. The activity will provide a safe opportunity to practice the knowledge and skills.

As part of the national network of Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Programs funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, we offer FREE training for primary care, nursing home, direct care, and supportive care workforces to improve age-friendly and dementia-friendly care for older adults.