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Professional Development

Memory Disorders: Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Support

Care for residents living with Alzheimer's and dementia as whole people, not diagnoses. Understand the disease and its stages, recognize the signs and behaviors, communicate and connect ("connect, don't correct"), find the need behind the behavior, provide safe and dignified daily care, and recognize when a sudden change is a medical red flag — not "just the dementia." CNAs provide person-centered care and report changes; they do not diagnose, stage, or manage medications.

1h1 Online CE hourintermediateCAL ACE Faculty

Overview

Care for residents living with Alzheimer's and dementia as whole people, not diagnoses. Understand the disease and its stages, recognize the signs and behaviors, communicate and connect ("connect, don't correct"), find the need behind the behavior, provide safe and dignified daily care, and recognize when a sudden change is a medical red flag — not "just the dementia." CNAs provide person-centered care and report changes; they do not diagnose, stage, or manage medications.

Course curriculum

What you'll learn

A structured path from your first lesson through certificate-ready completion — designed for busy California CNAs.

1h
3 modules
12 lessons
1 Online CE hour

Skills & knowledge gained

  • Understand Alzheimer's and dementia as brain diseases — not normal aging or a choice
  • Recognize the stages, signs, and behaviors of dementia
  • Communicate and connect using "connect, don't correct" and person-centered care
  • Find the need behind the behavior and provide calm, safe, dignified daily care
  • Recognize a sudden change as a possible medical problem and report it — and stay within CNA scope

Your learning path

  1. Understanding Alzheimer's & Dementia

    4 lessons · ~20 min

  2. Recognizing Dementia & Understanding Behavior

    4 lessons · ~20 min

  3. Responding, Your Role, and Application

    4 lessons · ~20 min

  4. Certificate of completion

    Pass the final exam and active participation requirements to earn your CE certificate.

Module breakdown

Module 1

Understanding Alzheimer's & Dementia

  • Introduction
  • Terms & Definitions
  • Statistics
  • Fundamentals

Module 2

Recognizing Dementia & Understanding Behavior

  • Signs & Symptoms
  • Causes
  • Your Care Is the Treatment
  • Prevention

Module 3

Responding, Your Role, and Application

  • Sudden Change & Responding to Distress
  • CNA's Role in Care
  • Brief Case Study
  • Conclusion

Course outline

Module 1: Understanding Alzheimer's & Dementia

  1. 1. Introduction5 min
  2. 2. Terms & Definitions5 min
  3. 3. Statistics5 min
  4. 4. Fundamentals5 min

Module 2: Recognizing Dementia & Understanding Behavior

  1. 1. Signs & Symptoms5 min
  2. 2. Causes5 min
  3. 3. Your Care Is the Treatment5 min
  4. 4. Prevention5 min

Module 3: Responding, Your Role, and Application

  1. 1. Sudden Change & Responding to Distress5 min
  2. 2. CNA's Role in Care5 min
  3. 3. Brief Case Study5 min
  4. 4. Conclusion5 min

Provider & completion requirements

Provider: CAL ACE Nursing Academy

CAL ACE Nursing Academy · support@cna.school · (408) 256-0763

To earn your certificate

  • Sign in with your learner account
  • Complete interactive lesson content (60 minutes active participation for 1 Online CE hour)
  • Pass the final course exam
  • Submit the learner attestation before your certificate is issued

Support: support@cna.school

Free

Full course & certificate included

Not enrolled