Welcome to Caregiving College!

Do you ever wonder about the motivations behind ‘problem’ or ‘maladaptive’ behaviors in individuals in your care? By approaching all behavior as communication, we can listen to what an individual may be trying to tell us, discover the reasons behind their behavior, and take steps to meet the needs or concerns behind it. As dementia progresses, the person's ability to communicate will be increasingly impaired. Caregivers need to recognize that individuals in their care have varying abilities to communicate and to find ways to help them compensate. Read more

The purpose of this course is to give caregivers a basic understanding of dementia and the significant challenges it poses in regard to caregiving. The term ‘dementia’ refers to a pattern of features and traits; it is not a disease by itself. Rather, it is associated with many different underlying disorders. The term is used to mean a significant impairment or loss of mental ability. Dementia causes many areas of intellectual ability to decline. It can interfere with the daily functioning of a healthy, alert person. The decline affects many areas, such as vocabulary, judgment, reasoning, physical coordination, and mathematics. Read more

As dementia destroys more of an individual’s ability to perform activities of daily living, it is up to the caregiver to assist the individual in a way that maintains their dignity. This course helps the caregiver understand how dementia affects the daily living activities of an individual. It provides tips and techniques to assist individuals with dementia while also helping them to maintain their independence and dignity. Read more

There is increasing evidence that music can spark compelling outcomes even in the very late stages of Alzheimer's and other dementias. Music can shift mood, manage agitation, stimulate positive social interactions, facilitate cognitive function, and coordinate motor movements. No wonder then, that the subject of the effects of music on dementia care has become so popular. Read more

‘Developmental disability’ is an umbrella term for any condition that disrupts normal development and function during childhood, with the effects often persisting through adulthood. Developmental delays can be caused by a wide variety of conditions affecting the brain. This course covers some of the more common types of developmental disorders, along with care techniques, and particular needs that accompany aging. Read more

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease that results in too much glucose, a form of sugar, in the bloodstream. DM negatively impacts multiple body systems. There are Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and a newer reference to pre-diabetes or borderline diabetes.   The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of diabetes mellitus, its types and causes, clinical criteria for diagnosis, and treatment options, as well as screening and prevention guidelines to enhance the affected individual’s clinical outcomes and as a result, their quality of life. Read more