Top Dementia Care Training Courses: A Comprehensive Guide

 

1. Certified Advanced Dementia Care Specialist (CDC™)

Provider: Chartered Institute of Professional Certifications

• Overview: A globally recognized, CPD-accredited program that covers dementia types, behavior management, person-centered care, ethical and legal concerns, and caregiver support. charteredcertifications.com

• Why it stands out: Offers a comprehensive curriculum blending theory and practical strategies—ideal for professionals seeking leadership roles in dementia care. charteredcertifications.com

• Benefits: Prestigious CDC™ designation, validated competence, enhanced career prospects. charteredcertifications.com

2. Alzheimer’s Association: essentiALZ® and Recognized Training Programs

Provider: Alzheimer's Association

• Programs include:

  • essentiALZ®: Focused, 3-hour training plus certification exam. Alzheimer’s Association

  • Other recognized providers:

    • Home Care Pulse – 8.5 hours (Alzheimer’s Disease Specialist Training)

    • CareAcademy™ – 10 hours (Dementia Care Certification)

    • Healthcare Interactive® – CARES® Dementia Basics™ – 4 hours

    • Plus others like AlzBetter, Mission Care Collective, Relias, etc.Alzheimer’s Association

• Why it stands out: All these programs are vetted for core dementia care competencies through Alzheimer’s Association recognition.

3. Dementia Training Australia: “Leading Quality Dementia Care” & Leadership Courses

Provider: Dementia Australia (DTA)

• Leading Quality Dementia Care:

  • Free, five-week online course blending virtual classrooms and e-learning modules.

  • Covers empathy, trust-building, stress management, and self-leadership. dementia.org.au

• Demonstrating Dementia Leadership:

  • A six-week leadership development course aligned with Certificate IV in Dementia Practice.

  • Aimed at equipping future leaders with practical change strategies. dementia.org.au

• Why it stands out: Government-funded, accessible, and designed to develop both care and leadership skills.

4. Certificate in Dementia Care (QQI Level 5) – Ireland

Provider: LHP Skillnet (co-funded by Government of Ireland & EU)

• Format: Nine-week course with live tutorials and assessments, hosted on Moodle. lhpskillnet.ie

• Content: Covers dementia types, delirium, frailty, person-centered care, and professional reflection. lhpskillnet.ie

• Outcome: QQI Level 5 Certificate—officially accredited and recognized in Ireland. lhpskillnet.ie

5. Buckinghamshire New University: Dementia Care (Levels 6 & 7)

Provider: Buckinghamshire New University, UK

• Format: 15-week distance-learning part-time course starting February 2025. bucks.ac.uk

• Content: Neurobiology, ethics, legal issues, care planning, interprofessional working, capacity and safeguarding. bucks.ac.uk

• Accreditation: Meets Tier 3 Dementia Core Skills Education and Training Framework. bucks.ac.uk

6. IBIS Training Dementia Care Course – UK

Provider: IBIS Training

• Format: Online, self-paced e-learning of ~1 hour 17 minutes. ibis.training

• Topics: Communication, independence promotion, reassurance to families, assistive technologies, well-being. ibis.training

• Perks: Highly affordable (~£20), with volume discounts and a money-back guarantee. ibis.training

7. Macskills Dementia Care Training Course – Kenya

Provider: Macskills Training & Development Institute

• Format: Five-day in-person course in Nairobi, with scheduled dates throughout 2025. macskillsdevelopment.com

• Coursework: Dementia causes, creative activity engagement (music, art, sensory), personal care, daily routines, caregiver well-being, legal/financial issues, and resource navigation. macskillsdevelopment.com

• Outcome: Certificate upon completion. Cost: $1,250. macskillsdevelopment.com

8. Dementia Academy MasterClass – Neurology Academy (UK)

Provider: Dementia Academy, part of Neurology Academy

• Target audience: Clinicians—nurses, geriatricians, GPs, psychiatrists. Neurology Academy

• Curriculum: Neuroimaging, delirium assessment, less common dementias, legal issues, carer support, service development. Neurology Academy

• Format: Small-group CPD accredited training with inter-module workplace projects and peer presentations. Neurology Academy

Words from the Dementia Community

From Redditors, we find real-world recommendations and experiences reinforcing the value of these courses:

“The Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre… free for anyone, anywhere… course is very easy to follow.” Reddit

“There is a dementia specialist certification by Evergreen that I took, it was good!” Reddit

“Teepa Snow. All my homies love Teepa Snow. Her website has options for certifications.” Reddit

These insights highlight free, accessible learning and trusted names like Teepa Snow and Evergreen for further exploration.

Guidance Summary Table

Course / Provider	Format & Duration	Key Strength	Certification / Recognition
CDC™	Online, self-paced	Advanced, leadership focus	CDC™ Credential, CPD-accredited
essentiALZ® + Others	Short online courses	Alzheimer’s-vetted, various providers	Alzheimer’s Association recognition
Leading Quality / Leadership (DTA)	Online, 5–6 weeks	Free, funded, leadership-oriented	Practical leadership skill development
QQI Level 5 (Ireland)	9 weeks	Accredited locally, reflective learning	QQI Level 5 Certificate
Bucks University	15-week distance learning	In-depth theory and ethics	Level 6/7 credits, UK framework alignment
IBIS Training	~1.3 hours online	Cheap, fast, workplace-ready	Certificate of Completion
Macskills – Kenya	5 days in-person	Interactive, thorough, regional access	Certificate, in-person support
Dementia Academy	CPD MasterClass (UK)	Clinical depth, peer networking, projects	CPD credits, peer-reviewed projects

Final Thoughts: Which Course Is Right for You?

• Looking for prestige and advanced depth?
  CDC™ or Bucks University courses offer rigorous, accredited learning.

• Need short, Alzheimer’s-vetted training?
  Go for essentiALZ® or other recognized programs like CareAcademy™ or Relias.

• Seeking free or funded options?
  Dementia Australia’s “Leading Quality Dementia Care” provides great value.

• For a balanced, accessible option?
  IBIS Training is efficient and affordable.

• Prefer interactive, in-person learning (especially in Africa)?
  The Nairobi-based Macskills course is a standout.

• Want clinician-focused, CPD-certified training?
  Dementia Academy MasterClass is designed for professionals.

• Need free foundational knowledge?
  Explore Wicking Dementia MOOC, Evergreen, or Teepa Snow offerings.