The Certified Dementia Care Manager® (CDCM®) is the earned credential that recognizes the highest standard in Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care education for those health care professionals who oversee the day to day operations of Alzheimer's and dementia units. The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners®, LLC exists to establish credentialing mechanisms for validating proficiency in Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care education, NCCDP approved trainers, and Certified Dementia Care Managers®. The NCCDP organization ensures the highest standards in Alzheimer's and Dementia education through the training and certification process. The CDCM® certification demonstrates the achievement of specialized training in the areas of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care, Best Practices, and Dementia Unit policy and procedures. The NCCDP is committed to educational programs and training that informs the CDCM® about new changes that influence the certification process.
The benefits of Certified Dementia Care Manager® (CDCM®) certification are numerous to the health care manager who currently oversees the day to day operations of a dementia unit. Health care managers of dementia units have taken the steps to complete comprehensive training in Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care, have completed certification, and have the necessary educational tools to provide supervision, management, and leadership for Alzheimer's and dementia units. CDCM® is essential for today's Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care unit manager as the dementia population continues to rise. The CDCM® certification recognizes the need for standards in the area of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care education, best practices, policy, and procedures to provide quality services by trained health care professionals. Certified Dementia Care Manager® (CDCM®) works to enhance the use of new methods, theories, and tools related to Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care practices.
Certified Dementia Care Manager® (CDCM®) certification provides recognition, competency, and a commitment in the area of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care education. CDCM® certification can assist with job advancement. CDCM® certification promotes the need for education from which all health care professionals can benefit.
A Certified Dementia Care Manager® (CDCM®) completes extensive training in the area of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care, unit policy, procedures, and best practices for dementia units. In addition, the training includes comprehensive “CADDCT” resources in the areas of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. These resources include key aspects of dementia care including communication techniques, disruptive behavior interventions, and tools for addressing concerns such as wandering, aggressive behaviors, poor nutrition, and sexuality issues.
There are numerous benefits to obtaining this professional credential both for you as an individual and to the health care organization.
Health care professionals need CDCM® certification for many reasons.
- To create universal standards for Certified Dementia Care Managers®.
- Enhance the safe and effective best practices in the field of Alzheimer's disease and dementia care.
- To have a clear understanding of Alzheimer's disease and dementia unit policy and procedures.
- To understand the role of CDCM® and oversight responsibilities.
- To expand their knowledge through training and education.
- To validate their Alzheimer's disease and dementia knowledge and skills.
- A desire for continued knowledge in dementia care.
- To enhance their professionalism
- Command recognition from peers.
- Mandates that they abide by the NCCDP Code of Ethics.
- Attests that their work is at a high level of Alzheimer's and dementia expertise.
- Adds credibility to your profession.
- Enhances the Alzheimer's disease and dementia care overall image within the community and among peers.
- Improvement in skills and knowledge.
- Provide a higher quality of work to Alzheimer's disease and dementia patients.
- A greater understanding of the role the trained and certified CDCM® provides in the health care community (facility) with Alzheimer's Disease and dementia patients.
- Demonstration of commitment to one's chosen profession in obtaining a higher level of Alzheimer's disease and dementia care education and certification as a Certified Dementia Care Manager® (CDCM®).
- Preparation for higher job responsibilities and employability.
- Clarifies and articulates personal values and CDCM® ethics.
- Enhances self-esteem through peer recognition.
- Increases self-confidence in problem-solving skills.
- Increases personal and professional credibility.
- Reinforces your commitment to professional excellence.
Additionally, A Certified Dementia Care Manager® (CDCM®) is of benefit to the health care community (facility) as these are health care professionals who have taken the added steps in learning and understanding the dementia patient and complications that arise with this diagnosis. It is a benefit to the health care facility to hire health care professionals who manage dementia units who have this certification. CDCM® certification assists the employer in evaluating potential new hires, evaluate job performance, and motivate other employees who seek CDP® (Certified Dementia Practitioner Certification®) or CDCM® certification.
Certified Dementia Care Managers® (CDCM®) benefits for the health care professional are:
- CDCM® certification advances skills and knowledge in the Alzheimer's Disease and dementia field.
- CDCM® certification shows evidence of a health care professional commitment not only working with the geriatric population but specific subpopulation, the Alzheimer's Disease, and dementia client.
- CDCM® certification is a model for other health care professionals to follow.
- CDCM® certification provides more leaders for the health care field.
- CDCM® certification promotes best practices in the field of Alzheimer's Disease and dementia care.
- CDCM® educates the staff who works on the dementia unit and provides current information to the staff regarding Alzheimer's Disease and dementia issues.
- CDCM® continually updates the policy and procedure manual and ensures the policies are implemented.
- CDCM® educates the staff and ensures all staff is involved in the daily activity program.
- CDCM® promotes education and in turn, promotes professionalism.
- Certification develops a sense of pride and provides the best Alzheimer's Disease and dementia care and activity program for the client.
- Having a CDCM® shows personal commitment as evidenced by their education and training above and beyond what their peers have.
- A CDCM® brings dementia skills and knowledge to their agency, staff, patients, and families.
- A CDCM® enhances and validates the ongoing dementia care that the health care professional provides.
- A CDCM® professional provides families with security and comfort in knowing that their loved one is being cared for by skilled, caring, and competent professionals who have complete extensive comprehensive Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care training by the CDCM®.
- One of the most important benefits is maintaining the CDCM® certification, through continued education, every two years in order to maintain their CDCM® certification.
- CDCM® recertification ensures that the professional is staying informed in the latest developments related to Alzheimer's Disease and dementia diagnosis.
- Improved patient interventions and outcomes.
- CDCM® provides better communication with families regarding their loved one's condition.
- CDCM® professional promotes the need for certification for those entrusted to manage dementia units
- CDCM® professional promotes the need for CDP® certification as a means to ensure competent trained health care professionals in the area of Alzheimer's and Dementia care.
- Identify other areas of dementia education and skill development in Alzheimer's and dementia education that meet the changing and challenging needs of Alzheimer's and dementia patients in the health care industry.
Benefits to the health care organization in hiring CDCM® are:
- Trust and knowledge in the CDCM® health care professional work.
- CDCM® has training in Dementia unit policy and procedures.
- CDCM® has the training on best practices to be utilized in dementia units.
- CDCM® is a model for other health care professionals to follow.
- CDCM® has experience in managing dementia units.
- CDCM® has a minimum of 1-year experience managing staff and bring management skills to the community (facility).
- Patient safety and satisfaction.
- Providing quality care.
- Knowledge and interventions for difficult behaviors, ADL care interventions, and appropriate activities.
- Reduced staff turnover due to ongoing comprehensive Alzheimer's Disease and dementia care training provided by the CDCM®.
- CDCM® provides communication to the executive staff regarding daily dementia unit issues.
- Family confidence in facilities who have hired a trained and certified CDCM® health care professional.
- Identifies leadership potential in a CDCM®.
- Offer a competitive edge when hiring CDCM®.
- CDCM® individuals have the knowledge to provide supervision and management to health care professionals providing dementia care.
- CDCM® is an investment in the dementia unit supervisor.
- Improved patient interventions and outcomes.
- To promote CDCM® certifications as an institutional goal to validate best practices guidelines set forth by local, federal, and aging institutions and organizations.
- CDCM® provides audits and evaluations to ensure the competency of staff.
- CDCM® validates a health care professional is qualified to provide Alzheimer's Disease and dementia care and manage the staff on the Alzheimer's Disease and dementia unit.
The benefits for the patient, whose staff are managed by the Certified Dementia Care Manager®
- Sensitive care by trained health care professionals.
- Reduced risk for injury during ADL care by trained health care professionals.
- Provided appropriate activities for Alzheimer's Disease and dementia clients.
- Sensitive psychosocial support to the client and families.
- When necessary will receive end-of-life care from educated and trained staff.
- Family forums for education and support.
- Provided with a unit that is safe and maintained by safe and professional rounds.
"Don't just meet the minimum state regulations regarding dementia education...exceed them!"
“Someday there will be a cure for Alzheimer's Disease. Until that day, continue with your dementia education. They deserve your best!” Sandra Stimson NCCDP Executive Director
