Certified First Responder Dementia Trainer® CFRDT®

The Certified First Responder Dementia Trainer®​​​​​​​ is the earned credential that recognizes the highest standard in Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care education for those health care professionals and First Responders who are directly responsible for in-service and training. The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners® exists to establish credentialing mechanisms for validating proficiency in Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care education. The CERTIFIED FIRST RESPONDER DEMENTIA TRAINER® organization ensures the highest standards in Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care education through the training and certification process.  The CFRDT® certification demonstrates the achievement of specialized training in the areas of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care.  The CERTIFIED FIRST RESPONDER DEMENTIA TRAINER® is committed to educational programs and training that informs the CFRDT about new changes that influence the certification process.

The benefits of CFRDT certification are numerous to the health care professional trainers and First Responder trainers. The CFRD Thave 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 comprehensive dementia training to health care professionals, First Responders, Law Enforcement, EMT’s and Fire Fighters. CFRDT is essential for today’s First Responder and Health Care Professional who provide training. The dementia population continues to rise and health care professionals and First Responders need comprehensive training to deal with issues that arise as First Responders. The CFRDT certification recognizes the need for standards in the area of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia education for First Responders and health care professionals to provide quality services by trained health care and First Responder professionals.

CFRDT works to enhance the use of new methods, theories, and tools related to Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care practices.

CFRDT certification provides recognition, competency, and a commitment in the area of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care education. 

CFRDT certification can assist with job advancement. CFRDT certification promotes the need for education from which all health care professionals and First Responders can benefit. 

A Certified First Responder Dementia Trainer completes extensive training in the area of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care.  In addition, the training includes comprehensive “Train the Trainer” 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, recognizing abuse and neglect in the home, and driving concerns.

First Responders and health care trainers need the CFRDT certification for many reasons.

• To create universal standards for dementia trainers.
• 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.
• 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 NCCDP CERTIFIED FIRST RESPONDER DEMENTIA TRAINER® Code of Ethics.
• Attests that their dementia training is at a high level of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia expertise.
• Adds credibility to your profession.
• Enhances the CFRDT trainer’s overall image within the community and among peers.
• Improvement in skills and knowledge.
• Provide a higher quality of work.  
• Greater understanding of the role the trained and certified CFRDT provides in the health care and First Responder community.
• Demonstration of commitment to one’s chosen profession in obtaining a higher level of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia education and certification as a Certified First Responder Dementia Trainer. 
• Preparation for higher job responsibilities and employability.
• Clarifies and articulates personal values and CFRDT® 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 First Responder Dementia Trainer is of benefit to the health care and First Responder community as these are trainers who have taken the added steps in learning and understanding the dementia patient/client and complications that arise with this diagnosis.  It is a benefit to the community to hire trainers who have this certification. The CFRDT certification assists the employer in evaluating potential new hires, evaluate job performance, and motivate other employees who seek CFRDT (Certified First Responder Dementia Trainer ).

• CFRDT certification advances skills and knowledge in the Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia field.
• CFRDT certification shows evidence of a First Responder trainer or health care professional trainer commitment not only working with the geriatric population but specific subpopulation, the Alzheimer’s dementia client.
• CFRDT certification is a model for other First Responders & health care professionals to follow.
• CFRDT certification provides more leaders for the health care and First Responder field.
• CFRDT certification promotes best practices in the field of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care.
• CFRDT educates the health care professional staff and First Responder staff who work with the dementia and provides current information to the health care staff or First Responder staff regarding Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia issues.
•  CFRDT promotes education and in turn, promotes professionalism.
• Certification develops a sense of pride.  
• Having a CFRDT shows personal commitment as evidenced by their education and training above and beyond what their peers have.
• A CFRDT brings dementia skills and knowledge to their agency.
• A CFRDT enhances and validates the ongoing dementia care that the health care professional and First Responders provide.
• One of the most important benefits is maintaining the CFRDT certification, through continued education, every two years in order to maintain their CFRDT certification.
• CFRDT re-certification ensures that the professional is staying informed in the latest developments related to Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia diagnosis.
• CFRDT provides better communication with families regarding their loved one's condition.
• CFRDT professional promotes the need for CERTIFIED FIRST RESPONDER DEMENTIA TRAINER certification as a means to ensure competent trained health care professionals and First Responder professionalism in the area of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia.
• CFRDT Identify other areas of dementia education and skill development in Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia education that meet the changing and challenging needs of the Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia patient in the health care industry.

Trust and knowledge in the CFRDT work.