Training for Professional Staff

Training that is engaged, innovative, and impactful.

From your 4-hour Dementia training to the Connect + Create Institute, from 1:1 Mentorship for emerging eldercare professionals to Life Enrichment Team development, how the world views dementia, starts with us, the trusted experts, the professionals supporting families and those living with a diagnosis.

Professional Training

My Approach

Rooted in Relationship

I provide dementia education from a place of relationship. It is not about replacing your standard of identity for your companies education, but expanding upon that training to make what you want to see – real. How can you use our medical and clinical knowledge to make sure we “do no harm” and then elevate the beauty of human connection to make sure we provide the best care possible?

for Life Enrichment Teams · for CNAs· For Administrators· For Emerging Professionals· For Nurses· For In-home Care Staff· For Pastoral Care Staff ·for Volunteers · for Sales Staff· For Housekeeping· For SPECIAL Therapists· For healthcare students

Connect and Create

Ways of education

Do you see yourself in drawn to one of these areas?

1

Connect + Create Institute – Long Term Accompaniment for the Leaders in Elder Care

2

Understanding Dementia – Four-Hour Dementia Training rooted in the Relationship

3

1:1 Mentorship – For Emerging Care Professionals

4

Life Enrichment Team Development – Engaging Staff, Creating Programming, and Magnifying Skills

A spiral staircase elegantly ascends between tall bookshelves in a dimly lit library room.

Here’s the thing…

Education is mandatory. Knowledge is transformative.

How many brain images can one look at before it becomes impersonal? How much longer can we sit behind a computer screen to gain education hours yet see little impact? Can we truly transform how we care for those living with dementia and their families with the current education model?

Yes, the neuroscience of dementia is important to know. Yes, the medical and clinical knowledge one gains through education is necessary. But how does the education you receive truly inform your care practices, helping you become better at your job? Not just better, but great, less likely to burn out, more engaged with those you serve, and able to see your day to day tasks, not as a to-do item, but as a moment to love another.

Lecture Hall

Elements of Quality Education

What you Can Expect FRom Me

Our ability to care for another relies on our understanding and curiosity of one’s life.

The Details

Looking at what each program provides, there are some things in common:

  • Room for slight tweaks to best match the needs of your staff and based on your state’s requirements.
  • Training developed by Kate that is rooted in research, neuroscience, but also relationship and experience.
  • The ability to purchase per-program or sign a monthly contract for ongoing work.
  • Pre and Post Tests offered upon request as well as limited CEUs starting late 2025. If you would like CEUs please contact Kate as soon as possible to start the conversation.
Connect and Create Forum

Connect + Create

Training for Senior Living Leaders and Staff in Creative Engagement and Dementia through an online course, 1:1 Mentorship, and site visits.

Understanding Dementia

A 4-hour interactive training in dementia that balances both research and reality to provide participants with the foundation they need to live a flourishing life with dementia.

Understanding Dementia

1:1 Mentorship

Working with graduating Seniors, Graduate School Students, and Emerging professionals find their purpose and place in elder care. Also, open to accompanying those looking at changing careers in health care.

Life Enrichment Team Development

Helping your Life Enrichment Staff be the best they can be by analyzing talents, recognizing needs, and finding ways to work within the realities of providing activities in a Long-Term Care setting while still magnifying purpose.

Creative Engagement

Wealthy in… Workshop Series

Wealth is more than the balance of your bank account. We can also be wealthy in community, joy, hope, and purpose.

Grow in Community

Grow in KNowledge

Grow in Confidence

Grow in Leadership

Your Educator and Mentor

Meet Kate

Creative work in Eldercare is what I believe I was uniquely created to do with my time and talent. I am part artist, part educator, and I find joy in accompanying others along this dementia journey. 

I continue to dedicate my life to accompanying those living with dementia. I believe dementia is not a death sentence, a reason to squash dignity, purpose, and joy, nor an eraser that eliminates the beauty of your life. But it is also not a reason to fear suffering, and “shush” conversations about the real trials of dementia. Whether you have the diagnosis yourself or are a care partner, I seek to walk with you through the trials and triumphs of this life.

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Make a Difference

Steps to Take Now

Always Say Hello

Regardless of how busy your day is, and how chaotic life is both inside and outside of work, say hello to each person you serve before you serve. We all feel that warmth that comes from a hello from both a friend and a stranger, so why must the hello end because of dementia? Say hello. Greet one another. And remember, it is not important for someone to remember your name, title, or reason for your encounter, what matters is that you made them feel loved, respected, and seen.

Discover why you offer a Program

Why does your activities calendar look the way it does? Is it because it is mandated by the state or your corporate office? Is it because your residents have requested the program or love the program? Is it
because it is known or has research behind its success? Find out the why, and don’t be afraid to transform the program or replace it if the why is anytime less than it is enjoyed and brings purpose and connection.

Use the Talents you Have

With your current Life Enrichment Team, and with every person you hire, take a talents survey. See what your team enjoys, is skilled or talented in, and wants to pursue. Do the same with your CNAs. Then, with the information you collect, activate the beautiful talent already within your care community through official programs, information connections, and as a bridge to the community during new resident or client welcoming.

Be Intentional with Technology

Tech is one of those wonderful tools that
always requires us to ask, just because we
can, does it mean we should? We should
never use Tech as a crutch, a replacement
for human contact or care, or as something to hide behind. Use it sparingly and wisely.

Don’t Silo Your Teams

Don’t silo the teams and departments within your organization. Allow for
engagement to encompass the entire staff volunteers and even the families of
the residents.

Look for Skills Over Masters

When you hire an Actives Director look not at the highest degree or number of
certifications, instead, look at both the formal and informal education they have received (this includes being a family care partner) and ask beautiful
questions about what each person can offer the community and their dreams for their place in the role.

Everything is Communication

Just as we say that all behavior is a form of communication when working with someone with dementia, so is true for your staff and co-workers.

Go Outside

Find time during each shift to go outside – even if it is raining or snowing.
Even if it is for 5 breaths, it can do wonders to help you navigate the
challenges of providing care.

Just as a craftsman or artist continues to hone their craft, so too must care partners and others working as aging and dementia professionals.