Training for Family Carers and Supporters

Face to Face Courses

Insights into Dementia – Informing and Empowering Family Carers is delivered in various venues nationwide. Click here for details of current/forthcoming courses.

Insights into Dementia content:

  • Dementia and Looking After Yourself
  • Changing Relationships and Accessing Information
  • Communication and Staying Active
  • Responsive Behaviours and Safety at Home
  • Personal Care and Nutrition and Eating Well
  • Course Review and Next Steps

Courses last 6 weeks and take place for one evening per week. Courses are free, but a voluntary donation is welcome.

For more information, click here or email [email protected]

You must complete an application form before attending this course. Click here to complete the electronic application form. Or download the application form here, complete it and post it to The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, External Learning and Development Department, Temple Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin, A94 N8YO.

Fully Online Courses

Home-Based Care-Home Based Education is a fully online course on our Moodle Workplace Learning Management System.

Content includes:

  • Welcome and Induction
  • Dementia and Looking After Yourself
  • Changing Relationships and Accessing Information
  • Communication and Staying Active
  • Responsive Behaviours and Safety at Home
  • Personal Care and Nutrition and Eating Well
  • Course Review and Next Steps

Courses last 7 weeks with a weekly live webinar lasting one hour. Courses are free, but a voluntary donation is welcome. Courses start each year in January, March, June, September and November. Please note there is a waiting list for this course.

For more information, click here or email [email protected]

You must complete an application form before attending this course. Click here to complete the electronic application form.

Electronic applications will be acknowledged. Once we receive your application, you will go onto our waiting list, and we will contact you as soon as possible to offer you a place on our next course.

Or download the application form here, complete it and post it to The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, External Learning and Development Department, Temple Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin, A94 N8YO.

Participant Feedback:

“After participating in this course, I feel I have a much better understanding of dementia and how it affects the person differently. It was really good to hear other people’s stories and be able to relate to them. Going forward I feel I am better equipped to deal with my mam. I feel I will be able to understand more how she is feeling a d the different ways to help her through this. Thanks for all the help and advice”.

– Course Participant 2022.


Later Stage Dementia Care – Blended Learning for Families

This follow-on course from Insights/Home Based Care-Home Based Education focuses on providing care to a person with advanced dementia.

Content includes:

  • Later stage symptoms
  • Transitions in later stage dementia care
  • Emotional well-being for the person living with dementia
  • Coping and self-care
  • Person-centred communication approaches
  • Review, reflect and look ahead

For more information, click here or email [email protected]

You must complete an application form before attending this course. Click here to complete the electronic application form. Submitted applications will be acknowledged. Once we receive your application, you will go onto our waiting list, and we will contact you as soon as possible to offer you a place on our next course.

Participant Feedback:

“I am happy I did it, and I would highly recommend it to others; it’s a great support for carers at all stages of caring for a loved one with dementia. Thank you to the facilitators for their professionalism and their genuine interest and concern”

– Course Participant March 2023.


Online Support Groups

Meet other dementia family carers online in one of our two online support groups (OSGs). They occur every three weeks at 11 am on Tuesdays,  7 pm on Thursdays.

For more information, email [email protected]. If you would like to attend, please apply by completing the online application form here.

The online support groups aim to provide a safe, non-judgmental, positive and constructive space so that family carers and supporters of people living with dementia can get and give support to each other. This will include sharing relevant information, ideas, tips and individual experiences to help everyone feel less alone.

Online support groups will be facilitated by ASI staff members who have extensive dementia knowledge and experience.

Participant Feedback:

“Every journey is different, but I know I’ve been helped so much by the online support group. I have found the online sessions absolutely wonderful. I’ve learnt so much and got great support when I needed it most. Everyone who is caring for a loved one living with dementia would benefit from it”

Online Support Group Participant 2022.

Tutor Profiles

Julie Greene

Hello, my name is Julie Greene, I am a Tutor for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. I facilitate the Family Carer Training, Dementia Awareness talks and Dementia Training for Staff. I feel very privileged to be part this training team. 

My background in health has broadened my knowledge, understanding and skills in dementia care. Whether training is face-to-face or online I attempt to pass on as much knowledge and expertise in this area as I can while trying to support the participants as much as possible.

While family carer training can at times be emotional, I cannot emphasise how rewarding it is for a tutor. I have the privilege to meet people from all walks of life and get to hear their stories. 

Finally seeing how training can increase individuals’ confidence and coping strategies is very positive.  Training can really make all the difference on this journey with dementia, for all involved.

Angelica Kayode

My name is Angelica Kayode, and I am one of the Tutors with the External and Internal Learning and Development Department at ASI. My role as a tutor involves the delivery of courses such as Home-Based Care – Home Based Education, Insights into Dementia, Later Stage Dementia Care – Blended Learning for Families, and facilitating of Online Support Groups for family carers who are either directly or indirectly supporting persons living with dementia. I am also involved with delivering dementia awareness training to various businesses and organisations.

Over the years, my role as a tutor at the ASI has greatly impacted my personal growth and professional development in a positive way. This has, in turn, afforded me the opportunity to develop a multifaceted approach to my course delivery techniques bearing in mind that all learners have different needs and learn in different ways.

Thérèse Shannon

Hello, I am working with External Learning and Development as a tutor and facilitator since 2018. I am involved with delivering and developing educational /awareness programmes and as a facilitator with family support groups. My background is Nursing and Healthcare, with an MSc in Health Economics.

My role involves supporting families, friends, and the general public to understand dementia and how it impacts the person living with it, their families, and friends.

I am delighted to be part of a dynamic team as we strive to increase dementia awareness and understanding.

 

Awards

Learning Technology Awards 2017 

Members of our Learning and Development team, Julie Greene, Christine Carr, Fergus Timmons and Davina Smith with our Bronze Award which we picked up at the Learning Technologies Awards in London in November 2017.

Best Online Distance Learning Programme – Bronze

The award was made at the prestigious Learning Technologies Awards 2017 in London from a field of more than 400 entries worldwide.

Irish Institute of Training and Development (IITD) 2018 

Pictured at the 2018 IITD Awards in KIllashee House, Naas, April 20th, were The Alzheimer Society of Ireland winners of the award for Excellence in Digital Learning (l-r) Rosemary Collier; Fergus Timmons; Christine Carr and Davina Smith. Picture: Brendan Lyon/ImageBureau

Excellence in Digital Learning Programme – Overall Winner

 

Need help?
Call the National Helpline
Back To Top