According to the World Health Organization, 10 million new patients are diagnosed with dementia each year.
With all of those new patients, they’ll need a certified dementia practitioner to take care of them.
If you’re interested in helping, there are a few things to know before you can work in memory care. You’ll need to get CDP certified. Keep reading to discover all you need to know before you start on this career path.
What Is a Dementia Practioner?
A dementia practitioner is someone who works in a medical or senior-related field. To be practicing, they have gone through several training and certification courses to have a better understanding of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Dementia is a cognitive syndrome that will affect the memory and brain, making these patients require extra care from these practioners. It normally affects people who are over 65, and there are many different forms.
Most medical professionals will come into contact with a few dementia patients throughout their lifetime, but this staff deals only with these people. Practitioners will likely work in senior living communities, rehabilitation, and first responders.
They will take care of dementia patients, monitor their health, and provide special care catered to their disease.
Requirements
To work in this field, they’ll likely get a high school diploma or GED. They could get a college degree, but some employers don’t require a college degree.
Practitioners will also need licenses and certifications in their health care field. They must complete a seminar approved by the NCCDP for Alzheimer’s Dementia and Disease.
When you get your certification, it’s good for two years. After that, you’ll need to apply to get re-certified; you’ll also need years of experience working in the healthcare field.
How to Get Certified
Dementia practitioners need to meet the criteria first and then find a program to enroll in.
They’ll learn about current trends, ethics, medications, and new developments that pertain to dementia patients.
Practitioners will also learn the best ways to care for their dementia patients.
Benefits of Having Certification
First off, you’ll be adhering to universal standards to make sure that you provide the best care for your patient.
It will also give you a good understanding of dementia and Alzheimer’s and how to take care of these people.
You’ll expand your knowledge and education, which can be a great thing to put on your resume. If you’re interested in becoming a dementia practitioner, having this certification will make you very desirable to employers.
Learn More About What a Certified Dementia Practitioner Does
These are only a few things to know about what a certified dementia practitioner does and how to become one, but each employer has different requirements, so do research on which employers you’re thinking about working for.
We know that working in healthcare isn’t always easy, but we’re here to help you out with more information to guide you in your career.
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