Author: Kim Warchol, President and Founder of DCS at CPI
Delivering exceptional dementia care requires more than good intentions—it demands practical skills, person-centered strategies, and a unified team approach. That’s where the Dementia Capable Care Model and quality dementia training come in.
These two components work hand-in-hand to improve outcomes for individuals living with dementia while supporting the professionals who care for them. At Dementia Care Specialists, we’ve seen firsthand how this combination transforms care environments into places where people feel understood, supported, and empowered.
What Is the Dementia Capable Care Model?
The Dementia Capable Care (DCC) Model is a practical framework designed to help care teams optimize function, quality of life, and safety for individuals with dementia. It guides care providers to:
- Learn about the whole person - their routines, preferences, values, and past experiences to provide person-centered care.
- Assess the individual’s current stage of dementia to understand their abilities and challenges.
- Adapt activities, communication styles, and environments to meet each person’s individual needs.
At the heart of the model is the idea that everyone has potential, and that potential can be nurtured by adapting care to the person’s current level of functioning. When we empower someone to participate in daily life at their best of their ability, we see powerful results:
This model not only helps those living with dementia, it also boosts caregiver satisfaction by reducing stress and creating more meaningful connections.
Why Quality Dementia Training Matters
A great model is only as effective as the team implementing it. That’s why investing in high-quality dementia training is critical.
Quality dementia training delivers real-world impact. It equips care teams with the skills to:
- Prevent and manage behavioral symptoms through empathy and de-escalation strategies, resulting in less reliance on medications and reducing injuries and staff turnover.
- Communicate effectively at every stage of dementia to avoid misunderstandings and reduce care time.
- Modify tasks and environments to support safety and maximize independence, resulting in fewer falls and better engagement.
- Build trust and rapport by using what matters most to the person in care—ensuring a smoother, more respectful care experience.
The right dementia training also prepares staff to work more confidently and collaboratively. When teams speak a shared language and follow a consistent care philosophy, care becomes more efficient and effective.
Real Value, Real Results
At Dementia Care Specialists, we’ve built our dementia training programs on evidence-based practices, such as the Allen Cognitive Disabilities Model, and years of clinical experience. Our Dementia Capable Care training empowers teams to not only understand dementia better, but also to make measurable improvements in safety, outcomes, and satisfaction.
We believe dementia training shouldn’t be one-and-done. That’s why we offer a range of ongoing learning resources—including our new Dementia Capable Care Learning Library to help teams keep skills fresh and continue growing together.
When organizations invest in quality dementia care training, they’re investing in better care, better outcomes, and better lives for everyone involved.
Ready to create a confident, compassionate, and dementia capable workforce?
Explore our Dementia Capable Care training programs and discover how quality education paired with a proven model can transform your care team—and the lives of those you serve.
Published in 2025.
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High-Impact Dementia Care Training - Why Leveraging the Allen Model Matters
Why Did We Create the New Dementia Capable Care Learning Library?