Certified First Responder Dementia Trainer® CFRDT®

Become a Certified Trainer to present the Dementia Care Seminar specifically for First Responders. This class is recommended for Trainers who currently work in a First Responder field and provide instruction to First Responders, Law Enforcement, EMT, Fire Fighters, Emergency Preparedness, Search and Rescue, etc.

How Do I Obtain Certification?

Initial Application for Members with other NCCDP Certification(s)

Initial Application for Members without an NCCDP Certification

More About CFRDT®

Become a Certified Trainer to present the Dementia Care Seminar specifically for First Responders. This class is recommended for Trainers who currently work in a First Responder field and provide instruction to First Responders, Law Enforcement, EMT, Fire Fighters, Emergency Preparedness, Search and Rescue, Etc.

This 8-hour Trainer certification program includes all the necessary tools to
conduct the 5-hour comprehensive course, “Certified First Responder-Dementia Trained.” The Trainer certification seminar not only covers key aspects of dementia but also elopement, driving concerns, abuse, and neglect. If needed, the NCCDP can provide county-wide, statewide, and/or municipality First Responder training. Contact the NCCDP about rates for training in your state and/or municipality.

CFRDT (Certified First Responder Dementia Trainer): 

To qualify for this class, the applicant:

  • Must be directly employed with a First Responder Agency
  • Have a 4-year college degree
  • 3 years experience in a First Responder Field 
  • Experience presenting in-services, training, or private seminars.

This seminar includes the presentation in PowerPoint format on a flash drive, student handout notebook, instructor manual, supplemental textbooks, and certification upon completion of the full 8 hour day training.The Trainer Certification is for two years as a Certified First Responder Dementia Trainer (CFRDT) for which the trainer is approved to teach the comprehensive 5 hour dementia curriculum to other First Responders.    

The CFRDT application is to be completed online here.

Please contact the NCCDP for rates by using the CONTACT US FORM or 973-729-6601. This application is for Law Enforcement, EMT’s or Fire Department who work directly for their agency and are responsible for training. 

If you are already an approved NCCDP Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer (CADDCT), and wish to pursue this certification, please go to the instructor only section

The following modules that are covered in this seminar are:

Overview of Dementia
Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
Reversible / Non Reversible Dementias
Normal Aging
Medications Used for Treating Dementia
Tests used for diagnosis: FAST Functional Assessment Test, GDS Global Deterioration Scale, GDS Geriatric Depression Scale, Mini-Mental Test, Folstein Test
Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

 Feelings
Responding to Feelings
Validation Therapy

 Multicultural Considerations in Care Giving
Be aware of other cultures, races, and religions
Train the staff on Sensitivity Awareness to other cultures

“Every person is, in many respects, like all other people, like some people, like no other person.” Clyde Cluckhon Murray

 Intimacy & Sexual Expressions
Misconceptions about the elderly and intimacy
Changes In Attitudes-Teaching your staff about sexual expression
Positive perceptions about sexual expression
Inappropriate behaviors and what to do
Intimacy and connecting to each other
When Dementia is involved-Disrobing, Masturbation, Sexual Comments
Inability to express no to unwanted advances

 Hoarding
What is Hoarding
Why they hoard
Make it purposeful, Ex., rummage drawers
Where they may hide things
What can you do?

 Wandering
Types of Wandering, Example exit seekers
Identify Triggers to Wandering
Meeting Basic Needs & Emotions
How to keep them safe
Adapting the environment
How to redirect & manage wandering
Policy and Procedures for elopement
Wandering Tools-Safe Return, Wander Guards, Alarms, etc

 Communication
Verbal and Non Verbal Communication
Strategies for successful communication
Common mistakes we make

 Repetitive Behaviors
Common Behaviors
Interventions for Repetitive Behaviors
Medications

 Aggressive Behaviors
Causes of Aggressive Behaviors
Environmental Conditions, Physical & Medical Conditions
Anti Psychotic Medications & Side Effects
Interventions
Ways to avoid aggressive behaviors
Responding to Aggressive Behaviors
Catastrophic Reactions

 Paranoia & Hallucinations
What is Paranoia and What is Hallucinations
Types of Behaviors & Causes
Strategies for Management of Hallucinations and Paranoia
Anti-Psychotic Medications & Side Effects
Sundowning: What is it?

Recognizing Pain in the Person with Dementia
Behavioral Changes such as facial grimaces
How is the Discomfort Expressed?
How to get them to answer questions with Yes or No Responses
Assessing the Pain

 Depression & Alzheimer’s Disease
Treatment
Medications and Side Effects
Signs & Symptoms of Depression
Interventions and Activities

Recognizing Abuse and Neglect in The Home

Driving Concerns in the Elderly

Renewal Process

Renew Certification

Login to your account and if eligible to renew, a renewal button will be visible on your account page. The renewal button will show up 60 days prior to the expiration date.

CFRDT® Frequently Asked Questions

Those who work in the First Responder field (Law Enforcement, EMTs, Firefighters, Emergency Services, etc.) and have a college degree, at least 3 years of experience in the field, and have experience training others.

  • Copy of your seminar certificate
  • Copy of your diploma or nursing license, if applicable.
  • Initial application and seminar fee of $1,500.00 USD
  • Renewal fee of $150.00 USD paid every two years upon renewal of certification.

You will need to login to renew your CFRDT every two years. You must teach at least one CFR-DT seminar in that renewal period. The cost for renewal is $150.00 USD and your updated certification will be emailed to you after you complete the renewal application and pay the fee.