Caring for someone with dementia can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re trying to understand a diagnosis, manage changing behaviors, and plan for what comes next. This free 90-minute overview course is designed to give caregivers a clear, practical foundation and a sense of confidence moving forward.
In this fast-paced, interactive session, participants will explore how dementia affects the brain, why behaviors change, and what person-centered caregiving really means in everyday life. We’ll also touch on communication strategies, future planning considerations, and caregiver well-being — offering real-world tools you can use immediately.
This session highlights key concepts from Spectrum Life Care Services’ comprehensive five-week caregiver education program and is ideal for families who are newly navigating dementia or want a high-level roadmap before diving deeper.
Participants will gain a big-picture understanding of dementia and the caregiving journey, including how different types of dementia affect the brain, how to communicate with empathy, and how to interpret behaviors as signals of unmet needs. The course introduces person-centered care approaches, early planning considerations, and strategies for sustaining yourself as a caregiver — while pointing participants toward next steps and additional learning opportunities.
Date: March 4th, 2026
Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Location: George Mason Regional Library
Information about the site:
7001 Little River Turnpike
Annandale, VA, 22003
Date: March 18th, 2026
Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Location: Sherwood Regional Library
Information about the site:
2501 Sherwood Hall Ln
Alexandria, VA, 22306
**BRANCH ELEVATOR NOT WORKING**
Date: March 26th, 2026
Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
Location: Chantilly Regional Library
Information about the site:
4000 Stringfellow Rd
Chantilly, VA, 20151
To learn more about this course and the content that will be covered, please feel free to download the Course Description here.
While Spectrum Life Care Services does offer paid training opportunities, this course is specifically designed for family caregivers living in the home with the individual living with the diagnosis and is FREE of charge.
Help us continue to provide support and services to those in need by making a donation. Every contribution makes a difference.
Caring for someone with dementia is a journey that evolves over time — medically, emotionally, legally, and personally. This in-depth five-week course is designed to walk alongside caregivers through every stage of that journey, offering evidence-based education, practical tools, and a supportive community.
Across five thoughtfully structured classes, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how dementia affects the brain, how to adapt care using person-centered approaches, how to communicate through challenging moments, and how to prepare for complex legal, financial, and medical decisions. The series concludes by focusing on what is often overlooked: sustaining the caregiver and building a realistic, long-term plan.
Blending clinical insight with compassion, this program equips caregivers not just to manage day-to-day challenges — but to approach care with greater confidence, clarity, and resilience.
Over five weeks, participants will develop a strong foundation in dementia care, including how different types of dementia impact thinking and behavior, what to expect as the disease progresses, and how medications and brain-health strategies fit into the care plan.
The course emphasizes person-centered caregiving — learning how life stories, interests, and strengths can shape daily routines and meaningful engagement. Caregivers will practice communication strategies that reduce frustration, reinterpret behaviors as expressions of unmet needs, and apply techniques for calming stressful situations.
Participants will also gain critical guidance around legal, financial, and medical planning, including advance directives, decision-making authority, and conversations with family members.
Finally, the series helps caregivers focus on their own well-being by building support networks, locating community resources, and creating a personalized six-to-twelve-month caregiving action plan.
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Information about the site:
To learn more about this course and the content that will be covered, please feel free to download the Course Description here.
The cost for this training is $250 per individual. Additionally, Respite Care will be offered allowing the caregiver to attend the course while their loved one is engaged in meaningful and purposeful programs facilitated by a Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist. Respite Care is an additional $15 per session and is capped at 12 people.
Help us continue to provide support and services to those in need by making a donation. Every contribution makes a difference.
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