Caring for residents with dementia requires more than clinical skill. It takes patience, empathy, and the ability to adapt to ever-changing needs. At Kensington Place Redwood City, investing in specialized training is the key to providing compassionate, effective, and dignified care.
Our two memory care neighborhoods, Connections for early to middle stages of dementia, and Haven for more advanced stages, reflect this philosophy. Each is designed with the resident’s needs in mind, and each is supported by care partners who receive continual education, mentorship, and encouragement.
For those exploring dementia care training Redwood City or interested in memory care certifications, here’s how we ensure our team is prepared to thrive.
Training That Goes Beyond the Basics
General caregiving skills are essential, but dementia care demands something deeper. We provide team members with access to nationally recognized programs, hands-on coaching, and continuing education that reinforce best practices. From understanding the science of brain change to refining communication strategies, our training goes far beyond orientation, it is a commitment to lifelong learning.
Positive Approach to Care® (PAC)
One of the foundations of our training is the Positive Approach to Care, developed by dementia expert Teepa Snow. PAC training emphasizes techniques that help care partners connect with residents through empathy, respect, and creativity. Instead of focusing on limitations, it teaches staff to see remaining abilities and adapt care accordingly.
This approach not only improves the resident experience but also reduces stress for caregivers. Team members learn to approach interactions with curiosity and patience, transforming challenging behaviors into opportunities for connection.
The BCAT® Approach
Another key program is the Brief Cognitive Assessment Tool (BCAT®), a system that helps identify and track cognitive changes over time. Through BCAT training, our team gains insight into each resident’s memory, attention, and executive functioning. This allows us to tailor care plans more precisely while celebrating small victories and recognizing when additional support is needed.
By combining PAC with BCAT, caregivers develop a well-rounded perspective, emphasizing both the emotional and clinical aspects of dementia care.
Emotional Intelligence in Action
At the heart of specialized dementia training is emotional intelligence. We emphasize the importance of self-awareness, empathy, and resilience in caregiving. Emotional intelligence training equips our team to remain calm during moments of resident frustration, offer comfort during confusion, and celebrate joy when it emerges unexpectedly.
When caregivers feel confident in their ability to manage both their own emotions and those of residents, they create an atmosphere of trust and compassion. This benefits not only residents but also families, who feel reassured that their loved one is receiving care from people who truly understand their journey.
Mentorship That Builds Confidence
Training is most effective when it is paired with mentorship. At Kensington Place Redwood City, experienced care partners guide new team members through the nuances of dementia care. This shadowing and coaching process builds confidence, encourages collaboration, and creates a culture of mutual support.
Mentorship also helps reduce turnover. When caregivers feel supported and valued, they are more likely to see Kensington Place Redwood City as a place to build long-term careers.
Certifications That Strengthen Careers
For those pursuing memory care certifications, our training programs open doors to professional development. Many team members advance into leadership roles, clinical specialties, or enrichment programming because of the foundation they receive here.
We encourage ongoing learning, offering access to workshops, seminars, and certifications that strengthen both skills and resumes. In turn, residents benefit from being surrounded by highly trained professionals who bring expertise to every interaction.
Specialized Environments for Learning and Living
Connections and Haven are not just living spaces, they are living classrooms where caregivers practice what they learn. In Connections, training emphasizes supporting independence, engagement, and early intervention strategies. In Haven, the focus shifts to advanced comfort care, sensory programming, and tailored communication techniques.
Both neighborhoods give caregivers a chance to apply PAC and BCAT skills in real time, strengthening their confidence while enriching residents’ daily experiences.
Team Culture of Growth
Training at Kensington Place Redwood City is not a one-time event, it is an ongoing culture. Care partners, nurses, and life enrichment professionals share knowledge during daily huddles, collaborative care planning, and family meetings. This culture of learning ensures that no one faces challenges alone.
We also embrace innovation. Programs highlighted in our specialized care for Parkinson’s and dementia resources demonstrate how we integrate new knowledge into existing care frameworks.
Family Education & Collaboration
Specialized training at Kensington Place Redwood City does not stop with care partners, it also extends to families.
Through support groups, workshops, and one-on-one conversations, families learn the same communication strategies, redirection techniques, and dementia insights that our team members practice every day. This shared knowledge helps create consistency between home visits and community life, giving residents a greater sense of stability.
It also strengthens the partnership between families and caregivers, ensuring that everyone is working together with compassion, confidence, and understanding.
Our Promise: Love Lives Here
Everything we do is guided by Our Promise: to love and care for your family as we do our own. That promise extends to how we train, mentor, and celebrate our caregivers. When care partners feel empowered, residents feel understood, and families feel supported.
A Place to Grow Professionally and Personally
For those considering careers in dementia care, Kensington Place Redwood City offers more than a workplace, it offers a place to grow. Through specialized training, mentorship, and certifications, caregivers gain the tools they need not only to succeed but to thrive in a profession rooted in compassion and excellence.
If you are seeking dementia care training Redwood City or want to pursue memory care certifications in a supportive, enriching environment, Kensington Place Redwood City is ready to welcome you.
Contact Kensington Place Redwood City today to learn more about career opportunities and the training programs that set our community apart.