Welcome to BESS Dementia Education & Training

BESS Online Academy offers engaging, practical dementia education for healthcare professionals, direct-care staff, family caregivers and community organizations.

Led by Dr. Mary Giles-Goodwin, PhD, RN,  our seminars combine clinical knowledge, real-world caregiving experience and compassionate, person-centered strategies that participants can immediately apply.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Seminar

This comprehensive seminar provides participants with essential knowledge and practical strategies for supporting individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Topics may include:

✓ Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
✓ Communication techniques
✓ Person-centered care
✓ Understanding challenging behaviors
✓ Activities and meaningful engagement
✓ Nutrition, hydration and pain
✓ Safety and wandering
✓ Personal care
✓ Family support
✓ End-of-life care
✓ Staff and caregiver stress
✓ Diversity and cultural considerations


Seminar availability, eligibility requirements and credentialing information will be provided during registration.

Who Should Attend?

  • Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses

  • Certified nursing assistants

  • Personal care aides

  • Medication aides

  • Assisted living and memory-care staff

  • Home-care professionals

  • Case managers and social workers

  • Activity professionals and Community health professionals

  • Healthcare administrators

  • Family, informal caregivers, and Faith-based caregivers

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  • On-Site Facility Training

    Customized dementia education delivered at assisted living communities, personal care homes, memory-care communities, nursing facilities and healthcare organizations.

  • Community Education

    Engaging 30–45-minute presentations and caregiver education programs for senior centers, churches, libraries and community organizations.

  • Lunch-and-Learn Programs

    Focused educational sessions designed for staff development, caregiver support and community outreach.

  • Full-Day Seminars

    Comprehensive dementia education for professionals who need a deeper understanding of dementia care, communication and person-centered practices.

Meet Your Instructor

Dr. Mary Giles-Goodwin, PhD, RN, CCM, IQCI, CDP®

Dr. Mary Giles-Goodwin is a registered nurse, healthcare educator, case management professional and founder of BESS Online Academy. She brings extensive experience in healthcare education, care coordination, dementia care and family caregiving.

Her teaching approach combines clinical knowledge with compassion, storytelling and practical strategies that healthcare professionals and caregivers can use in real-life situations.

What Participants Can Expect

  • Practical, easy-to-understand instruction

  • Evidence-informed dementia care strategies

  • Real-world examples and case scenarios

  • Interactive discussion

  • Person-centered communication tools

  • Professional participant materials

  • Opportunities to ask questions

  • Certificate of completion when applicable

  • Customized content for the organization’s needs

Bring Dementia Education to Your Organization

Request a customized seminar, staff in-service, lunch-and-learn or community presentation for your team.

Request a Dementia Training

FAQ

  • How long are the training sessions?

    Training options include 30–45-minute community presentations, lunch-and-learns, customized staff in-services and full-day seminars.

  • Can the seminar be held at our facility?

    Yes. On-site training may be available for healthcare facilities, churches, senior centers and community organizations.

  • Are virtual presentations available?

    Virtual training may be available depending on the program and the needs of the organization.

  • Will participants receive a certificate?

    Certificates of completion may be provided for eligible programs. Certificate and continuing-education details will be clearly stated before registration.

  • Do you provide continuing-education credit?

    Continuing-education availability varies by seminar. Any approved continuing-education information will be displayed on the individual seminar registration page.

  • Can the presentation be customized?

    Yes. Topics and examples may be tailored to the organization, audience and available presentation time.