Courses for Health Care Providers

U-First!® is an innovative and unique training program that helps frontline staff to develop a common knowledge base, language, values and approach to caring for people living with dementia and other cognitive impairment.

About the Workshop:

• Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm EST
• 6-hour workshop
• Interactive learning format through dialogue and case studies. Your active participation throughout the full workshop is required in order to receive your certificate
• 25 spots available
• $80 registration fee
• Deadline to Register: Monday, January 12, 2026 at 11:59pm EST

Technical Needs: Computer access with working microphone, speakers and web  camera are required for the online workshop session.

*To maximize learning, all participants are expected to attend the workshop from their individual computers.

Workshop Materials: After the registration deadline, you will be mailed physical U-First!® workshop materials to the shipping address provided in the Shipping Address Information survey in the course. Please complete this right away to ensure your materials arrive on time. These materials are required to in the full day workshop.

U-First!® Advanced is an innovative and unique training program that helps frontline staff to deepen their understanding of the U-First!^® framework as we further understand behavior changes caused by dementia or other cognitive impairments. The program builds on the learning from the original U-First!^® program and supports you to apply the U-First!^® framework.

Pre-requisites: Must have completed U-First!^® for Health Care Providers at least 6 months prior to the start of the course.

About the Workshop:

• Monday, February 2, 2026 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (EST)
• 6-hour workshop
• Interactive learning format through dialogue and case studies
• 20 spots available
• $80 Registration Fee
• Deadline to Register: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 11:59 pm (EST)

Technical Needs: Computer access with working microphone, speakers and web  camera are required for the online workshop session.

Workshop Materials: After the registration deadline, you will be mailed physical U-First!® workshop materials to the shipping address provided during registration. Please note that these materials are required in order to participate in the workshop. We are unable to ship internationally.

Facilitators: Rebekah Lindsay & Susan Oster

*Note: U-First workshops have a requirement of minimum 10 people. Cancellations are permitted 2 business days prior to scheduled workshops for a full refund. Any cancellations within 2 business days will not be refunded.

U-First!^®️ Advanced eLearning course supports health care providers who are directly supporting people experiencing behaviour changes caused by dementia or other cognitive impairment. The program builds on the learning from the original U-First!^®️ program and supports you to apply the U-First!^®️ framework. It will advance your understanding and practices for providing care and you'll learn ways to reduce work-related stress.

Target audience
Health care providers who have previously taken part of a U-First!^®️ for Health Care Providers (workshop or eLearning course) 6 months or more before this course start date.

Prerequisite
U-First!^®️ for Health Care Providers (at least 6 months ago)

Cost: $80

Language: English

This three-week program begins March 23, 2026.  The mandatory 75-minute virtual workshop is on Thursday, April 9th with the option to attend at 12:00p.m. or 8:00p.m. (Eastern).  

U-First!® is an innovative and unique training program that helps frontline staff to develop a common knowledge base, language, values and approach to caring for people living with dementia and other cognitive impairment.

About the Workshop:

• Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm EST
• 6-hour workshop
• Interactive learning format through dialogue and case studies. Your active participation throughout the full workshop is required in order to receive your certificate
• 25 spots available
• $80 registration fee
• Deadline to Register: Wednesday, November 26 at 11:59pm EST

Technical Needs: Computer access with working microphone, speakers and web  camera are required for the online workshop session.

*To maximize learning, all participants are expected to attend the workshop from their individual computers.

Workshop Materials: After the registration deadline, you will be mailed physical U-First!® workshop materials to the shipping address provided in the Shipping Address Information survey in the course. Please complete this right away to ensure your materials arrive on time. These materials are required to in the full day workshop.

U-First!® is an innovative and unique training program that helps frontline staff to develop a common knowledge base, language, values and approach to caring for people living with dementia and other cognitive impairment.

About the Workshop:

• Thursday, November 13th, 2025 at 9:00 am - 4:00 pm EST
• 6-hour workshop
• Interactive learning format through dialogue and case studies. Your active participation throughout the full workshop is required in order to receive your certificate
• 25 spots available
• $80 registration fee
• Deadline to Register: Friday, October 31st at 11:59pm EDT

Technical Needs: Computer access with working microphone, speakers and web  camera are required for the online workshop session.

*To maximize learning, all participants are expected to attend the workshop from their individual computers.

Workshop Materials: After the registration deadline, you will be mailed physical U-First!® workshop materials to the shipping address provided in the Shipping Address Information survey in the course. Please complete this right away to ensure your materials arrive on time. These materials are required to in the full day workshop.

In this on-demand course, real-life travel experiences from persons living with dementia and care partners will be shared, along with practical advice to help in the planning of travelling with dementia. Travelling has a different meaning for everyone and may include everything from getting to a day program, going on a road trip, or travelling outside of the country. No matter the distance, if travelling is going to be beyond the doorstep and includes dementia, deliberate planning will help to lessen any risks and increase the enjoyment for everyone.

Intended Audience: Everyone

Language: English

This is Module 1 of the Supporting the Sexual Health of People with Dementia  program.
By the end of this module, you will be able:  

▪️To recognize the significance of sexuality and intimacy to the lives of people with dementia, 

▪️To distinguish myths and stereotypes from realities of sexuality and dementia, and 

▪️To apply fundamental communication approaches. 

This is Module 2 of the Supporting the Sexual Health of People with Dementia program.  You will need to complete Module 1 "Dementia and Sexuality: An Introduction" first. 

In this module, we’ll focus on effective communication with long-term care (LTC) residents about their sexual needs. By the end of this module, you will be able…  

▪️To develop the confidence to discuss sexual history and the sexual health needs of individuals living with dementia in LTC,  

▪️To recognize the role that LTC team members play in supporting residents' sexual health, and 

▪️To apply best practice principles to support residents' sexual health.

This is Module 3 of the Supporting the Sexual Health of People with Dementia program.You will need to complete Module 2 "Communicating with Long-Term Care Residents about Sexual Health" first. 
In this module, we’ll focus on understanding and responding to the responsive sexual behaviours of residents living in long term care homes. By the end, you’ll able:  

▪️To describe the responsive sexual behaviours of people living with dementia in LTC using respectful, non-judgmental language to assess potential risks, 

▪️To identify helpful tools and resources for observing and assessing these behaviours;  

▪️To distinguish between behaviours that can be easily addressed from those needing more support based on a risk level framework; and 

▪️To use best practices to respond to these behaviours effectively. 

This on-demand learning module was created from a presentation given by Dr. Andrew Frank on December 13, 2023 in which he discusses:

Presenter: Dr. Andrew Frank, Cognitive and Behavioural Neurologist
Bruyère Memory Program

Intended Audience: Everyone

This on-demand learning module is the third in a series based on the Landmark Study report titled The Many Faces of Dementia which was released in January 2024. The report focuses on people living with dementia and care partners who are part of underrepresented and underserved populations.

This module provides an overview of the experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ people living with dementia and their care partners, with a focus on inclusion and the diverse needs of this community.

Presenters:

Dr. Celeste Pang, Mount Royal University

Ngozi Iroanyah, Director of Health Equity and Access, Alzheimer Society of Ontario

Intended Audience: Everyone

This on-demand learning module was created from an Alzheimer Society of Ontario Speaker Series presentation given to the public on June 4, 2024.

Providing excellent care and support to people living with
dementia starts with a good understanding of dementia.  Support strategies build on this
understanding to enhance communication and provide care that is respectful of
the person.

This on-demand learning module focuses on the second Landmark Study report which was released on January 22, 2024. Titled The Many Faces of Dementia in Canada, the report focuses on people living with dementia and care partners who are part of underrepresented and underserved populations.

Presenters:

Dr. Joshua Armstrong
Research Scientist, Alzheimer Society of Canada

Ngozi Iroanyah
Director of Health Equity and Access, Alzheimer Society of Ontario

Intended Audience: Everyone

This on-demand learning module was created from an Alzheimer Society of Ontario Speaker Series presentation given to the public on February 22, 2024

Research is showing us that we do have control over some of the risk factors for developing dementia. We know that maintaining our cardiovascular health as we age is important, and just as important is how we keep our brains healthy. This on-demand learning module will review concepts of brain health, normal aging, and what we can do to maximize brain health as we age, including the importance of keeping socially connected.

Presenter: Dr. Alex Henri-Bhargava

This on-demand learning module will provide:

• An overview of the Alzheimer Society and The Health Depot Pharmacy partnership.

• An understanding of medications and associated risks for developing dementia or increasing dementia symptoms.

Presenter: Andy Donald, President of The Health Depot and Certified Geriatric Pharmacist

Intended Audience: Everyone