Homewatch CareGivers of Arvada Now Offering Advanced Dementia Training Program for Caregivers
At Homewatch CareGivers of Arvada, we believe high-quality dementia care begins with seeing the person beyond their diagnosis.
That’s why we’re proud to provide caregivers with access to a new Certified Dementia Care Specialist Training program. This advanced education is intended to deepen understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias while also strengthening the practical, day-to-day skills that support the compassionate dementia home care services we deliver.
Led by Employee Coordinator Shauna Justice, the program was developed to help caregivers establish trust and meaningful connections with clients, reduce confusion and resistance to home care, and support more stable and calming daily routines.
“This training helps caregivers meet clients where they are both cognitively and emotionally, so they can build trust and comfort before focusing on hands-on care,” Shauna said.
What Makes This Training Different
Created for the national Homewatch CareGivers franchise network by dementia home care experts, this certification builds on our agency’s required full-day orientation and 12 hours of annual education. It includes six hours of online coursework, six hours of guided workbook activities, and three hours of in-person small-group discussion, followed by a final presentation where caregivers demonstrate what they’ve learned.
While the program reinforces essential real-world caregiving skills, it also emphasizes key areas of person-centered dementia home care, including:
- Approaches that support overall well-being for individuals living with dementia
- Interpreting challenging behaviors as communication
- De-escalation strategies such as slowing down and redirection
- Identifying sensory and cognitive changes that may affect safety
- Understanding the emotional and social impact of dementia
Caregivers are eligible after completing at least one year with our organization, demonstrating strong performance, and finishing all required foundational training. Moving forward, the goal is to train three to five caregivers per quarter, reaching roughly 20% of our census by year-end. So far, six team members, including Shauna, have completed the certification.
Because dementia home care is often nuanced, outcomes frequently depend on how home caregivers respond in moments of confusion, fear, or resistance. This training emphasizes meeting clients where they are cognitively while applying evidence-based techniques that help reduce distress and strengthen trust.
“This program gives caregivers another resource to support clients—not only practical skills, but a more thoughtful, human-centered approach that brings added compassion to care,” Shauna said. “It makes it easier to support individuals with more complex dementia care needs.”
A Training Approach Based on Personal Experience
Shauna, who also oversees caregiver orientation and ongoing online training requirements, focuses on helping caregivers build confidence while improving decision-making skills.
“I try to approach teaching with an open perspective. People learn at different speeds and in different ways,” Shauna said. “During orientation especially, I focus on guiding caregivers so they can grow into confident decision-makers.”
Her approach is shaped by both professional training and personal experience supporting individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Before working in home care, she studied nursing and worked in medical administration at Denver Health. She has also cared for family members with dementia, where she observed how small changes—like consistent routines or gentle redirection—can significantly reduce anxiety and behavioral challenges.
“My grandma was very active and tended to wander, so we built walking into her daily routine every morning,” Shauna said. “My grandpa-in-law often talked about traveling to Germany, so instead of correcting him, we joined him in that conversation and followed his lead.”
Those experiences continue to shape how Shauna trains caregivers today, ensuring they feel prepared and supported when navigating complex situations in the field.
A Compassionate, Evidence-Based Approach to Dementia Home Care
Our commitment to caregiver development remains a core priority. Homewatch CareGivers of Arvada was recently recognized with the Activated Insights Leader in Training Award for 2026, placing us among the top providers nationwide and reflecting our continued investment in training and quality home care. For families, this translates into more prepared caregivers and more personalized support.
If you’re exploring dementia care for a loved one with more complex needs, our team is here to help. To learn how our advanced caregiver training strengthens the dementia care services we provide, call Homewatch CareGivers of Arvada at (303) 444-1133 or contact us online.