Homewatch CareGivers of Fort Collins Now Offering Advanced Dementia Training Program for Caregivers
At Homewatch CareGivers of Fort Collins, we believe strong dementia care begins with recognizing the person behind the diagnosis.
That’s why we’re proud to offer caregivers access to a new Certified Dementia Care Specialist Training program. This advanced education is designed to deepen understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias while reinforcing the day-to-day caregiving skills that support the compassionate dementia home care services we provide.
Led by Employee Coordinator Shauna Justice, the program was created to help caregivers strengthen trust with clients, reduce confusion and resistance to home care, and establish more calming and predictable daily routines.
“This training helps caregivers meet clients where they are cognitively and emotionally, so trust and comfort can be built before focusing on physical care,” Shauna said.
What Makes This Training Different
Developed for the national Homewatch CareGivers franchise network by dementia care specialists, this certification expands on our required full-day orientation and 12 hours of annual education. It includes six hours of online learning, six hours of guided workbook practice, and three hours of in-person small-group discussion, followed by a final presentation where home caregivers demonstrate their learning.
While the program reinforces essential caregiving skills used in daily care, it also emphasizes key components of person-centered dementia care, including:
- Strategies that support overall well-being for individuals living with dementia
- Reframing challenging behaviors as communication
- De-escalation techniques such as slowing pace and gentle redirection
- Recognizing sensory and cognitive changes that may impact safety
- Understanding the emotional and social experience of dementia
Caregivers may participate 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 approximately 20% of our census by year-end. So far, six team members, including Shauna, have completed the certification.
Because dementia home care can be highly nuanced, outcomes often depend on how caregivers respond in real time to fear, confusion, or resistance. This training emphasizes meeting clients where they are cognitively while applying evidence-based approaches that reduce distress and build trust.
“This program gives caregivers another way to support clients—not just through skills, but through a more thoughtful, human-centered approach,” Shauna said. “It helps us provide better support for individuals with more complex dementia home care needs.”
A Training Approach Based on Personal Experience
Shauna, who also oversees caregiver orientation and ongoing online education requirements, focuses on helping home caregivers build confidence and improve decision-making skills.
“I try to approach teaching with patience and flexibility. People absorb information differently and at different speeds,” Shauna said. “During orientation, I focus on helping caregivers learn how to make sound decisions as they grow into the role.”
Her approach is informed 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 saw how small changes—such as consistent routines or gentle redirection—can meaningfully reduce stress and behavioral challenges.
“My grandma was very active and tended to wander, so we incorporated daily walks into her routine every morning,” Shauna said. “My grandpa-in-law often talked about traveling to Germany, so instead of correcting him, we followed his lead and engaged with those plans.”
These experiences continue to shape how Shauna prepares caregivers today, ensuring they feel equipped to respond to complex situations with confidence and respect.
A Compassionate, Evidence-Based Approach to Dementia Home Care
Caregiver development remains a core focus of our agency. Homewatch CareGivers of Fort Collins was recently recognized with the Activated Insights Leader in Training Award for 2026, placing us among top providers nationwide and reflecting our ongoing commitment to training and quality home care. For families, this means more prepared caregivers and more individualized support.
If you’re exploring dementia home care for a loved one with more complex needs, we’re here to help. To learn how our advanced caregiver training enhances the dementia care services we provide, call Homewatch CareGivers of Fort Collins at (303) 444-1133 or contact us online.