California CNA Upskilling (CUSP) Behavioral Health Specialty or
Dementia Specialty

CNAs often report difficulty responding to resident behavior related to dementia or serious mental illness. Providing CNAs with skills to identify and respond to issues involving resident dementia and mental health is critical, both to quality of care and to staff safety.

Earn
CEUs



CDPH & ANCC
Approved Provider

Includes CARES® Certification


Acknowledge
Dementia Understanding and Knowledge

Evidence-Based Practices

Recognized by the Alzheimer's Association®

CARES®
5-Step Method

Quality, Online Dementia Care Training

Level IVa
Behavioral Health Specialty



In the 4-hour CARES® Dementia 5-Step Method online training program learn the person-centered CARES 5-step method, an easy-to-remember approach to care for any person in any situation and at any level of dementia thinking decline. The program includes training on person-centered care, the changes that happen to thinking skills, how those changes impact behavior, and how to understand behavior as communication.

Develop care strategies for those with serious mental illness and how it differs from dementia. Antipsychotics, when used appropriately can help people with serious mental illnesses such as major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder live a regular life. The CARES® Serious Mental Illness™ is a 4-hour online training program that provides a deep dive into each of these illnesses and covers strategies for caring for people living with a serious mental illness who may be in your care.

Level IVb
Dementia Specialty



In the 4-hour CARES® Dementia 5-Step Method online training program learn the person-centered CARES 5-step method, an easy-to-remember approach to care for any person in any situation and at any level of dementia thinking decline. The program includes training on person-centered care, the changes that happen to thinking skills, how those changes impact behavior, and how to understand behavior as communication.

The CARES® Activities of Daily™ is a 4-hour online training program focuses on understanding each stage of dementia and how to respond to the changes that each stage presents. Through interactive features and real-life videos users will learn about the challenging care areas of dressing, eating, toileting, and Mobility, Transferring, and Positioning. Small changes can make the total difference in having a pleasant, successful experience vs. possibly getting yelled at, sworn at, bitten, or even punched.

Supervisor purchases include access to specialized supervisor training, nursing CEUs, and the selected specialty (Behavioral or Dementia) online training programs.