The Adaptive Caregiver Model is a flexible, compassionate approach to person-centred dementia care. Rather than relying on one fixed method, the model helps caregivers adapt their response to meet the changing needs of the person in front of them.
Built around four adaptive caregiving roles – The Guide, The Navigator, The Storyteller and The Companion – the model provides a practical framework that can be applied throughout different stages of dementia and across a wide range of care situations.
Many dementia courses focus on understanding the condition. The Adaptive Caregiver Model focuses on understanding the person.
Rather than providing a set of techniques to follow, the model helps caregivers develop the confidence, judgement and adaptability needed to respond to the unique needs of each individual, in each moment.
This is not simply a Train the Trainer programme. It is an opportunity to deepen your practice, strengthen emotional intelligence, and develop the skills needed to create meaningful connections that improve quality of life for people living with dementia.
Delegates leave with more than a training package. They leave with a practical framework that can transform the way staff think, communicate and provide support across their organisation.
The programme is available as a public course in Grantham or can be delivered in-house at your organisation’s premises.
Why Choose the Adaptive Caregiver Model?
- Moves beyond traditional dementia awareness training and focuses on practical application.
- Provides a flexible framework rather than a one-size-fits-all approach to care.
- Develops confidence, professional judgement and emotional intelligence.
- Helps caregivers recognise and respond to changing needs in real time.
- Supports meaningful relationships rather than task-focused interactions.
- Promotes dignity, wellbeing and emotional safety for people living with dementia.
- Creates a shared language and consistent approach across teams and services.
- Equips trainers to influence culture, improve practice and create lasting organisational change.
This course doesn’t just teach people about dementia. It changes the way they think about supporting people living with dementia.
What you'll learn.
- The Guide – Encouraging independence and confidence through gentle prompts and reassurance.
- The Navigator – Providing structure and step-by-step support when tasks become confusing or overwhelming.
- The Storyteller – Using emotion, rhythm and shared experiences to build trust, calm and meaningful connection.
- The Companion – Offering comfort, dignity and emotional safety when communication becomes more challenging.
- Dementia awareness and understanding.
- The impact of dementia on cognition, memory, communication and wellbeing.
- Person-centred and relationship-based care approaches.
- Supporting meaningful engagement and activity.
- Understanding and responding to distressed behaviours.
- Communication techniques that promote connection and reduce distress.
- How to effectively deliver Adaptive Caregiver Model™ training within your organisation.
Who is Adaptive Caregiver Model: Supporting People Living with Dementia, Train the Trainer Course for?
This programme is ideal for professionals who are responsible for delivering dementia training, supporting staff development or improving dementia care practice within their organisation.
- Internal trainers and Learning and Development teams.
- Dementia leads and dementia champions.
- Care home managers and registered managers.
- Nurses and allied health professionals.
- Clinical leads and senior support workers.
- Training providers and consultants.
- Organisations wishing to develop internal dementia training capability.
Trainer-Level Requirements
To attend this programme, delegates must provide:
- Evidence of at least 2 years’ relevant experience in dementia care.
- Evidence of a recognised training qualification, or evidence that they are signed up and actively working towards one.
This programme is designed for experienced professionals who wish to deliver dementia training to others and is not intended as an introductory dementia awareness course.
What are the learning outcomes?
By the end of this three-day Train the Trainer programme, delegates will be able to:
- Understand how dementia affects memory, communication, emotions and behaviour.
- Apply the four Adaptive Caregiver Model roles to support people living with dementia in a range of care situations.
- Recognise when to adapt their approach to reduce distress and improve engagement.
- Use communication techniques that promote connection, dignity and emotional wellbeing.
- Respond more confidently and compassionately to behaviours that challenge or distress others.
- Create meaningful, person-centred support strategies using the Adaptive Caregiver Model™ framework.
- Understand how to deliver Adaptive Caregiver Model training effectively within their organisation.
- Facilitate engaging training sessions that build staff confidence and improve care practice.
- Promote a consistent, person-centred approach to dementia care across teams and services.
- Champion a culture of dignity, compassion and emotional safety for people living with dementia.
- Download course brochure
