The practitioner demonstrates their skills in observing, listening, pacing, exploring, matching voice tones, collaborating and facilitating. The person feels the practitioner's empathetic understanding creating the therapeutic relationship.

iCARER is an acronym for a set of skilful therapeutic interaction. These skills are transferable to other relationships e.g. professional and client, parent and child, educator and learner, supervisor and carers. Once learnt, these skills cannot be unlearnt. 

Who should attend?

People familiar with person-centred dementia practice, from all settings and backgrounds whether care managers, professionals, housekeepers, family carers or support staff. 

What will I learn?

The therapeutic skills demonstrated in the film Conversations that Matter: Breaking through Dementia. 

1. Gain greater awareness of your feelings, values and behaviours towards a person experiencing dementia at any given moment

2. The theoretical approach and principles underpinning person-centred communication in dementia care and support.

3. To apply person-centred validation verbal and non-verbal interactions skills demonstrating the empathetic process at various stages of dementia (iCARER™)

4. To communicate confidently and effectively in crucial moments when emotions start to run high

5. To unlock and meet and a person’s deeper emotional need

6. Demonstrate person-centred touch and validation skills for a person in mid to later stages of dementia.

7. Be able to establish a therapeutic relationship using person-centred validation process and skills.

Day 1 

1. Puting theory in practice.

2. The essential core conditions needed to create a therapeutic relationship.

3. iCARER skills practice.

Day 2 

1. iCARER skills practice.

2. Learning to present the iCARER™ 3hr programme to the community or an organisation

iCARER is an acronym for a set of skilful therapeutic interaction. It is warmer, richer in feeling than that of everyday life.  The purpose is to find a shared meaning between two people and understand the reality the person with dementia is experiencing.  By using such interaction, the helper is conveying, you are important to me. I am listening. I want to understand. 

Please download the Learning Outcomes: Understand and enable therapeutic interaction and communication with individuals experiencing dementia.

What are the benefits to my organisation?

• Teams felt more confident and equipped to respond positively to the person’s emotional and psychological needs particularly in stressful situations.

• Team members have the skills and materials to offer a 90-minute iCarer™ session to other staff and families (iCARER is an acronym for a set of skilful therapeutic interaction).

• These skills are transferable to other relationships e.g. professional and client, parent and child, educator and learner, supervisor and carers. Once learnt, these skills cannot be unlearnt.

• Staff report a greater sense of fulfilment at work.

• An increased involvement from families ensuring personalised care.