Become a Certified Dementia Practitioner® (CDP®) Today
At Trinity Dementia Training, everything starts with one goal: improving the quality of life for those living with dementia. That change begins with you, the caregiver. Through education, support, and hands-on strategies, we empower professionals and families alike to bring more dignity, understanding, and connection to every stage of care.
Earning a CDP® certification through the NCCDP can strengthen your professional reputation, lead to higher pay, and boost job satisfaction by helping you deliver exceptional care.
EDUCATE. EMPOWER. ELEVATE.
Why This Training Matters
Caring for someone living with dementia isn’t just a job – it’s personal. It requires emotional strength, patience, and specialized knowledge. No matter whether you’re a professional caregiver or supporting a loved one, training to become a CDP® equips you with essential tools to provide care that is not only effective but deeply compassionate.
“Dementia care is a journey—make sure you have the right guide.”
Loretta Shacklett, M.S., CSA, CDP, CMDCP, CADDCT, CMDCPT
What Is a Certified Dementia Practitioner® (CDP®)?
The Certified Dementia Practitioner® credential is recognized nationwide as a mark of excellence in dementia care. It’s open to healthcare professionals, frontline staff, and other senior care professionals who work in and around the senior healthcare industry within the United States.
“Education is the roadmap that turns exhaustion into resilience and uncertainty into confidence.”
Loretta Shacklett, M.S., CSA, CDP, CMDCP, CADDCT, CMDCPTTop Benefits of Becoming a CDP®
Stronger communication and behavior management skills
Learn practical, person-centered techniques to navigate challenging behaviors with empathy and clarity.
Better care, better outcomes
Training empowers you to create more personalized care plans – leading to improved quality of life for those living with dementia.
Increased confidence, less burnout
When you know what to do, care feels less overwhelming. Walk away with tools that support both your residents and your own well-being.
Professional growth
and recognition
Certification adds meaningful weight to your resume, opening doors to advancement and reinforcing your credibility as a dementia care professional.
What You’ll Learn Through CDP® Training
Topics to be covered:
- Diagnosis & Treatment
- Communication
- Depression
- Repetitive Behavior
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Wandering
- Hoarding
- Aggressive Behavior
- Intimacy & Sexuality
- Personal Care
- Pain
- Nutrition
- Activities
- Environment
- Staff & Family Support
- Diversity
- Spiritual Care & End of Life
This seminar is filled with real-life strategies and insights to help you feel more confident, compassionate, and prepared in your role as a caregiver. You’ll walk away with tools you can use right away to transform the lives of those living with dementia.
You’ll learn how to:
✔ Understand the differences between various types of dementia and the fundamentals of person-centered care
✔ Build trust and connect more effectively with those in your care using person-centered language and visual communication
✔ Respond to behaviors like sundowning, repetition, or aggression with calm and skill
✔ Support daily routines in ways that preserve dignity and reduce frustration
✔ Take better care of yourself and manage stress on the job
✔ Develop activities that are meaningful, engaging, and frustration-free
✔ Certificate of Attendance included
Final Steps for Certification
Attending the 8-hour in-person or virtual Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Seminar is a requirement for certification as a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP). In addition to the course cost, the NCCDP charges an application fee/certification fee. Please see NCCDP.org for more information. For eligibility requirements, training information, and NCCDP application instructions, please visit this link.
This certification is open to all healthcare professionals and front-line staff who work in healthcare settings.
Meet Your Trainer — Loretta Shacklett
Loretta Shacklett is the founder of Trinity Dementia Training LLC and Simplify Senior Living LLC. Her journey in this space began with caring for her own mother – an experience that formed her belief that quality care must start with education, compassion, and empathy. Since then, Loretta has dedicated her time to supporting caregivers and care teams by helping them feel more prepared, confident, and connected to those they serve.
Through her dementia training programs, she’s taught hundreds of caregivers how to meet each client with understanding and respect. Her background in life coaching and family counseling, coupled with first-hand experience as a caregiver, gives her the unique ability to connect with learners on both a personal and professional level. Loretta’s ultimate goal is to bridge the growing gap in dementia education by ensuring caregivers feel educated, empowered, and elevated in the care they provide.
“When empathy, clinical skills, education, and training come together, caring for those living with dementia doesn’t just feel different, it feels transformative.”
Loretta Shacklett, M.S., CSA, CDP, CMDCP, CADDCT, CMDCPT
Certified Senior Advisor®
Certified Dementia Practitioner
Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional
Certified Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia Care Trainer
Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional Trainer
Real Results from Real Caregivers
“I recently participated in a seminar on Dementia and Alzheimer’s and it was excellently presented by Certified Senior Advisor Loretta Shacklett and the information was presented professionally and with passion and shared insight in many areas of the disease and how to address different situations! Thank you!”
“So helpful and easy to understand. I have already applied the training in dealing with some of my clients and the results have been amazing. If you ever see a class that she is offering, make sure you sign up before they are filled.”
“I recently attended the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Seminar via zoom with Loretta. She was a very thorough and engaging practitioner for this course. I feel like I walked away with a wealth of knowledge about Dementia and how to properly care for individuals with the disease as well as how to help support their loved ones and care givers. I would highly recommend Loretta and this course to my colleagues or anyone interested.”
“After attending the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Course with Loretta I felt so confident going back to work with memory care. “Be guiding not controlling” was one quote that stuck with me. I recommend this course to everyone because you’ll never know when you’ll come in contact with someone suffering from Dementia/Alzheimer’s. Having the knowledge of knowing how to communicate and engage can make a big difference in someone’s life. Thank You!”
