U-First!® for Health Care Professionals supports health care and other service providers who work with people living with dementia or other cognitive impairments. U-First!® builds on existing curriculum and encourages learners to make lifelong learning a goal. The vision is to provide every member of the care team with consistent education on key skills and best care practices. It sets the stage for common knowledge, language for communicating with all members of the care team (including informal care partners), and a comprehensive approach to care.

This program is for personal support workers and other front-line health care workers (including dietary, rehabilitation and social service staff, activationists, nurses, and health care students).

We highly recommend that you take Dementia Foundations prior to registering to this course.

 

Date and Time: 
Thursday, September 18th from 9:00am to 4:00pm

Cost: $80

 

This is an In-Person workshop at our Alzheimer Society of Toronto head office.
Address: 20 Eglinton Ave West, 16th Floor, Toronto
(Northwest corner of Yonge and Eglinton, across the street from Yonge and Eglinton subway station. Our office tower is to the left of Metro Grocery)

 

Registration is required. [When registering, please ensure the email provided is one you have regular access to. In the unlikely event of cancellations or other changes, we will reach out to you via email]
Registration deadline is Monday, September 15th, 2025

This 4-session series explores the different issues Frontline Health Care Providers may experience when providing care to People Living with Dementia. In this series of workshops, participants will receive information on a variety of self care topics in addition to learning tips and strategies on how to work better as a team with the aim of enhancing client care.

These workshops will be online using Zoom.

 

Session 4: Grief and Loss
Tuesday, February 10th, from 10:00am to 11:30am
This session will cover the significant bonds that can be formed between a resident and Health Care Professional.
It will also highlight the emotional impact that the death of a resident/patient can have on these individuals as a result of their connection.

 

Other sessions in the series:
Session 1: Self-Care for Professionals Toolkit
Tuesday, November 11th, from 10:00am to 11:30am

Session 2: Putting You First
Tuesday, December 9th, from 10:00am to 11:30am

Session 3: TRUST in Dementia Care (The Recognition and Understanding of Sensitive Topics)
Tuesday, January 13th, from 10:00am to 11:30am

 

Registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

This 4-session series explores the different issues Frontline Health Care Providers may experience when providing care to People Living with Dementia. In this series of workshops, participants will receive information on a variety of self care topics in addition to learning tips and strategies on how to work better as a team with the aim of enhancing client care.

These workshops will be online using Zoom.

 

Session 3: TRUST in Dementia Care (The Recognition and Understanding of Sensitive Topics)
Tuesday, January 13th, from 10:00am to 11:30am
This workshop aims to support learners in understanding the reasons why responsive behaviours occur in people with dementia, recognize the impact that these responsive behaviours have on healthcare workers, and identify strategies and tools to build resiliency to cope with hurtful actions and comments.

 

Other sessions in the series:
Session 1: Self-Care for Professionals Toolkit
Tuesday, November 11th, from 10:00am to 11:30am

Session 2: Putting You First
Tuesday, December 9th, from 10:00am to 11:30am

Session 4: Grief and Loss
Tuesday, February 10th, from 10:00am to 11:30am

 

Registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

This 4-session series explores the different issues Frontline Health Care Providers may experience when providing care to People Living with Dementia. In this series of workshops, participants will receive information on a variety of self care topics in addition to learning tips and strategies on how to work better as a team with the aim of enhancing client care.

These workshops will be online using Zoom.

 

Session 2: Putting You First 
Tuesday, December 9th, from 10:00am to 11:30am
This workshop will focus on enhancing your self awareness of your current well-being. It will also support your reflection for opportunities to create a better balance in your life.

 

Other sessions in the series:
Session 1: Self-Care for Professionals Toolkit
Tuesday, November 11th, from 10:00am to 11:30am

Session 3: Navigating Difficult Conversations
Tuesday, January 13th, from 10:00am to 11:30am

Session 4: Grief and Loss
Tuesday, February 10th, from 10:00am to 11:30am

 

Registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

This 4-session series explores the different issues Frontline Health Care Providers may experience when providing care to People Living with Dementia. In this series of workshops, participants will receive information on a variety of self care topics in addition to learning tips and strategies on how to work better as a team with the aim of enhancing client care.

These workshops will be online using Zoom.

 

Session 1: Self-Care for Professionals Toolkit
Tuesday, November 18th, from 10:00am to 11:30am
This session will discuss the concept of Self Care and the important role it plays in managing the day-to-day stress associated with a Health Care Professional’s occupation.
This session will provide practical strategies for self care and encourage participants to create their own self care plan with examples of activities provided throughout.

 

Other sessions in the series:
Session 2: Putting You First
Tuesday, December 9th, from 10:00am to 11:30am

Session 3: Navigating Difficult Conversations
Tuesday, January 13th, from 10:00am to 11:30am

Session 4: Grief and Loss
Tuesday, February 10th, from 10:00am to 11:30am

 

Registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

Please note, this EASE series is for those working in the Community.

 

The E.A.S.E program is a 4-session program developed for PSWs currently working with persons living with dementia.
The program will engage PSWs in dementia education, giving practical tools to improve the level of care and support provided to persons living with dementia and the PSW – a real-life approach. PSW’s will leave each session with tools/ideas to use right away on the job.

NOTE: Each session is a stand-alone. Registration is required for each session.

 

Dates:
Tuesdays, February 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th.

Time:
2pm – 3pm

 

Session 4 – T.R.U.S.T. in Dementia Care
TRUST (The Recognition and Understanding of Sensitive Topics) in Dementia Care is a workshop for frontline health care professionals who work directly with persons living with dementia. Participants will be able to understand factors that lead to responsive behaviours, recognize the emotional impact responsive behaviours have on healthcare workers, and identify strategies and tools to build resiliency to cope with hurtful actions and comments.

Please note, this EASE series is for those working in the Community.

 

The E.A.S.E program is a 4-session program developed for PSWs currently working with persons living with dementia.
The program will engage PSWs in dementia education, giving practical tools to improve the level of care and support provided to persons living with dementia and the PSW – a real-life approach. PSW’s will leave each session with tools/ideas to use right away on the job.

NOTE: Each session is a stand-alone. Registration is required for each session.

 

Dates:
Tuesdays, February 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th.

Time:
2pm – 3pm

 

Session 3 – Tips in Supporting People with Dementia
It is empowering to have a tool belt of resources at our fingertips. In this session we explore various methods we can use to provide a positive approach to interaction.

Please note, this EASE series is for those working in the Community.

 

The E.A.S.E program is a 4-session program developed for PSWs currently working with persons living with dementia.
The program will engage PSWs in dementia education, giving practical tools to improve the level of care and support provided to persons living with dementia and the PSW – a real-life approach. PSW’s will leave each session with tools/ideas to use right away on the job.

NOTE: Each session is a stand-alone. Registration is required for each session.

 

Dates:
Tuesdays, February 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th.

Time:
2pm – 3pm

 

Session 2 – Supporting Responsive Behaviours
Our life’s story can become our behaviors: how can a PLWDs past dictate how they present in the here and now?

Please note, this EASE series is for those working in the Community.

 

The E.A.S.E program is a 4-session program developed for PSWs currently working with persons living with dementia.
The program will engage PSWs in dementia education, giving practical tools to improve the level of care and support provided to persons living with dementia and the PSW – a real-life approach. PSW’s will leave each session with tools/ideas to use right away on the job.

NOTE: Each session is a stand-alone. Registration is required for each session.

 

Dates:
Tuesdays, February 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th.

Time:
2pm – 3pm

 

Session 1 – Supporting Symptoms of Dementia
In this session we explore the symptoms of dementia, what they may look like and the impact they can have when giving support to person’s living with dementia.

Please note, this EASE series is for those working in Long Term Care.

 

The E.A.S.E program is a 4-session program developed for PSWs currently working with persons living with dementia.
The program will engage PSWs in dementia education, giving practical tools to improve the level of care and support provided to persons living with dementia and the PSW – a real-life approach. PSW’s will leave each session with tools/ideas to use right away on the job.

NOTE: Each session is a stand-alone. Registration is required for each session.

 

Dates:
Thursdays, October 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th.

Time:
10am – 11am

 

Session 4 – T.R.U.S.T. in Dementia Care
TRUST (The Recognition and Understanding of Sensitive Topics) in Dementia Care is a workshop for frontline health care professionals who work directly with persons living with dementia. Participants will be able to understand factors that lead to responsive behaviours, recognize the emotional impact responsive behaviours have on healthcare workers, and identify strategies and tools to build resiliency to cope with hurtful actions and comments.