Alzheimer's & Dementia Care Partner Education
Whether you're brand new to caregiving, or you just want to brush up on a specific topic, Insight is here to help! We offer a variety of caregiving classes throughout the year, specifically geared towards family care partners providing care for a loved one at home. Most classes are complimentary, and open to the public.
Want to see upcoming classes? Check out our event calendar.
What's Offered?
Types of Classes
Specialized classes are offered for care partners to build their skills and confidence while learning more about new topics, services, and dementia resources in the community. These sessions can be one more tool in your belt to being a stronger care partner! Classes and workshops are offered on a variety of topics throughout the year, both in-person and online.
Getting started
- Classes for Care Partners - complimentary, one-time classes offered on a variety of topics to help care partners learn new skills and resources available. Typically offered in-person.
- Virtual Dementia Tour - complimentary hands-on experience to simulate the effects of dementia. It is designed to help care partners better empathize with their loved ones and provide better care. Offered in-person several times throughout the year.
- Learning About a a Dementia Diagnosis - This virtual information session is for individuals recently diagnosed with dementia and their loved ones. We explore what dementia is (and isn’t), what to expect early on, the emotional impact of a diagnosis, and practical next steps. Participants will also learn ways to live well with dementia and have time for questions in a supportive, welcoming space. Complimentary.
Go more in-depth
- Care Partner Boot Camp - complimentary, multi-session training for care partners to learn more all in one day! Boot Camps are offered several times each year on a variety of helpful topics for care partners.
- Caregiving at a Glance Workshop - through our popular Caregiving at a Glance guidebook with the help of experts in the field.
And there's more!
- Special guest and expert speakers - Experts in the field present on topics related to caregiving, legal needs, financial plans, and more.
- Community presentations - Insight presents for other groups and organizations, many of which are open to the public. If you miss a class here, join us in your neighborhood!
- Community Education - Insight works with numerous area partners to offer additional educational opportunities throughout the year, such as the Caring for You, Caring for Me workshop series, Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium Annual Caregivers' Conference, and more!
Join Us!
Upcoming Classes
Not Ready Yet
Not Ready Yet: Because the Best Decisions Happen Before You're Forced to Make Them
If you've noticed changes in someone you love and aren't sure what to think — or suspect dementia but aren't ready to face it head-on — this workshop is for you.
It's okay to feel uncertain or unprepared. But the most difficult decisions in a dementia journey are made far more peacefully before a crisis forces your hand.
In this gentle, no-pressure session, we'll walk through what lies ahead: caregiving options, in-home assistance, professional care management, and housing arrangements that can grow with your loved one's needs.
You don't need all the answers today — just the willingness to take one quiet, courageous step toward being prepared.
Dawn Jefferson, Education and Support Coordinator at Insight Memory Care Center will be facilitating this workshop.
RSVP with Zeb Chaudry at SHAHZEB.CHAUDHRY@sunriseseniorliving.com
Call 703-255-1006 with questions
Pride and Care: Navigating Dementia in the LGBTQ+ Community
In this webinar presentation, hosted by the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging, Dawn Jefferson, Education and Support Coordinator with Insight Memory Care Center will present on navigating dementia in the LGBTQ+ community. Caring for a partner or loved one with dementia is hard enough — doing it while navigating a healthcare system that wasn’t built with LGBTQ+ families in mind adds another layer entirely. This session creates space for LGBTQ+ care partners to share what’s real: the fear of “re-closeting” a loved one in a new care setting, the legal gray areas around chosen family, and the exhaustion of educating providers again and again. Together we’ll talk through practical tools, community resources, and ways to advocate for dignity and recognition at every stage of the dementia journey.
Dawn Jefferson is the Education and Support Coordinator at Insight Memory Care Center in Fairfax, VA. She is a native New Yorker who has nurtured a 20-year career as an educator, having taught English and been an administrator at The Potomac School in McLean, VA and The Urban School of San Francisco, CA.
REGISTER HERE: https://bit.ly/CAREWEB1
All webinars are free and open to family caregivers, older adults, adults with a disability, professionals, and the community-at-large.
All webinars will be recorded, and registrants will receive a link to the recording of the live event.
For questions, contact Ayiguli.Saifuding@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 571-407-6961.
Virtual Dementia Tour (VDT) (in-person event)
The Virtual Dementia Tour (VDT) is designed to help simulate the effects of dementia. A trained facilitator will guide participants outfitted with patented devices that alter their senses while they try to complete common everyday tasks and exercises. The Tour enables caregivers to experience for themselves the physical and mental challenges those with dementia face, and use the experience to provide better person-centered care.
Sign up for a specific 30-minute time slot at the link below; only two are available each half-hour. Pick your slot today to gain better insight into caring for those with memory impairments!
Looking for more information?
Contact Us!
Contact our Education Team at educate@insightmcc.org or 703-204-4664.
