This is dementia care that meets people where they are.

The Fish Approach Academy equips professionals with practical, relationship-centered skills to recognize patterns, anticipate unmet needs, and adjust care in real time- without relying on rigid protocols or one-size-fits-all solutions.

Why traditional dementia training falls short

Most professionals are trained to follow plans, check boxes, and manage tasks. But real dementia care requires you to: 🔹 Interpret behavior as communication 🔹 Respond to emotional and environmental needs 🔹 Adjust care moment by moment 🔹 Support families alongside the person living with dementia 🔹 Regulate your own nervous system in high-stress situations When care doesn’t adapt, distress increases- for residents, clients, families, and staff. The Fish Approach Academy was created to close that gap.

The Fish Approach Academy is a skills-based training program designed for professionals supporting people living with dementia.

Using the Fish metaphor—people with dementia are like fish in water—the Academy teaches you how to read the environment, the current, and the conditions influencing behavior. You’ll learn to stop asking: “How do I get them to stop doing this?” And start asking: “What is the environment asking of them-and how can care adjust?” Investment per seat (scroll to bottom for pricing tiers): 

$497.00

→ Invest in Your Dementia Care Journey

What professionals will learn

How to Read Behavior as Communication

Identify physical, emotional, environmental, and relational unmet needs expressed through behavior.

Environmental & Care Adjustments That Reduce Distress

Make small, practical changes that significantly improve quality of life.

Nervous System–Informed Care

Understand how your regulation impacts the person you’re supporting- and how to stay grounded under pressure.

Care That Adapts

Learn how to adjust care as abilities, emotions, and environments shift—without starting over every time.

Understand Behaviors

Learn how to recognize unmet needs beneath behaviors- so you’re not arguing or reacting in the moment.

Anticipate Needs Before Crisis

Spot patterns and early signals that help you adjust care before stress escalates for you or your loved one.

Respond With Confidence

Build skills to pause, regulate your own emotions, and respond in ways that reduce tension and build trust.

Practical Tools - Use Right Away

Simple frameworks, language, and strategies designed for real life- not textbooks or unrealistic care plans.

Support for You, Too

Because sustainable care includes you. The course helps reduce burnout, overwhelm, and self-doubt while strengthening connection.

The Fish Approach to Dementia Care

The Fish Approach Academy blends education with application: 🔹 Self-paced learning modules 🔹 Real-life dementia care scenarios 🔹 Reflection and pattern-mapping tools 🔹 Practical strategies you can apply immediately 🔹 Access LIVE VIRTUAL coaching sessions to practice what you have learned in the workshop This is training designed to change practice- not just increase knowledge.

Hear from Dementia Care Partners that joined me in the water…

Caregiving is real, emotional, and constantly changing. Current of Care meets you there-  with tools, language, and support that reflect real life, not textbook scenarios. This is care that adapts. Care that notices.  Care that honors both the person receiving care and the person giving it.

”
The Fish Approach is a game changer. I work with clients that have dementia, and my dad has Alzheimer's... Sheri's expertise has dramatically shifted my approach (even with others not living with brain change!) and has helped me be present and curious instead up frustrated and upset.
Steph

Care Partner for her Father & Community Members

”
Even as a retired nurse, I had so much to learn. Once I changed my approach, the frustration and anger disappeared—and our relationship improved. What looks simple to us can be terrifying to someone with dementia. Learning to see the world through their eyes changed how I care. This approach didn’t just help my dad—it helped our relationship. He’s happier, and so am I.
Birgit

Retired Nurse / Care Partner for her Father

 

Professional values at the core- Ready to strengthen your dementia care practice? The Fish Approach Academy is grounded in: 🔹 Relationship-centered dementia care 🔹 Trauma-informed and nervous system–aware practices 🔹 Respect for autonomy and dignity 🔹 Real-world caregiving experience 🔹 Collaboration with families and care teams Because excellent dementia care is both skilled and deeply human. If you’re ready to move beyond task-based care and develop skills that adapt to real life, The Fish Approach Academy is here to support you. Per Seat Investment (see below for bulk pricing):

$497.00

Get Started, Dive in with Me

Dementia care is not common sense, it’s a skill that can be learned…There is a better way.

Professionals report: Greater confidence in complex care situations Reduced escalation and behavioral distress Improved communication with families Stronger team alignment and shared language Renewed sense of purpose and compassion Not because the work gets easier...But because it becomes clearer and more humane.

Professional Pricing Tiers*

Investment Per Seat:  1-5 seats = $497 each 6-20 = 20% discount  21-50 = 35% discount 51+ = 50% discount NOTES: Discounts are automatically applied in cart.  You will receive a link you can share for the number of seats purchased- each user will need to create their own account.  Please reach out for a custom quote of 100 or more.

Curriculum

8 Chapters · 67 Lessons

  1. 1

    Welcome-Arriving at the Shoreline

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Welcome-Arriving at the Shoreline

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Disclaimer

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Share About Yourself

  2. 2

    Lesson 1-Dive into Change

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      Lesson 1-Dive into Change

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Share Your Thoughts

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Understanding Types of Dementia Handout

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 1-Check for Learning

  3. 3

    Lesson 2-Swim with the Fish

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      Lesson 2-Swim with the Fish

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      Lesson 2-Swim with the Fish-Handout

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 2-Swim with the Fish-Reflect

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Share Your Thoughts

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 2- Swim with the Fish-Recap

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      Lesson 2-Check for Learning

  4. 4

    Lesson 3-Demystify the Behavior

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      Lesson 3-Brain Changes Handout

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      Lesson 3 Part 1--Visual Experience

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      Lesson 3 Part 1-Check for Learning

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      Lesson 3 Part 2-Auditory and Language Worksheet

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      Lesson 3 Part 2-Auditory Experience

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      Lesson 3 Part 2-Check for Learning

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      Lesson 3 Part 3-Prefrontal Cortex-Handout and Worksheet

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      Lesson 3 Part 3-Prefrontal Cortex

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      Lesson 3 Part 3-Action

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      Lesson 3 Part 3-Summary

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      Share Your Thoughts

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      Lesson 3 Part 3-Check for Learning

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      Lesson 3 Part 4-Emotions and the Primitive Brain-Handout and Worksheet

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      Lesson 3 Part 4-Emotions and the Primitive Brain

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      Lesson 3 Part 4-Check for Learning

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 3 Part 5-Thinking and Emotions Connections Handout and Worksheet

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      Lesson 3 Part 5-Thinking and Emotion Connection

    18. (Included in full purchase)

      Share Your Thoughts

    19. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 3 Part 5-Summary

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      Lesson 3 Part 5-Check for Learning

  5. 5

    Lesson 4-Identify Your Impact

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      Lesson 4-Identify Your Impact-Handout and Worksheet

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      Lesson 4-Identify Your Impact

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Share Your Thoughts

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 4-Identify Your Impact-Action

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 4-Identify Your Impact-Summary

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      Lesson 4-Check for Learning

  6. 6

    The PAUSE

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      The PAUSE

  7. 7

    Lesson 5-Be the Difference

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      Lesson 5-Be the Difference-Introduction

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      Lesson 5-Be the Difference-Handout and Worksheet with Answer Key

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5 Part 1-Reflecting

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5 Part 1-Reflecting Action

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Share Your Thoughts

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5 Part 1-Reflecting Summary

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5 Part 1-Check for Learning

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5 Part 2-Investigating-Handout and Worksheet

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      Lesson 5 Part 2-Investigating

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      Share Your Thoughts

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5 Part 2-Summary

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5 Part 2-Check for Learning

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5 Part 3-Validate, Apologize, Reassure-Handout and Worksheet

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      Lesson 5 Part 3-Validate, Apologize, Reassure

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      Share Your Thoughts

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5 Part 3-Summary

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5 Part 3-Check for Learning

    18. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5 Part 4-Respond to Meet the Need-Handout and Worksheet

    19. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5 Part 4-Respond to Meet the Need

    20. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5 Part 4-Action

    21. (Included in full purchase)

      Share Your Thoughts

    22. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5 Part 4-Summary

    23. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5 Part 4-Check for Learning

  8. 8

    Lesson 6-Pack Your Gear

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      Lesson 6-Pack Your Gear-Worksheet

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      Lesson 6-Pack Your Gear

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      Congratulations! Post Survey

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 6-Next Steps-COACHING