Tabitha Johnson began her career in dementia care in 2012 as a CNA in a long-term care facility. With a master’s degree in health care administration specializing in gerontology, Tabitha has held various roles, including Social Services Director, Activity Director, Administrator in Training, Certified End-of-Life Doula and Consultant.
In 2017, while serving as a Social Services Director, Tabitha became a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP). This certification inspired her to pursue her passion for teaching. Later that year, she earned her Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer (CADDCT) designation and founded Dementia Education & Consulting, Ltd., transitioning to a full-time independent trainer.
Tabitha launched her training career with the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Curriculum at Magnolia Manor Senior Living throughout Georgia. The program’s success led Magnolia implementing the training for all their staff. To date, Tabitha has trained over 120 in-person students across Magnolia Manor’s seven communities and nearly 600 students online through her company.
“In several of the communities, residents would sit around the nurse’s station. I like to focus on activities that engage residents and create an environment where they can succeed and enjoy a good quality of life. Post-training, I noticed a remarkable change—residents were no longer gathered at the nurse’s station, activities were more engaging, and the overall energy in the building was different,” Tabitha shared.
Building Engagement and Reducing Burnout
Tabitha observed that as staff became more engaged, they began volunteering for the training, making dementia education a collaborative effort. Magnolia Manor recognized the value of investing in their employees, which also became an investment in the company’s success. Having Certified Dementia Practitioners (CDPs) on staff became a marketing differentiator for Magnolia Manor Senior Living.
“I think caregiver burnout is a significant issue. The training brings in fun and provides tools to help both residents and caregivers. When residents and caregivers are more engaged, it fundamentally changes their interactions. The certification and resources offer great tools for continuous improvement,” Tabitha explained.
To sustain their training efforts, Magnolia took the initiative to certify their own trainers (CADDCT) within their memory care community, Mattie Marshall Center and their nursing centers. Having in-house trainers ensures that engagement and expertise remain part of the daily routine, fostering a culture of consistent, high-quality care.
A Passion for Teaching and Connection
“Meeting people is one of my favorite parts of being a trainer,” Tabitha said. “I post classes on the calendar, and it’s an excellent marketing tool. Offering classes in different time zones has allowed me to meet people from across the country. I love referencing NCCDP materials. Many people haven’t heard of culture change, and we get to teach those concepts. It’s a nationwide movement that helps make their communities better.”
Tabitha continues to make an impact with Aging & Disability Care Management as a Care Manager in Dalton, Georgia, and as a consultant for Medical Records, Activities, and Social Services throughout many communities in Georgia. She teaches her classes online, making them accessible to professionals nationwide.
For more information or to register for one of Tabitha’s classes, visit her website or find her courses on the NCCDP calendar.
