The Best Friends™ Virtual Master Training Institute is a three-day course to become a Master Trainer in the relationship-centered Best Friends™ Approach to Dementia Care. This training will teach you how to train others in the Best Friends™ approach.

Registrants of the Best Friends™ Institute must have prior knowledge of the Best Friends™ approach. If you are new to Best Friends, see our Introductory Training options. To learn more about the benefits and responsibilities of being a Master Trainer, see the Best Friends Master Trainer Guidelines and FAQs.

For questions regarding the training arrangements, please contact bestfriends@healthpropress.com or call 1-888-337-8808 ext 180.

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MATERIALS AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR VIRTUAL TRAINING

The Virtual Best Friends™ Training Institute is conducted using the online Zoom meeting platform. You are provided with email links to register for each virtual training session. You also receive a User’s Guide to Zoom describing the functions used during the training. Additional printed training materials are shipped in advance of the training to an address you supply for this purpose.

Participants use their own computer equipment and wifi connection to join the virtual training. Due to the interactive nature of the training, your video and audio must be on and fully functional for every session. You are responsible for the proper functioning, reliability, and capacity of your computer equipment and internet service used during the training program. Malfunctions on the user’s end are not the responsibility of the training host, but all reasonable efforts will be made to assist with resolving technical difficulties. Any malfunction on the part of the training host will be addressed as quickly as possible and accommodations will be communicated immediately to participants, including rescheduling of sessions or provision of new meeting links if needed.

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS

If you would like to request a special accommodation for a disability (e.g., large-print materials), please contact us by calling 1-888-337-8808 ext 180 or emailing bestfriends@healthpropress.com.

TRAINING SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

All registrants attending the training to become Master Trainers will experience 12 hours of stimulating lecture and interactive learning over the course of 3 days, including the completion of a post-training test and active participation in discussions, small-group work, and other exercises during the Institute. Attendance at all six sessions is required for certification.

TUESDAY | Jun 10, 2025

• Session 1 | 11:00am–1:00pm EST: The Best Friends™ Model Defined
• Session 2 | 3:00pm–5:00pm EST: The Experience of Dementia; Best Friends™ in Action

WEDNESDAY | Jun 11, 2025

• Session 3 | 11:00am–1:00pm EST: Best Friends™ in Action (cont.)
• Session 4 | 3:00pm–5:00pm EST: Creating and Sustaining a Best Friends™ Program

THURSDAY | Jun 12, 2025

• Session 5  | 11:00am–1:00pm EST: Training presentations
• Session 6 | 3:00pm–5:00pm EST: Implementing Best Friends™; Post-test

*All times are listed in Eastern Standard Time; adjust for your time zone

CEUs

For interested candidates, continuing education credits (9) are available from National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB), and National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP). It may be possible to arrange for other professional CEU and contact hour categories for particular Institutes. Contact bestfriends@healthpropress.com for further information.

QUESTIONS?

Please e-mail bestfriends@healthpropress.com or call 1-888-337-8808 ext 180.

For information on other training opportunities available through HPP’s Specialized Expert Training (S.E.T.), please contact training@healthpropress.com.

REGISTRATION PROCESS AND CONFIRMATION

Registration for Best Friends™ Master Training is accomplished via the online Application Form. Master Trainer Certification is a multi-step process that begins with submission of your online application on or before the Registration Deadline of May 6, 2025. Once the application is submitted, you will be immediately redirected to the online pre-test, which confirms familiarity with core tenets of the Best Friends™ approach. Please be prepared to take the pretest when submitting your application (allow approximately 20–30 minutes to complete both steps). Because this is a master-level training, attendees are required to score 80% or above on the pre-test. If you have worked in a care setting following Best Friends practices or read The Best Friends Approach to Dementia Care or other Best Friends books, you should be comfortable with the topics on this pre-test.

Applicants who pass the pre-test will receive confirmation and an invoice for the registration fee. Payment is due within 10 days of invoice date or by the registration deadline, whichever comes first. Registration will not be complete until payment has been received. Your place at the Institute is not reserved until all steps of the registration are completed. All registrations will be confirmed by e-mail.

Early Bird and Other Discounted Rates

An Early Bird rate of $1,400.00 is available for any application received by 11:59 pm PST on April 1, 2025. Early Bird rates will become invalid if payment is not received by your invoiced payment deadline. You will be re-invoiced at the full Institute rate and your space at the Institute will not be guaranteed until payment is received in full.

A discounted rate of $ $1,487.50 is available for companies sending 3 or more attendees or who have existing Master Trainers.

Space is limited at Master Training Institutes. Apply early.

CANCELLATION POLICIES

Applicants registered for attendance who need to cancel on or before May 6, 2025 may do so but will remain responsible for 25% of the registration fee to cover costs associated with pre-test administration and materials preparation. Applicants who have submitted payment will be refunded 75% of the fee paid. Registrants who cancel after the cancellation deadline or are no-shows will be held responsible for the full amount of their registration fee.

Although no credits or refunds will be available after May 6, 2025 organizations may choose to send qualified substitutes, pending HPP approval and space permitting. Substitutes must:

1. Submit a completed application to HPP, and
2. Pass the qualifying pre-test, and
3. Receive approval from HPP for attendance at least 5 business days in advance of the Institute

Rescheduling to a Different Training Date

After the May 6 cancellation date, requests to be rescheduled for later training dates are admissible, space permitting. A rescheduling fee of $275.00 will be incurred.

SCHEDULE CHANGES

Health Professions Press reserves the right to substitute speakers and/or reschedule the Institute due to unforeseen circumstances. Advance notice will be provided to the extent possible.

You must complete all six training sessions of the Institute to qualify for Master Trainer certification. If you miss a training session due to unforeseeable circumstances, you must immediately contact bestfriends@healthpropress.com to avert falling behind in the training. Accommodations will be granted at the discretion of Health Professions Press and the program trainers.