Just Enough Support: Adaptive Caregiving in Dementia Care
Lunchtime Sessions 1
17 November, 2026 1:20 – 2:05 pmElectronic Posters
Andy Baker is a Behaviour Specialist, author, trainer and Managing Director of Able Training Support Ltd (the external training organisation of the Alzheimer’s society and partnered with Dementia Forward). He has over 20 years’ experience supporting care, education and workplace teams to better understand behaviour, distress, communication and human connection. Andy is the author of The Adaptive Caregiver Model, which reached Amazon number one category ranking shortly after publication, and Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge. He also hosts the Able to Care podcast, sharing conversations with carers, professionals and people with lived experience across care, education, dementia and safeguarding.
Meghan is the lead trainer for Able Training and the lead external trainer for the Alzheimer’s Society as well as co-author of the Adaptive Caregiver Model . Original coming from a care and music therapy background Meghan wanted to help more people to better understand those she cared for and improve care practice and so started working with Andy after she attending a training session he was delivering on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society.
Andy Baker
Behaviour specialist, author, speaker, trainer and podcast host
Able Training Support Ltd
Meghan Earle
Able Training Support Ltd
Meghan is the lead trainer for Able Training and the lead external trainer for the Alzheimer’s Society as well as co-author of the Adaptive Caregiver Model . Original coming from a care and music therapy background Meghan wanted to help more people to better understand those she cared for and improve care practice and so started working with Andy after she attending a training session he was delivering on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society.
Summary
The Adaptive Caregiver Model is a developing dementia-care framework that helps caregivers ask: “What does this person need from me now?” Early delivery to predominantly care home staff has received strong feedback, but has also revealed a key learning point: caregivers can become highly focused on responding to distress once it appears, while missing earlier opportunities to preserve independence, reduce overwhelm and adapt support.
This 30-minute interactive workshop introduces the four ACM roles – Guide, Navigator, Storyteller and Companion – through the metaphor of a changing journey. Delegates will then experience two practical exercises: a picture-and-drawing activity exploring how helping can become taking over, and a paper-aeroplane activity exploring cognitive load, distraction and one-step support. The session links these exercises to everyday dementia care, showing how “just enough support” can protect dignity, independence and wellbeing.