Course Overview
Dates: Dublin starting September 18th, Cork starting October 9th & Galway starting October 16th.
The Sonas Programme is our flagship training course and is widely regarded as Ireland’s leading therapeutic activity for people living with mid to late-stage dementia. It is a structured, three-day training course that combines theory and practice. Graduates of the programme are licensed to act as Sonas practitioners.
The programme covers Individual Multisensory Sessions (SIMS), Relaxing Individual Sessions, and Group Sessions and emphasises engagement through sensory stimulation, gentle physical exercise, and music, supporting practitioners to create a calming and interactive environment.
By the end of the course, participants will not only be licensed to deliver Sonas sessions but will also possess a deeper understanding of how to measure their impact, individualise their approach, and support people with dementia in living more connected, dignified, and fulfilling lives.
22.5 hours CPD accredited training for nurses approved by the NMBI (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland)
About the Topic
The Sonas Programme is Ireland’s leading therapeutic activity for people living with late-stage dementia. It was developed in Ireland in 1990 by Sr. Mary Threadgold, a Speech and Language Therapist, as a way to meaningfully engage people with moderate to severe dementia who have limited verbal communication. “Sonas” is the Irish word for “happiness” or “well-being,” reflecting the programme’s aim to enhance quality of life.
The method uses structured, multi-sensory stimulation—incorporating sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, movement, and reminiscence—to create enjoyable and purposeful interactions. Each session follows a consistent format to promote security and recognition, while also encouraging communication, participation, and connection.
Sonas is delivered as group and/or individual sessions and taps into retained skills, abilities and memories. It combines music, sensory stimulation and memory focused exercises to offset problems with processing, language and social interaction
Over time, the programme has been adopted across care homes, day centres, hospitals, and community settings in Ireland and abroad. Research has shown it can improve mood, communication, and engagement in people with advanced dementia, making it a recognised therapeutic approach in dementia care. It is continually updated to maintain relevance and evidence-based tools are used to evaluate the programme and measure impact over time.
The Programme is currently used by nursing and care home staff in Ireland, the U.K. and Norway, and is being rolled out in Finland.
Those wishing to deliver the Sonas Programme need to Complete the Sonas Programme Training Course.
The Sonas Programme Training Course involves both online and face to face training, as well as work-based learning. Completion of the course earns the learner a Sonas Programme Licenced Practitioner Certification, which is then renewed every 2 years through attendance at a refresher course.
Intended Audience
Who is it for?
This course is suitable for:
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Healthcare professionals, nursing home staff, care home staff and those working in day centres, or hospitals.
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Activity coordinators and facilitators supporting people with mid to late-stage dementia.
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Carers and volunteers who wish to deliver structured, therapeutic activities.
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Managers and educators seeking to integrate evidence-based engagement tools into their care practice.
No prior Sonas experience required — all materials, guidance, and support are provided.
Your Learning Journey
Learning Objectives
- Identify and describe the different types of dementia.
- Explain the role of emotions and sensory input in effective communication.
- Apply a range of communication strategies to engage people living with dementia.
- Deliver both the Sonas Individual Multi-sensory (SIMS) and the Relaxing Individual Session with confidence.
- Facilitate and evaluate all three types of Sonas Sessions in practice.
- Use a variety of evaluation tools to measure impact and adapt the programme to individual needs.
- Conduct an information session in their workplace to introduce colleagues to the Sonas Programme.
- Join a nationwide network of licensed Sonas Programme practitioners, equipped to deliver the therapeutic activity in group settings.
Evidence-Based Practice
Evidence & Research
Read More
The Sonas Programme is supported by strong evidence of its effectiveness, with practical tools to help you evaluate its impact on those in your care.
Sonas Group, Sonas Individual Multisensory (SIMS) and Relaxing Individual Sessions have been designed to facilitate engagement and enjoyment for people with dementia.
Dr Benedicte Sørensen Strøm carried out a major study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Sonas Group Session. The study involved four nursing homes in Ireland. Her study showed that people who participated in Sonas Group Sessions showed improvements in their communication abilities over time. The study found that Sonas Group Sessions were especially beneficial for people with later dementia. The research also tested an evaluation tool that had been devised to measure the benefits of participation in Sonas Group Sessions. The new tool was called The Threadgold Communication Tool (TCT).
A copy of this tool can be downloaded here: Threadgold Communication Tool
Threadgold Communication Tool (TCT)
The Threadgold Communication Tool (TCT) is based on the evaluation method devised by Sonas Programme founder Mary Threadgold RSC. The TCT is especially useful for people with moderate to severe dementia as most other communication tools are based on verbal skills. A person with later dementia often has lost their verbal communication abilities. While they may still be able to say words, those words can be in jumbled sentences or phrases that are repeated over and over again. It can be difficult for the listener to understand what the person is saying, and a stressful experience for both. However, even when a person has no words at all, they can still communicate non-verbally. Eye contact, laughter, gestures, facial expressions, responsiveness to scents and tapping to the beat of a song can all be signs of positive communication. The Threadgold Communication Tool was formalised and validated as part of a major research project that examined the effectiveness of the Sonas programme.
An evaluation of the TCT can be found here: TCT Evaluation
Sensory Stimulation for People with Dementia: Literature Review
Stimulation of the senses is often used with people with dementia. Some approaches use stimulating of a few senses. Others, such as the Sonas Programme, stimulate all five senses. This article provides an overview of the sensory stimulation interventions that are available for people with dementia, and a review of the research in this area.
Effect of the Sonas Programme on Communication in People with Dementia: A Randomised Controlled Trial
This research project explored the effect of participation in Sonas Group Sessions on the communication abilities of people with moderate to severe dementia. Read the full research article here: Click here for article
Impact of the Sonas Programme on Communication over a Period of 24 Weeks in People with Moderate-to-Severe Dementia
This research examined how communication abilities changed over time among nursing home residents with moderate-to-severe dementia who were attending the Sonas programme and to explore whether changes in communication abilities were related to cognitive ability. Click here to read the full study
Effects of the Sonas Program on Anxiety and Depression in Nursing Home Residents with Dementia: A 6-Month Randomized Controlled Trial
This study explored the potential effect of the sonas Programme on nursing home residents with anxiety and depression. Click here to ready the full study.
Delivery Format
2 Days in person & 1 Day online. Can be delivered inhouse on request.
Certification / Accreditation
Those who complete the course will receive a Sonas Programme Licensed Practitioner Certification which will need to be renewed every 2 years. 22.5 hours CPD accredited training for nurses approved by the NMBI (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland)
About the tutor
Sonas Training Team
Our Sonas tutors bring extensive experience in dementia care, therapeutic activity design, and practitioner development. Each tutor is an expert in the Sonas approach and skilled at making the learning experience practical, interactive, and directly applicable to care environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Sonas mean?
The word “Sonas” comes from the Irish for “well-being, joy, contentment,” while “aPc” stands for “activating Potential for Communication.”
What are the benefits of participating in Sonas sessions for a PLWD?
Some of the reported benefits for people living with dementia (PLWD) include:
- Improved communication (verbal and non-verbal) and social interaction.
- Enhanced mood, wellbeing, and relaxation.
- Reduced feelings of isolation, confusion, stress or anxiety, especially for people who struggle with language or social interaction.
- A sense of dignity, respect, belonging and connection — the programme is person-centred, focusing on retained abilities rather than disabilities.
Where are Sonas sessions usually held?
Typically in nursing homes and day-centres. But individual sessions (SIMS or relaxing sessions) can also be done in a residential setting or a family home.
Who can deliver Sonas sessions?
Sessions must be delivered by a certified practitioner — a Sonas Programme Licensed Practitioner (SPLP). This ensures sessions meet quality and safety standards, and are delivered in a way that respects dignity, person-centred care, and best practices.
Can family members or relatives request Sonas sessions for their loved ones?
Yes — the programme is often implemented in nursing homes and day centres, but individual sessions can also take place in a family home. If you have a family member residing in a nursing home or using day-centre services, you can ask whether the facility offers Sonas sessions and whether there is a trained SPLP.
What makes Sonas different from general recreational or standard activity programmes?
Unlike typical recreational activities, Sonas is:
- Structured, repeatable, and designed specifically for people with dementia; sessions follow a defined format.
- Multi-sensory and communication-focused — using all five senses and emphasising non-verbal communication and engagement, not just verbal or cognitive tasks.
- Person-centred — practitioners tailor sessions to each person’s history, preferences and remaining abilities.
- Delivered by trained, certified practitioners (SPLPs), ensuring consistency, quality, and safety.
- Evaluated — using validated tools (like TCT) to monitor impact over time, helping care providers understand whether it’s working for each participant.
Who can participate / when is the programme most appropriate?
The programme is most suited to people living with moderate to later-stage dementia — including those with significant communication difficulties. It can benefit residents in care homes, day-centres, or community settings. Because there are both group and individual sessions, the programme can be adapted to people’s needs, comfort levels, and stage of dementia.
Why do practitioners have to use the official Sonas Kit? Can sessions be delivered without it?
The Sonas Kit is essential because the programme is structured, sequenced and standardised. The audio tracks, laminated materials, session outlines and evaluation tools form the core of each session. Delivering Sonas without the kit would mean the session is not a Sonas Programme session and would not meet licensing, quality or safety standards. For this reason, all certified Sonas practitioners are required to use the official kit.
How many participants should be in a Sonas Group Session?
Research and practice have shown that the Sonas Group Session works best a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 participants, and must include one helper in addition to the certified Sonas practitioner. This group size is evidence-based and ensures that each participant can enjoy the session, be meaningfully engaged, and receive individual attention.
Book Now
Take the Next Step in Dementia Care Training
Join our dementia care training courses and gain practical, evidence-based tools you can apply right away. Limited spaces available — reserve your place today and make a meaningful impact in care and connection. If you have any queries about any course, email admin@engagingdementia.ie or call +353 1 260 8138.
Price range: €525.00 through €625.00
