Build skills in identification, communication, care planning, and coordination. These resources support teams across primary care, specialty care, hospitals, EMS, and community organizations.
On‑Demand Modules
- Dementia-friendly communication and person-centered care
- Screening, brief assessment, and referral pathways
- Care planning, safety, and caregiver partnership
Community Service Providers and No Wrong Door Partners
DARS created these training modules to improve the dementia-capability of specific roles in Area Agencies on Aging. If you have a different role or are in another organization, please select the Options Counselors/Caregiver Support Specialist module. Each module is followed by a quiz. If you receive a passing score, you will receive a certificate via email.
- Options Counselors/Caregiver Support Specialists
- Information and Referral Specialists
- Care Transitions Coaches
Health Care Workers
- HRSA Dementia Training
- HRSA Training for Providers on Addressing Caregiver Needs
- CMS Hand in Hand: A Training Series for Nursing Homes You may view videos of the training here.
The Alzheimer’s Association maintains a list of training programs for health care workers.
Long-term Care Staff
- HRSA Dementia Training for Nursing Home Staff
- VCU Deepening Your Person-Centered Dementia Care Practice: A Learning and Relearning Journey
This free series of virtual learning opportunities started in August 2025 and will continue through 2028.
Advanced Certified Nursing Aide Program
Two Virginia-based organizations are continuing to lead an innovative initiative to address the health care workforce shortage by creating an opportunity for certified nurse aides (C.N.A.) to become leaders in the aging services field.
The Advanced CNA Grant was awarded to LeadingAge Virginia, the association of nonprofit providers of aging services, by the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) with funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) Reinvestment program.
The comprehensive educational program consists of classroom and clinical coursework developed by and executed in partnership with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). Students who complete the required coursework will be eligible to receive certification as Advanced Certified Nurse Aides, as provided by the Virginia Board of Nursing upon successful completion of the approved course through NOVA. Through the Advanced CNA grant, up to fifteen students employed by a CMS accredited Nursing Home facility are eligible to receive scholarships to complete the course.
Classes are scheduled to begin in February 2023 and conclude in April. Information about the course and scholarships can be found here.
First Responders
Training tailored for police, fire, EMS, behavioral crisis response, and search and rescue. Includes approaches that vary by dementia type and scenario-based practice.
- Alzheimer’s Association First Responder Training
- International Association of Chiefs of Police Alzheimer’s Initiative
Community Health Workers
Modules developed with public health partners to embed brain health and dementia capability across the lifespan.
Modules 12 (Brain Health Basics) and 13 (Working with Clients Living with Dementia) are free for Virginia residents.
Helpful Resources
- Best Practices
Core elements of dementia-capable care across settings. - Referral Pathways
Practical workflows and algorithms for care navigation. - Clinical Resources
Brief screens, assessment forms, and planning templates.
This program is managed by Dementia Capable Virginia.