Building a Dementia-Ready Workforce through Interprofessional Education in Northern Arizona

Dementia is a major problem in the U.S., affecting approximately 6.7 million people over the age of 65. Arizona has the highest projected increase in dementia in the U.S. (33% in the coming years), and Northern Arizona in particular has been characterized as a “memory care desert” with limited providers and resources to support individuals and families. Recently, Flagstaff was designated as a Dementia Friendly City. This designation recognizes our commitment to promoting dementia support, resources for families, and education for our region’s informal and formal dementia care workforce. Northern Arizona University’s Department of Social Work, Department of Psychological Sciences, and College of Nursing are leading a key component of our workforce development efforts through interprofessional education (IPE) of our students. Faculty from nursing, psychological sciences, and social work collaborated to design and facilitate the event, modeling the kind of inclusive, high-performing teams needed to address complex conditions such as dementia. Our pilot dementia IPE event took place in Spring 2025. Students participated in structured, small-group discussions centered on a fictional case study of “Jim,” a 72-year-old man navigating the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. This immersive narrative approach encouraged students to apply discipline-specific knowledge while developing empathy and cross-disciplinary communication skills. Post-event survey responses indicated high levels of learning across domains relevant to dementia care, including communication, interprofessional roles, and holistic assessment of biological, psychological, and social needs. Many students reported feeling more confident and prepared to support individuals with dementia as future members of the healthcare workforce. These outcomes suggest that IPE can play a meaningful role in shaping a dementia-competent, collaborative workforce capable of delivering compassionate, team-based care.