This partnership allows the Alzheimer’s Association’s professional courses to be delivered throughout Ivy Tech’s statewide campus system.  Courses were developed by the Alzheimer’s Association and experts throughout Indiana in response to training deficits.   The courses provide realistic best practices to provide quality dementia care.

Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s second largest public post-secondary institution with more than 73,000 students enrolled.  It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana.  It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

To earn the DPC, health care professionals must have a total of 40 hours of course work from courses offered through the Alzheimer’s Association and Ivy Tech only.  This includes five core courses that are four hours each:  Understanding Dementia, Effective Communication, Problem Solving Challenging Behaviors, Activities of Daily Living, and Physical Health and Safety.

In addition to the core courses, twenty hours of electives must be met.  Elective courses include four and eight hour courses such as Fundamentals of Dementia Care, Managing Activities, Directing an Alzheimer’s/Special Care Unit, Strategies for Better Care Environments, and Training Staff on Dementia Care.  Other courses from the Alzheimer’s Association and Ivy Tech may be added to this list and will be noted in promotional materials.

Courses taken between August 2004 and December 31, 2006 will be grandfathered in and count towards these requirements.  However, a form must be completed and submitted to the Alzheimer’s Association for approval.  Information on this process is available by calling Linda Altmeyer at (317) 575-9620.

Once all coursework is completed and approved, the DPC candidate must take a proctored exam at an approved test site.  The exam includes 100 multiple choice questions based on competencies in the core courses.  The exam will be launched in August 2007.

The yearly recertification requirements include at least four hours of dementia specific course work offered by the Alzheimer’s Association or Ivy Tech only.  Approved courses will be noted in course promotional materials.  In addition, a form will need to be completed and submitted.

For a copy of the DPC brochure or schedule of classes, contact Heather Higgs, Executive Director, Workforce and Economic Development, at (317) 921-4518 or hhiggs@ivytech.edu,  Arriane Smith at (317) 921-4988 or visit www.ivytech.edu/actnow/dementia.

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