Pathways to Dementia Care Training and Certification

Options for individuals and providers

High-quality dementia care training can lead to an improvement in communication between caregivers and individuals living with dementia, a reduction in dementia-related behaviors and an increase in job satisfaction for staff.

The Alzheimer’s Association offers flexible choices to implement quality care. Informed by leading dementia researchers and practitioners, our resources provide individuals and providers pathways to training and certification reflecting the Alzheimer’s Association Dementia Care Practice Recommendations.

How to choose the right training and certification option for you

Professional care providers

• Does your organization need a training program developed with the most current, evidence-based care practices?
  • Purchase the Alzheimer’s Association Person-Centered Dementia Care Training Program, which includes the essentiALZ® certification exam, or...
  • Learn about other recognized training programs that are eligible for essentiALZ.
• Do you have your own proprietary training program?
  • Purchase curriculum review to ensure that your organization’s proprietary training program reflects the most current, evidence-based information. essentiALZ exams must be purchased separately.
• Have you trained your staff with a recognized training program?
  • Purchase essentiALZ exams. With a passing exam score of 90% or higher, individual staff members will be certified in essentiALZ for two years.

Individual professional care workers

• Purchase the Alzheimer's Association Person-Centered Dementia Care Training Program, which includes the essentiALZ certification exam.