Who We Are

Vision

Creating strong, compassionate Dementia Care Leaders from across the country who focus on development, knowledge, practice and networking.

Being a Dementia Leader and staying abreast of changes in dementia care is crucial as the baby boomer generation continues to age. With the “graying of America,” an unprecedented number of people are experiencing memory loss and new diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease are made daily.

A special set of skills is required for leaders of these individuals. Today’s best practices emphasize person-centered, ability-focused care that is based on getting to know each person and understanding his or her specific self-direction.

That’s why LeadingAge Illinois and the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center are once again offering this comprehensive educational series. The program is designed to teach the specialized skills and competencies needed to provide exceptional dementia services.

Join my fellow faculty and me for this unique, interactive dementia course and ongoing network which, not only offers presentations from leading experts in the field, but also explores what it means to be a leader.
Susan Frick, MSW, LSW
Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center

Mission

The Dementia Leadership Course is an interactive experience for anyone working throughout the continuum of dementia care with group discussions, various exercises and hand-on learning.

• Directors of Alzheimer’s Special Care Units and Memory Care Programs
• Staff Educators
• Nurse Managers
• Therapists
• Adult Day Care Staff
• Memory Cafe Staff
• Social Workers
• Life Enrichment Directors
• Activity Directors
• Chaplains
• Certified Nursing Assistants
• Administrators
• Managers

The Dementia Leadership Network is an online portal for anyone who has completed the course. It provides resources, training material, and a forum for staying connected to other Dementia Leaders.

Join the growing network of those who are leaders in their organization.

Supporting Organizations

LeadingAge Illinois is one of the largest and most respected associations of providers serving older adults in Illinois. Committed to advancing excellence, we advocate for quality services, promote innovative practices, and foster collaboration. We serve the full spectrum of providers including home and community based services (HCBS), senior housing, life plan communities (LPC)/continuing care retirement communities (CCRC), assisted living, supportive living, and skilled nursing/rehabilitation centers.

The Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center is one of 32 Alzheimer’s centers in the U.S. designated and funded by the National Institute on Aging. Investigators at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center focus on four main areas of research—risk factors, neurological basis of the disease, and improving diagnosis and treatment. The mission of the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center is three-fold – research, education and family care.

The Without Warning Program inspired by someone with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease, was started by the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center in April of 2004 to support and empower individuals and their families who face Alzheimer’s disease early in life. Directed by an Advisory Council, of both people with Alzheimer’s disease and their family members, Without Warning’s specifically tailored programs offer opportunities for education, support, and community.  With the knowledge that others are on this same journey, we hope individuals and their family members find purpose, dignity, and the opportunity to live each day with meaning and grace. 

Over the years, Without Warning has worked to educate others about dementia through public speaking, their documentary Too Soon to Forget: The Journey of Those Living with Younger Onset Alzheimer's Disease, and the creation of the The Toolkit Project, a resource for Dementia Support Group Leaders.