Memory Care Training

Hospice of the Valley wins state approval to train dementia caregivers

The Arizona Department of Health Services has appointed nonprofit Hospice of the Valley as a provider of memory care training for dementia caregivers.

New state regulations for assisted living facilities that offer memory care took effect on July 1, 2025. They mandate enhanced training for staff working with residents living with all types and stages of dementia and other cognitive impairments.

Hospice of the Valley’s professional training program is offered at no charge to the community. This vital education shares best practices in dementia care, utilizing engaging role-playing videos that depict real-life challenges that all caregivers encounter. Our dementia experts teach insightful communication techniques and demonstrate skilled approaches for managing difficult behaviors — strategies that improve quality of life, especially as the disease progresses to advanced stages.

Caregivers must now complete eight hours of initial training, which includes six hours of online video modules and a two-hour in-person session. Managers must complete an additional four hours of training, which includes online modules and a one-hour Zoom skills session. All modules will include NCIA credits.

They will also receive an additional four hours of continuing education each year.

“We’re honored to help raise the standard of care for people living with dementia in our communities,” says Dr. Gillian Hamilton, medical director of our Supportive Care for Dementia program. “Our goal is to support caregivers and ensure that every person with dementia feels safe, valued and well cared for.”

We’re excited to work together to make Arizona a leader in compassionate dementia care!

For more information on Hospice of the Valley’s free memory care services training, call (602) 767-8300 or email dementiacampus@hov.org.

Trainers

Maribeth Gallagher, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FAAN

Dementia Program Director

Dr. Maribeth Gallagher is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with a Doctoral degree in Nursing. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and serves as the director of the Dementia Program at Hospice of the Valley. Dr. Gallagher’s commitment to optimizing dementia care was initially inspired by her own experiences as a family caregiver, sharing the journey with her loved one with dementia from diagnosis to death.

Calli Carlson, OTR/L, CLT, CDP

Occupational Therapist

Calli Carlson is an occupational therapist experienced in management, education, clinical instruction, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, lymphedema management and dementia care. She performs home-safety evaluations, completes mobility assessments, instructs on appropriate exercise routines, identifies suitable activities for engagement and brainstorms strategies to foster independence in activities of daily living.

Sara Crance PhD(c), DNP, MSN, MBA, RN

Registered Nurse

Sara Crance is a registered nurse with Hospice of the Valley’s Dementia Team and a current DNP/PhD student at Arizona State University. Her research focuses on dementia-specific education for frontline healthcare workers and supportive care for individuals living alone with dementia. She is passionate about improving healthcare education and quality of life for people living with dementia.

Belinda Ordonez, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CHPN

Dementia Nurse Practitioner

Belinda Ordonez is a board-certified family nurse practitioner providing hospice and palliative care since 2000. Combining her love for geriatrics and dementia care, she enjoys helping families learn to live well with dementia, sharing best practices for maximizing comfort, finding joy and sparking connection at every stage of the condition.

Rebekah Wilson, MSW, CDP

Dementia Care Consultant

Rebekah Wilson has 22 years of experience in dementia care services, including hospice, home health care, assisted living and care management. As a dementia care consultant, she trains and collaborates with care partners to develop innovative strategies for providing comfort care and enhancing quality of life for people living with dementia and their families. She is the owner of Aging Care Coach, specializing in Alzheimer’s disease and all other forms of brain change.