Memory Care Services Training
More Than a Requirement, It’s a New Way of Caring for Those with Dementia
At Fellowship Square, we believe exceptional memory care starts with exceptional training. That’s why, in partnership with Shelly Drews of Help My Senior, we’ve developed a specialized Memory Care Services Training Program. The Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) has officially approved the program under the state’s newly adopted dementia care training regulations.
However, this training is more than a checklist. It was created specifically for caregivers working in Memory Care and Directed Care communities. It transforms how care is understood, delivered, and felt.
Why Memory Care Services Training Matters
Dementia diagnoses are growing at a rapid rate, reshaping the senior care industry. And with millions more expected to be diagnosed in the years ahead, our response must rise to meet that need. This training bridges the gap between task-based caregiving and person-centered, emotionally intelligent care. It empowers caregivers to:
- Understand the brain changes behind behaviors
- Communicate with empathy and trauma-informed awareness
- Preserve the dignity and identity of every resident
- Prevent burnout and reduce unnecessary challenges
- Create a more peaceful, consistent environment for residents and staff
When caregivers are truly equipped with the knowledge, empathy, and real-world tools to support those living with dementia, everything changes. Residents feel safer, more understood, and emotionally supported. Caregivers feel more confident, less stressed, and more connected to their purpose.
Led by a National Dementia Care Expert
Shelly Drews, a nationally recognized dementia care educator with over 30 years of experience and credentials, including CDP, CADDCT, CMDCP, and more, developed this program. Her approach is insightful and led with compassion.
“This training is different because it’s rooted in love and backed by science,” says Drews. “We don’t just teach the facts, we empower caregivers to serve with compassion, emotional insight, and practical strategies that support dignity and connection. “And that’s where real outcomes live - in the moments when a resident smiles, a caregiver feels empowered, and a family finally feels hope.”
Meet the Instructors Behind the Mission
At its core, this training elevates how we care for and connect with individuals living with dementia. And it’s led by a passionate team that has 'walked the walk' in dementia care.
Alongside Shelly, Alicia Juarez, and Tawnya Christensen bring decades of experience, compassion, and leadership to every class. While each instructor brings a unique perspective, they share a common goal: to elevate the standard of dementia care through empathy, connection, and practical tools.
Alicia and Tawnya share the "why" that inspires their approach below.
Tawnya Christensen, Assisted Living Director, The Oasis at Fellowship Square Mesa
“My why is rooted in the words of Maya Angelou: ‘When we know better, we do better.’ My approach to training comes from a heart of empathy, mercy, and advocacy. By doing role plays, hands-on techniques, and tactile experiences to help the heart understand, that's when everything changes in how we think and approach. We all can benefit from putting ourselves in another person's shoes and learning compassion. I want to help others understand that EVERY MOMENT MATTERS!"
Alicia Juarez, Assisted Living Director, The Oasis at Fellowship Square Surprise
“Early in my journey, during a time when dementia care often relied on chemical or physical restraints, I experienced my first ‘AHA’ moment. It was then I realized that what people with dementia need most isn’t control, it’s compassion, patience, and individualized care. That moment became my ‘why,’ and it sparked a lifelong mission to help others discover their own 'AHA' moment; to see the value of personal connection and individualized approaches.”
Fellowship Square’s Ongoing Commitment to Memory Care Excellence
Fellowship Square is proud to be an early provider of an AZDHS-compliant training program designed to deliver both practical skills and compassionate care, raising the bar for memory care education.
“The new memory care training requirements enforce what we’ve already been doing,” says Rhonda Thiel, Vice President of Operations, Fellowship Square Surprise. “This course honors different learning styles and equips our teams to provide higher quality, loving care - because that’s the result we all want.”
Program Overview
The curriculum consists of 8 one-hour modules taught in person at two Fellowship Square senior living communities. By incorporating essential concepts like emotional intelligence and trauma-informed care, and using practical behavior response tools, we reduce unnecessary challenges, prevent burnout, and create a more peaceful, consistent environment for residents and staff.
Ready to Learn More?
This training is open to anyone! It is where confidence grows, understanding deepens, and caregivers learn to approach dementia care with heart and purpose.
Visit Help My Senior’s website for more information, including prices and dates, and to register for the training program.
Bonus: Fellowship Square employees receive a discounted rate for the training course, making it even more accessible to those already living out this mission in their daily lives.
