Dementia Care Specialist

The Dementia Care Specialist provides, education, support and resources to those living with dementia or memory changes (undiagnosed) and their caregivers, friends, neighbors, and community.  Through home visits, office visits, in person and virtual support groups, training sessions and follow up meetings. The Dementia Care Specialist provides on-going support through the disease process, as needs and support will change over time. The Dementia Care Specialist also collaborates with community members and organizations to support those living with dementia and their caregivers to increase understanding and decrease stigma about dementia.  Community education is also provided through education and training related to dementia and pillars of health to decrease risks of developing dementia. Collaboration with community partners and coalition partners to increase education and support to caregivers and people living with dementia.  On-going training is provided to Aging and Disability Resources Center (ADRC) staff and Adult Protective Services (APS) staff to allow them to appropriately support consumers.  

 

Primary Responsibilities

Direct Support and Consultation:

• Provide education, support, and resources to individuals living with dementia or experiencing memory loss (including those not yet formally diagnosed), as well as their caregivers, families, neighbors, and friends.
• Deliver person-centered consultation through home visits, office visits, virtual meetings, and phone follow-up to address the changing needs of individuals and caregivers throughout the course of the disease.
• Facilitate in-person and virtual support groups for caregivers and individuals living with dementia to promote connection, reduce isolation, and enhance coping strategies.
• Serve as a trusted, ongoing contact for families and care partners to assist with navigating community resources and planning for long-term care and support.

Community Education and Outreach:

• Provide dementia-specific training and public education focused on reducing stigma, increasing understanding, and encouraging early identification and support.
• Promote awareness of brain health and dementia risk reduction through education on the pillars of healthy aging (e.g., physical activity, nutrition, social engagement, cognitive stimulation).
• Represent the ADRC at community events, trainings, and awareness campaigns to promote dementia-friendly practices and increase access to local support.

Collaboration and Capacity Building:

• Work in partnership with local organizations, healthcare providers, faith-based groups, businesses, and community coalitions to expand dementia-friendly initiatives and improve the quality of life for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.
• Collaborate with other Human Services units and programs (including Adult Protective Services) to strengthen internal knowledge and response strategies for serving individuals with cognitive impairment.
• Offer ongoing dementia training and consultation to ADRC, APS, and county staff to ensure agency-wide competency in dementia-informed service delivery.

Program Support and Evaluation:

• Maintain accurate and confidential documentation of consumer interactions, referrals, outreach efforts, and educational sessions in accordance with program and agency requirements.
• Monitor and report on outcomes related to education, support group attendance, caregiver satisfaction, and community engagement.
• Support quality improvement efforts and strategic planning to enhance the reach and effectiveness of dementia-related programming within the ADRC.

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, coalition work, and special projects that support the mission of the ADRC and Human Services Department.
• Performs other duties of a comparable level/type, as assigned.

 

Minimum Qualifications

 

• Bachelor’s degree in Health, Human Services, or a related field.  
• Minimum of one (1-2) years previous experience in Health or Human Services.

 

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid driver’s license or the ability to travel between work locations.
• Prior to hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

• Upon hire or within one year of hire, obtain and maintain Savvy Caregiver Certification, Memory Screen Trainer, Dementia Friendly Communities Trainer, Boost Your Brain & Memory, Motivational Interviewing Training obtain 

 

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES QUALIFICATIONS

In order to perform the duties of the Dementia Care Specialist position (listed above) the following knowledge, skills, and abilities are essential for Dementia Care Specialist to possess.

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, techniques and trends in social services.
• Thorough knowledge of local and state regulations, rules, policies and procedures; thorough knowledge of conducting assessments, making referrals and developing service plans.
• General knowledge of standard office equipment; general knowledge of standard office software.
• General knowledge of electronic case management and database systems.
• Ability to apply professional judgement, discretion and decision making.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, providers, program participants, outside agencies and other professionals.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with associates, supervisors, clients, court officials, attorneys, federal and state agencies, law enforcement, medical providers, community service providers.
• Ability to follow Dunn County policies and procedures including those pertaining to confidentiality.

• Ability to prioritize and organize job assignments.

• Ability to manage time effectively, manage multiple projects, and complete work within established deadlines.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position.

 

MINIMUM LANGUAGE SKILLS QUALIFICATIONS 

In order to perform the duties of the Dementia Care Specialist position (listed above) the following language skills are essential to possess. 

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with other staff members, supervisors, and the general public in written and verbal form. 

• English skills (oral, written and comprehension) sufficient to effectively communicate with all internal and external customers.

 

MINIMUM REASONING ABILITY QUALIFICATIONS

In order to perform the duties of the Dementia Care Specialist position (listed above) the following reasoning abilities are essential to possess.

• Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Must have ability to work accurately with attention to detail.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.

MINIMUM MATHEMATICAL ABILITY QUALIFICATIONS

In order to perform the duties of the Dementia Care Specialist position (listed above) the following mathematical skills are essential to possess.

• Ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
• Ability to compute rates, ratios and percentages.

 

In evaluating candidates for this position, Dunn County may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position.

 

Physical and Work Environment

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law.  Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor or Human Resources.  

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Continuous speaking, hearing and using hands dexterously; work frequently requires sitting.
• Work has standard vision requirements.

• Physical effort will occasionally to frequently require exertion of objects weighing up to 50 pounds depending on assigned work area.

• Work regularly to frequently requires standing, walking and reaching with hands and arms depending on assigned work area.
• Work infrequently to frequently requires kneeling, bending, stooping, crouching, crawling, and/or climbing depending on assigned work area.
• The physical and environmental hazards and risks associated with the job can be characterized as minimal.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT