Arizona Mandates Memory Care Training and We’re Leading the Way

Arizona is entering a new chapter in dementia care. As of July 1, 2025, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) requires licensed facilities to provide structured Memory Care Services (MCS) training for all staff who work with individuals living with dementia. From caregivers to supervisors, this mandate ensures consistent, evidence-based education that prioritizes dignity, safety, and respect. Leading this movement, Arizona Care Horizon Institute and Gentleway Systems are proud to be among the first licensed providers, setting a high standard for compliance and compassionate care.

A new era in memory care training

As of July 1, 2025, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) now requires licensed facilities to provide structured Memory Care Services (MCS) training for staff who work with individuals living with dementia. The mandate covers:

• Initial 8-hour training for all caregivers.

• 4-hour manager-level training for supervisory staff.

• 4-hour annual renewal for all direct care workers.

This is a landmark step for Arizona, ensuring that caregivers, supervisors, and administrators alike receive consistent, evidence-based education to provide safe, dignified, and effective care for those living with dementia.

Pioneers in compliance and care

I am proud to share that Arizona Care Horizon Institute (ACHI), led by Ms. Evelyn “Evie” Justimbaste, BSN RN, and myself, are among the very first providers licensed and authorized by ADHS to deliver these trainings.

Since July, we have successfully conducted multiple training sessions, each designed not only to meet ADHS requirements but to exceed them in quality, clarity, and learner support. Attendees frequently comment on how easy-to-understand, engaging, and inspiring the sessions are, many say they left enlightened, energized, and eager to recommend our trainings to others.

Beyond the classroom: Ongoing support

One of the unique strengths of our program is personalized follow-up support. We encourage participants to call, text, or email us directly with questions, and both Evie and I respond attentively. This hands-on approach ensures that the training doesn’t end in the classroom, learners feel supported as they apply their knowledge in real-world care.

Live vs. hybrid options

Currently, our full 8-hour live training remains the gold standard, offering immersive discussions, real-world scenarios, and skills practice that only experienced instructors can deliver.

At the same time, Gentleway Systems LLC is collaborating with ACHI to expand hybrid delivery:

• 6 hours online learning

• 2 hours in-person skills check

This option will launch soon, making training more accessible while still upholding the practical skill-building that caregivers need.

Who must be trained

The ADHS mandate applies to:

• Direct care workers in assisted living centers, homes, and facilities

• Supervisors and managers overseeing dementia care

• Staff providing hands-on care to persons living with dementia

But the reality is larger than the rule. Individuals living with dementia are not only in assisted living facilities, they are in hospitals, emergency rooms, long-term care facilities, and even community settings. Our mission is to extend this training across all healthcare environments so that every professional who encounters dementia care is prepared.

Voices of our learners

Here’s what some participants have shared:

• “This training opened my eyes. I finally understand why residents respond the way they do, and now I have tools that actually work.”

• “Evie and Cliff explained everything so clearly. I feel confident and supported. I’ve already told my coworkers they need this training.”

• “This is not just about compliance. It’s about respect and dignity. Every caregiver should have this.”

The road ahead

The new ADHS mandate is more than a regulation, it’s a call to action. By making training mandatory, Arizona is prioritizing dignity, safety, and respect for people living with dementia. At ACHI and Gentleway Systems, we are committed to making this vision a reality through training that is engaging, practical, and deeply human.

Whether in assisted living, hospitals, or community care, we believe every caregiver deserves the skills to ensure compassionate, high-quality dementia care.

About the authors

Clifford Cartagena, RN, BSN, is founder of Gentleway Systems LLC, co-founder of Arizona Care Horizon Institute, an American Heart Association BLS Instructor, and a former trainer of crisis prevention programs in state hospitals. He is currently completing the final year of his PMHNP degree at Walden University. Clifford is also the developer of Prevention and Management of Assaultive Behaviors – The Gentleway System and author of The Gentle Art of Crisis.

Evelyn “Evie” Justimbaste, BSN RN, is co-founder of the Arizona Care Horizon Institute and the owner of one of the most respected Home Health, Palliative, and Hospice companies in Arizona and California. With decades of nursing leadership and educator experience, she is committed to raising the standard of dementia care training statewide.

Learn more about our training here.