Recognizing the increasing need for specialized dementia care, the New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs is proud to announce the launch of its new Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) training program. This comprehensive initiative is designed to equip staff with advanced, practical skills to manage complex behaviors, reduce caregiver stress, and enhance the quality of life for residents living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. 
The program curriculum aligns with national certification standards established by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners and addresses critical gaps in dementia education. Key areas of focus include understanding dementia types, communication strategies, and person-centered care approaches. 
“Our homes at Menlo Park, Paramus, and Vineland provide care each day for residents experiencing memory loss,” said Rochelle Guglielmo, DVA Director of Veterans Healthcare Services. “Through a train the trainer model over the next four years, our end goal is 252 of our clinical team members across the three homes becoming Certified Dementia Practitioners. This will be a set of critical tools to add to the toolboxes of our healthcare heroes.
Today, New Jersey’s three veterans homes are independently ranked among the best long-term care facilities in the state. The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services awarded five out of five overall stars to each home as a result of positive findings from independent health inspections, staffing levels, and resident-level quality measures of clinical care. Funding to train Certified Dementia Practitioners is made possible by a $45,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Health.