Dementia doesn’t happen in a classroom, it happens in real life. That’s why students from Samford University’s nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy and social work programs came together for the Dementia Awareness for Sensitive Healthcare (DASH) event. Through hands-on experiences, simulation and Interprofessional Education (IPE) collaboration, they gained practical skills to better understand and support older adults living with dementia.

The two-day program, led by Kristen Johnston, DNP, associate professor in Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing, and Patricia Jumbo-Lucioni, PhD, associate professor in McWhorter School of Pharmacy, was designed to give students a clearer picture of what dementia care looks like in practice.

“While working in interprofessional teams, students spent time with adults living with dementia, gaining firsthand experience in navigating both the joys and challenges of the condition,” Johnston said. “Shared activities such as balloon volleyball, painting, singing hymns and eating together created meaningful moments of connection and laughter.”

She said these experiences helped students grow in compassion and understanding, learning to see each person beyond the diagnosis.

During the DASH event, students participated in a virtual dementia tour which allowed them to engage in hands-on activities at an assisted living facility and emphasizing collaborative learning across disciplines. By the end of the program, they not only earned training certification and interprofessional education (IPE) credit from Samford’s College of Health Sciences, they gained the empathy and perspective needed to provide dementia-sensitive care with dignity and compassion.

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