The Challenge
With an aging population and increasing rates of dementia, Texas Christian University’s Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences recognized the need to prepare future healthcare professionals with not only clinical skills but also a deep understanding and empathy for those living with dementia. Traditional lecture-based education was not sufficient to fully equip students to meet this growing challenge.
The Solution
To address this challenge, TCU integrated the Dementia Live® simulation into its student training programs. Led by Dr. Michelle Kimzey, the simulation was introduced to sophomore nursing students and later expanded to include students from speech pathology, social work, pre-med, OT/PT, and even high school nurse campers. Dr. Kimzey explained, "Preparing our healthcare professionals to work with the aging population must include quality dementia training. We've found the gold standard with Dementia Live®." An anonymous nursing student shared, "DL truly made me want to take this course last semester, and I am so glad I was able to. I want to learn as much as I can about dementia, those living with dementia, as well as learn how to educate others. There is still such a massive stigma about dementia. I want to be able to serve as an educator and advocate for dementia." The hands-on, immersive experience allowed students to emotionally connect with the realities of living with dementia, creating powerful “A-HA” moments that significantly influenced their perspectives and future practices.
The Results
The impact of the Dementia Live® simulation has been striking. Dr. Kimzey’s research has shown significant increases in dementia knowledge, empathy, and positive attitudes among students, while also reducing stigma. The program has trained 203 sophomore nursing students and an additional 192 students across other disciplines. One nursing student shared a personal testament, "My grandmother had been recently diagnosed with dementia prior to my experience in the simulation and I now have a greater understanding of the importance of compassion and kindness with those who live with this disease... After the simulation and now after each class meeting, I call my mom to tell her about everything I learned in the class, which helps her when she is on the phone or visits with my grandmother." Students frequently cite the simulation as their most memorable and transformational experience, leading to increased interest in dementia advocacy, more compassionate caregiving, and better family support. In summary, TCU’s innovative use of Dementia Live® has not only better prepared students for their professional roles but also cultivated a more dementia-informed and empathetic society.
