MSU to Offer Free Healthcare Training While Addressing Growing Dementia Care Needs

EAST LANSING, Mich. — As Michigan faces increasing demand for healthcare workers and dementia care services, a new summer training opportunity is giving students a chance to gain real-world experience while exploring future careers in healthcare.

IMPART Alliance at Michigan State University is offering a free, live online Direct Care Worker Training program for students ages 16-26 interested in medicine, nursing, psychology, social work, rehabilitation, public health, and related fields.

Participants will receive 14 hours of instructor-led training July 6-10, including specialized education in dementia care. Students who complete the program will also receive a $50 gift card.

The program comes at a critical time. Michigan’s aging population continues to drive increased demand for workers trained to support individuals living with dementia and other complex health conditions. Yet many young people interested in health care careers have limited opportunities to gain meaningful exposure to patient care before entering college, graduate school, or professional training programs.

“Many students know they want to help people through a career in healthcare, but they often have few opportunities to gain hands-on knowledge of what that work actually looks like,” said Clare Luz, Ph.D., Director of IMPART Alliance. “This program provides an accessible entry point to develop caregiving skills, learn about dementia, and better understand the human side of healthcare.”

Direct care workers provide support to older adults individuals and people with disabilities, mental health conditions, dementia, and other health needs. The role helps students develop communication, empathy, problem-solving, and patient support skills that are valuable across nearly every health profession.

In addition to introducing students to potential career pathways, the training addresses a growing public health need. More than 200,000 Michiganders are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, and that number is expected to rise significantly in the coming decades, increasing the need for a workforce prepared to support individuals and families affected by dementia.

The specialized dementia education component is provided by the Dementia and Healthy Brain Unit of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

Students who participate will learn practical caregiving strategies, effective communication techniques, and approaches for supporting individuals living with cognitive and behavioral health challenges.

Program Details:

• Free online training
• 14 total training hours
• Live instruction (not pre-recorded)
• July 6-10
• Open to students ages 16-26
• Includes specialized dementia care training
• $50 gift card upon completion

Students, parents, educators, school counselors, and community organizations are encouraged to share this opportunity with individuals interested in health care careers.