FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Northern Arizona University hosted its Interprofessional Development, Engagement, and Advancement (IDEA) Aging and Dementia Symposium on March 20th, 2026, bringing together students from a wide range of health and human service disciplines to better prepare them for working with older adults and families affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia related disorders.
The IDEA Symposium brought together students, community members, faculty, and professionals to explore how their work connects with diverse topics and populations. This year’s theme, “Aging and Dementia,” focused on deepening understanding of care for individuals experiencing Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related conditions. With over 200 attendees, the symposium aimed to broaden students’ understanding, knowledge, and practical skills across NAU academic units such as the School of Social work, Department of Psychological Sciences, College of Nursing, College of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Organizers from each discipline highlighted the value of professionals working together to meet the complex needs of aging populations.
The day began with a panel featuring community members living with dementia, caregivers, and professionals who shared their firsthand experiences. Their stories helped ground the conversation in real-life challenges and shed light on the emotional, social, and medical aspects of living with Alzheimer’s and related conditions for students in attendance.
Learning Across Disciplines
After the panel, students broke into small, interprofessional groups to dive deeper into learning. They worked through a case study and discussed guided questions designed to bring out each discipline’s unique perspective. Faculty members and local health and social service professionals with expertise in dementia care helped guide these conversations.
Throughout the symposium, students gained a clearer understanding of how to tell the difference between normal aging and early signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. They also explored the wide range of needs experienced by individuals living with dementia, including biological, psychological, social, nutritional, communication, and daily functioning, as well as the needs of their families.
Preparing Future Professionals
Teamwork was a central theme of the event. Students reflected on how their future professional roles connect with those in other health fields, focusing on shared values, ethical considerations, communication, and coordinated care. Organizers said this approach helped students strengthen their sense of professional identity while reinforcing the value of collaboration in providing quality care.
The central planning committee behind this event noted that the symposium supports Northern Arizona University’s broader efforts to prepare students for the workforce, especially in the growing field of aging and dementia care. The event also ties into ongoing work to create a dementia-friendly campus, part of a larger community initiative in Flagstaff, which has been recognized as a Dementia Friendly City.
