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Maria College Partners on Global Program to Educate Religious Sisters in Dementia Care

With 57 million people worldwide living with dementia, a number expected to reach 78 million by 2030, Maria College has been chosen to train Catholic sisters in person-centered care through a global project led by The Anna Trust: Catholic Sisters’ Elder Care Fund.

Starting this August, the college will launch a non-credit certificate course to equip members of religious communities as trainers specializing in dementia care. Graduates will gain practical skills to support aging members of their congregations while teaching peers and lay partners best practices in supportive dementia care.

The course is supported by a grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, which funds projects that improve the lives of vulnerable populations, including elder members of religious orders.

“Religious sisters have touched countless lives around the world,” said Dr. Lynn Ortale, president of Maria College. “Through this partnership, we are living out our Mercy mission and paying our gratitude forward to the sisters for their lifelong ministries.”

Drawing on 67 years of experience in healthcare education, Maria College will develop and deliver the certificate curriculum in collaboration with Germantown, N.Y.-based Avila Institute of Gerontology, Inc. The course combines expert instruction, hands-on exercises, and teaching resources to prepare graduates to support aging sisters with cognitive challenges and train others across congregations worldwide.

“Through this training program, essential concepts of dementia care will be disseminated globally, enabling sisters to gain practical knowledge and a deeper understanding of dementia and optimal care practices,” said Director of the Avila Institute of Gerontology, Inc. Sister M. Peter Lillian Di Maria, O.Carm. “We are delighted to partner with Maria College to support the formation of dementia trainers through its non-credit certificate training program.”

For The Anna Trust Foundation, this initiative represents a tangible, mission-grounded approach to supporting aging religious sisters with neurological changes, promoting respect, dignity, and compassion.

“This effort reflects our commitment to compassionate Gospel care for those living with or affected by cognitive changes, empowering each person to live life to the fullest,” added Cognitive Impairment Program Director at The Anna Trust Foundation Sr. Siobhán O’Keeffe, SS.HJM.

“As an institution committed to the development of students who respect the dignity of all persons and serve with care and compassion, we are excited to be part of this work, which will have such a profound impact across the globe,” said Maria College Provost Dr. Wendy Trevor.