The healthcare system appears to be failing those who are living with dementia, and the costs of this failure is significant. There is a lack of specialized knowledge and skills among caregivers and professional level staff, in spite of the fact that the aging population has such a significant number who are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Creating a dementia capable workforce has been a goal of many for years, because it has the potential to make an extraordinary positive impact. In this podcast we will explore the essential knowledge and skills of a dementia capable workforce and the many ways this workforce can have a positive impact, including reducing distress behaviors without drugs, optimizing function, quality of life, and health, and supporting loved ones.