Our Mission is to enable those living with dementia, their loved ones, and care partners to thrive!
About Dementia Care Specialists
Dementia Care Specialists (DCS) was founded in 1998 by Kim Warchol, an occupational therapist specializing in aging and dementia care. Kim had a vision of making the world a better place for those living with dementia and their loved ones by helping to create a confident and competent workforce and preparing the organizations with the processes, systems and tools needed to provide person-centered, abilities focused dementia care.
Kim and her team joined the Crisis Prevention Institute in 2009 and we are proud to be a division of the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI). Worldwide, CPI has hundreds of employees, over 40,000 CPI Certified Instructors, and 15 million CPI trained professionals.
Our highly experienced and passionate DCS training and consulting team is made up of health care professionals, many from the field of occupational therapy, who have expertise in person-centered care, dementia care, de-escalation, and aging. We are excited to partner with you to develop the confidence and competence to provide quality assessment, treatment, and care to those living with dementia.
Meet Our Clinical Team
Kim Warchol
OTR/L, DCS Founder and President
As founder & president of Dementia Care Specialists, Kim leads her team with passion, vision, and commitment. With more than 30 years of experience as an occupational therapist, Kim is an expert in including the Allen Cognitive Disabilities Model. Kim is a highly regarded speaker, writer, and advisor. She continues to be a national advocate for creating a Dementia Capable Society by building a specialized workforce. Kim is passionate about making the world a better place for those living with dementia, and for their loved ones. Her goal is to stop “the suffering” associated with dementia and to support their loved ones along the journey. In her free time Kim enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring and engaging in nature. She is super excited to be a Turtle Patrol volunteer.
Sharon Host
OTR/L, Senior Consultant, Implementation Specialist, & Global Professional Trainer
Sharon earned her BS degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She began her journey using the Allen Cognitive Disabilities Model in 1999 and completed the Dementia Therapy Master Clinician Program in 2009. Sharon is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), an Eden Alternative Associate, and has over 10 years’ experience with DCS at CPI. Sharon is passionate about helping others understand that persons with dementia can still create, contribute to and care about life. Sharon enjoys traveling in country and overseas, spending time with friends and family, her book club, and the creative hobbies of gardening, cooking, and sewing.
Sharon Jackson
OTA/L , Senior Consultant, Implementation Specialist, & Global Professional Trainer
With a degree in occupational therapy assistant technology, Sharon has worked with elders in long-term care settings since 1998, including holding a position as a memory care program manager. Sharon was a two-term president of the Allen Cognitive Network and has served on the board and committees since 2007. Sharon is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) and has over 10 years’ experience with DCS at CPI. She is a driven and supportive leader who is energized by seeing partners grow in their knowledge and skills to help individuals living with dementia to thrive. Sharon’s passion for serving elders grew from having learned so much from all four of her grandparents throughout her life. Sharon enjoys traveling and learning about the locations culture and history, as well as exploring nature in a zip-line, kayak, or even in an underwater scooter. Her favorite travel companions include her husband and 2 sons, as well as any family and friends she can convince to join them on the next adventure!
Meet Our Account Managers
In addition to our extensive customer care team at CPI, you also have access to our dedicated Dementia Care Specialists account managers. These experts are here to answer your questions, provide guidance, and to help you to meet your goals.
Kris Palazzi
Account Manager
Kris holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in operations management. Her experience and expertise have helped many organizations successfully onboard the training, products and consultation services needed in order to provide person centered care to their communities. Kris provides vital support to our Certified Instructor and our customers. What Kris likes most about her job is when she gets to talk with customers and learn about how they are implementing our training and the positive impact it is having on those they serve. In her personal time Kris enjoys cooking, reading, biking, and spending time with friends and family.
Barb Palma
Account Manager
Barb has over 30 years in sales an account managing experience which she has brought to this team. She is passionate about helping organizations gain the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their goals. She enjoys partnering with organizations to learn where their gaps may be and how we can best support them to provide person centered ability-based care to their communities. Barb is always excited to provide support to our customers through her role. In her free time Barb enjoys traveling, camping, cooking, crafting, gathering with friends, and going to the theater and museums.