The Mission
About Us
The mission of Nancy Schier Anzelmo and the ACA’s Associates is to actively participate in developing programs for persons with dementia that are a genuine practice of person-centered care.
Philosophy
Long before the term was popularized and the conceptual framework formalized, Nancy was advocating and developing person-centered dementia care. She is convinced this approach offers those living with dementia opportunities to grow socially and spiritually and to enjoy enriched and satisfying lives.
ACA believes dementia-specific programs must meet the personalized needs of the individuals residing within the community, as well as taking into consideration the interests and talents of staff, residents, and their families.
“Perfect” Model
The “perfect model of care” is unfolding. Every new program or service for individuals living with dementia is an opportunity for education, enlightenment and improvement. The challenge is to translate a person-centered philosophy into action.
Essential Elements
Special assisted living or dementia programs should include the following key components:
- Leadership
- Person-centered care practices
- Person & Family Engagement
- Staff and family involvement and resources
- Community connections
- A Specialized therapeutic environment
- Dementia capable staff training
- Meaningful Activity and Recreation
- Continuous quality monitoring and improvement
Person Centered Care
Services
Nancy Schier Anzelmo has gained over 20 years of hands-on experience in development, planning, start-up, stabilization, marketing, operations, budgeting, programming and evaluation of assisted living and dementia care communities and programs.
Signature Dementia Care Programs
To separate and distinguish your dementia care programs from your competitors
Development Services
ACA’s crack team can provide expertise that will allow you to identify and respond to opportunities in the marketplace
Performance Evaluation / Assessment
An objective appraisal of your operations –- at any phase of its lifecycle — allows you to maintain the quality that is highly valued in the marketplace
Operations Consulting
Ongoing excellence requires ongoing attention, which is especially meaningful when provided by an objective third party
Training / Coaching / Mentoring
All of ACA’s training courses, even when taught by associates, are designed by Nancy and incorporate her knowledge and values.
CQI — Continuing Quality Improvement
To maintain the excellence of your program, ACA will continue working with our clients
Through ACA Nancy offers cutting-edge services to investors-developers, architects and designers, existing and start-up providers, proprietary companies and nonprofits, individual private facility owners and family owned and operated communities, multi-facility companies and national corporate entities.

Meet Us
Nancy Schier Anzelmo
Award-winning, highly regarded and nationally known gerontologist and Alzheimer’s/dementia care specialist, Nancy Schier Anzelmo is founder and principal of Alzheimer’s Care Associates LLC (ACA). In addition, she coordinates the California Program Forum of the California Alzheimer’s Association, and is a faculty member in the Gerontology Department of California State University, Sacramento.
She serves on the board of the California Assisted Living Association, and the California Culture Change. She is an active member in the following organizations: the American Society on Aging, Argentum, The Gerontological Society of America, the American Association of Gerontology in Higher Education, and the Pioneer Network, and the Dementia Action Alliance. She is the co founder of the Connected Horse a non profit organization focused on the research and implementation of equine guided interventions for all people affected by dementia.
Alzheimer’s Care Associates
Our Projects
While there are many organizations throughout the country focused on treating and curing dementia, there are only a few devoted primarily to the provision of care for persons affected by dementia.
The Connected Horse
In mid-2015, long-time friends, equestrians and residential dementia care specialists, Nancy Schier Anzelmo and Paula Hertel, began to wonder if they could combine their passion for horses with their knowledge of dementia to create programs to benefit those affected by cognitive disorders.
Dementia Action Alliance
In January 2012, the Alliance invited Nancy Schier Anzelmo, Founder and Principal of Alzheimer’s Care Associates (ACA), along with other highly regarded advocates in the field to Washington, D.C. to develop the group’s assessment of dementia care in our country. Nancy continues her involvement and active advocacy with DAA as a Partner.
Contact Us
We want to hear from you
Send us any questions or comments and we will get back to you ASAP.