Valley families now have a lower-cost option for help with caring for a loved one with dementia (photo courtesy of Dementia Care and Education Campus).
A new program is bringing together Arizona State University students and Hospice of the Valley to provide support to families caring for a person with dementia at home or in a facility.
RISE — Respite In Student Engagement is a unique partnership between ASU and Hospice of the Valley’s Supportive Care for Dementia program. RISE connects students with families enrolled in the Supportive Care for Dementia program to provide affordable respite for caregivers and meaningful engagement for the person living with dementia in their home or in a facility.
The rate is $20 per hour and families pay the student directly. RISE students are not employees or contractors for ASU or Hospice of the Valley. All students are background checked, and ASU students who join RISE receive evidence-based dementia training from the Dementia Care and Education Campus in Phoenix.
A RISE Coordinator will match students with a family for an initial phone interview. Visits are scheduled by mutual agreement to best accommodate schedules. Students provide companionship and emotional support. The program does not include personal hygiene or giving medications.
To learn more about enrolling a family member in Supportive Care for Dementia, call 602-767-8300.. Learn more about Hospice of the Valley’s dementia care program at https://dementiacampus.org.
Editor’s note: This article was edited September 22, 2025, to reflect that the RISE program is currently only offered to families enrolled in the Supportive Care for Dementia program, and to provide Dementia Care and Education Campus contact information.
