The Growing Demand for Memory Care Nurses: Why a BSN Matters

The demand for memory care nurses is growing because more Americans are living with dementia, and the nursing workforce is still catching up. An estimated 7.4 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2026, and as the size of the population over 65 continues to grow, so will the number of people affected.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects about 180,800 openings for registered nurses each year from 2025 to 2035. Put those trends together, and you get the growing demand for memory care nurses: more people who need specialized care and a workforce that’s still expanding to meet the need. 

Below, we’ll walk through the numbers, what’s behind them, and what they could mean if you’re a nurse weighing a move into memory care. If you’re ready for the practical next steps, start with our guide on how to become a memory care nurse. 

What Do the Numbers Say About the Memory Care Nursing Shortage? 

The numbers show steady growth in demand for nurses, a large projected gap in long-term care staffing, and a fast-growing population living with dementia. Let’s take them one at a time.

For nursing as a whole, BLS projects registered nurse employment will grow 6% from 2025 to 2035. Many of the projected openings are expected to come from nurses who switch occupations or leave the workforce, such as to retire, so the demand reflects replacement as well as growth. BLS also expects the demand for healthcare services to rise because of the large number of older people, who typically have more medical problems than younger people. 

LTC News cited research that estimated that at least 3.4 million more workers would be needed to provide long-term care across the field by 2040. That number covers every long-term care role, from aides to nurses, so it isn’t a nursing-only figure. It does show how big the gap could get as the population ages.

Why Is the Need for Memory Care Nursing Growing? 

The need is growing because the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias keeps climbing, and the people caring for them at home carry a heavy load. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that one in three older Americans dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. It also projected that health and long-term care costs for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias would reach $409 billion in 2026, not including the value of unpaid caregiving.

Much of that unpaid care still falls to families. Nearly 13 million Americans provide unpaid care for a family member or friend with dementia, and the association notes that caregivers of people with dementia are more likely to report substantial emotional, financial, and physical difficulties.  

It’s reasonable to expect that this strain pushes more families toward professional support, whether through memory care communities, assisted living, or home-based care services.

How Is Memory Care Nursing Different from General Nursing? 

Memory care nursing is a specific focus: nurses caring for people living with memory loss or dementia. It isn’t a separate license. A memory care nurse is an RN or LPN/LVN whose practice centers on people with memory loss, and you’ll find them in settings that range from memory care communities and assisted living to home health and hospitals.

The day-to-day work blends clinical observation with person-centered communication, safety awareness, behavioral support, and coordination with families and the care team. Person-centered care and flexible care planning matter because a person’s needs change over time, and best practice reacts to these changes to continue to provide high-quality care. Evidence-based practice and nursing skills also improve quality of care.  

What Does This Mean for Nurses Considering Memory Care?

For many nurses, the growing demand means the specialty offers strong job prospects because the need is tied to long-term demographic trends rather than a short-term spike. BLS projects RN jobs will keep growing across most healthcare settings and notes that because many older people prefer to be treated at home, RNs will likely stay in demand in home healthcare. Since memory care touches so many settings, memory care nurses have options for where to start. 

Credentials can also help. BLS notes that nurses can become certified through professional associations in specific areas, including gerontology. Certification is usually voluntary, but some employers require it. Continuing nursing education in dementia and aging can show employers you’ve built skills beyond the basics.

Your degree matters too. A bachelor’s or higher degree is often necessary for administrative positions, and management-level nursing roles increasingly call for a graduate degree. If you’re eyeing a memory care coordinator or director role, a BSN program or graduate degree program can be part of that path. Some memory care coordinator and director roles include leadership responsibilities like staff training, family communication, care-needs coordination, quality checks, and compliance. 

It’s worth being realistic, too. The pay data shows that nursing and residential care facilities may pay less than hospitals, and memory care work can be emotionally demanding. Talking with nurses already working in the specialty, or shadowing a shift, can help you decide whether the day-to-day fits your life.

How Can WGU Support Nurses Moving into Memory Care? 

WGU’s Leavitt School of Health offers three paths that fit different starting points: focused certificates, a bachelor’s degree for RNs, and a master’s degree for nurses moving toward leadership.

The Veterans’ Memory and Dementia Care Certificate is designed for healthcare professionals who support aging veterans. It combines dementia-focused skills with veteran-focused training, including how military experience can shape dementia presentation and how to use trauma-informed communication. The certificate is self-directed, and its courses are transferable to WGU degree programs if you decide to keep going.  

In addition, the Community-Based Memory and Dementia Care Certificate and Inpatient Memory and Dementia Care Certificate are targeted to hospitals and organizations looking to upskill their current employees. 

If you’re an RN with an associate degree, WGU’s RN-to-BSN program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and our evidence-based curriculum is developed according to the AACN Essentials. 

If your goal is a leadership role, the M.S. Nursing–Leadership and Management program (BSN to MSN) is built for RNs who already hold a BSN. Don’t have your BSN yet? The RN-to-MSN program includes the BSN component. The leadership and management specialty covers topics such as leadership theories, strategic planning, and financial and HR management.

Not a nurse yet but part of a care team? WGU’s nursing and healthcare offerings also include a B.S. in Health and Human Services. 

How Can You Build Expertise in a Growing Specialty?

Start with the credential that matches where you are now, whether that’s a certificate, a BSN, or a graduate degree. The demand described above is tied to an aging population, not a passing trend, and specialized preparation can set you apart. No credential closes a workforce gap by itself, but it can strengthen your own path. 

Ready to take a first step? Explore the Veterans’ Memory and Dementia Care Certificate. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Memory Care