Log in

2021 Achievements

Important dates:

  • May 6 – Date of Incorporation as a Michigan Nonprofit Corporation
  • May 12 – First board meeting and election of officers
  • July 15 – Launch/Announcement
  • August 21 -IRS approval of 501(c) 3 tax-exempt status
  • October 12 - Featured in Wall Street Journal
  • November 10 – Notified of 2022 grant award to develop training and support the development of 4 new Dementia Minds groups in Michigan

Developed two new Dementia Minds groups:

  • Recruited 6 new volunteers to support the new groups
  • Created & conducted a video presentation with each group
  • Number of persons living with dementia in each of the new groups has continued to grow

Educational events:

  • 30 Educational Events for 3,795 people
    • Included educational events for
      • Persons living with dementia
      • Family & friends
      • Care Partners
      • Medical students
      • Mental health professionals
      • Assisted living providers
      • Healthcare providers
      • Researchers
      • Area Agency on Aging and Senior Center staff
    • Conferences included
      • Grand Valley State University Art & Science of Aging Conference
      • Michigan Assisted Living Association Conference & Dementia Summit
      • Due West UMC Conference
      • Area Agency on Aging Association of Michigan Conference
      • Teepa Snow’s PAC conference
    • Dementia Minds: Family & Friends series
      • A series of 5 sessions - attendance ranged from 59 to 38 people including 12 to 22 people living with dementia

Participated in research projects:

  • Google related to phone accessibility for persons living with dementia
  • Alzheimer’s Association and Quinnipiac University related to developing a strength-based approach to measure wellbeing for persons living with dementia
  • University of Michigan related to pain and memory loss

Michigan Dementia Coalition:

  • Provide consultation to the Steering Committee
  • NCDM participants serve on several committees including the following:
    • Steering
    • Communication
    • Lived Experience
    • Health Care and Provider Education
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

In the News: 

Participated in Facebook live events and interviews:

Provided consultation to Jacquelyn Pogue, documentarian and filmmaker, on strategies to live well with dementia.

Volunteer Dementia Minds Group Support Team Members:

  • Heather Comstock
  • Erin Wallace
  • Rachel Voelkers
  • Robert Reid
  • Kat Brown
  • Dr. Fayron Epps
  • Dr. Melissa Vecchi

Key partners:

  • MALA
  • DH Communications
  • Kelley Cawthorne
  • Progressive Lifestyles
  • AARP MI
  • Teepa Snow PAC
  • Michigan Dementia Coalition
  • Dr. Fayron Epps, Emory University
  • Dr. Melissa Harris, Duke University

Join a Group

Join a Dementia Minds Group.

Join a Group

Stay Informed

Receive notifications about our events and activities.
Stay Informed

Book Us

Book our group to speak at your next event.
Book Us

Why the Dragonfly Logo?

For centuries, the dragonfly has been a symbol of change and self-realization. It represents hope, happiness, adaptability, and new beginnings.
Copyright © 2021  National Council of Dementia Minds | All Rights Reserved
Designed by Out of Sight Designs
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram Skip to content