Dementia Friendly Orange County

08/03/2026

Join us for our next Dementia Friendly Orange County Networking Lunch on Tuesday, August 25, at 11:30 a.m. at Lost River Deli! 💜

We’re excited to welcome Melissa Snider, Community Relations Director with Autumn Trace Communities, as our guest presenter. Melissa will share information about the services and support Autumn Trace provides for older adults and their families.

A big thank you to Autumn Trace Communities for sponsoring lunch and partnering with us for this month’s networking event.

Whether you’re a healthcare professional, care partner, community organization, or simply interested in learning more about dementia-friendly resources, we’d love to have you join us.

Please RSVP to Natasha at 812-276-4269.

08/03/2026

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4

Join us on Tuesday, August 4 at 1:00 PM at the Orleans Public Library for an afternoon of stories, laughter, and good conversation. Let’s slow down, enjoy some sweet tea, and reminisce about the simple moments that make life special.

Memory Café is a welcoming place for individuals experiencing memory changes, care partners, family, and friends.

📞 Questions? Contact Natasha at 812-276-4269.

✨ Please share and tag someone who might enjoy this special group!

08/01/2026

Join us online for our free live learning August webinars. 💻 These virtual programs offer real-time conversation, information, education and resources.

🔗 Register today at alz.org/livelearning.

07/29/2026

Join us on Tuesday, August 4 at 1:00 PM at the Orleans Public Library for an afternoon of stories, laughter, and good conversation. Let’s slow down, enjoy some sweet tea, and reminisce about the simple moments that make life special.

Memory Café is a welcoming place for individuals experiencing memory changes, care partners, family, and friends.

📞 Questions? Contact Natasha at 812-276-4269.

✨ Please share and tag someone who might enjoy this special group!

07/28/2026

Today, we shared updates about the Rural Dementia Network and the work we’re doing to support the communities we serve. We also talked about collaboration and our upcoming Train Your Brain program, which we’re excited to offer in partnership with Melissa from IU Health and Veronica from Purdue Extension.

Each organization around the table shared updates about their programs and resources, and that’s what makes these lunches so valuable—learning from one another, building partnerships, and finding new ways to serve our community together.

A special thank you to Lost River Deli for another delicious lunch. The fresh salads and sandwiches were the perfect meal for a summer afternoon!

Our next Networking Lunch will be Tuesday, August 25. We are still looking for a sponsor for August, so if your organization would like to provide lunch and share a short presentation, we’d love to hear from you! September and October are already filled, and we appreciate the wonderful community support.

Thank you to everyone who joined us today—we’ll see you in August!

07/21/2026

07/21/2026

🚿 Shower Time Doesn't Have to Be a Battle

Bathing can become one of the most challenging parts of dementia care—for both the person living with dementia and the caregiver.

If your loved one resists showering, remember:

💜 It's usually **not stubbornness.**

They may feel:
🛁 Cold or uncomfortable
😟 Afraid of falling
🚿 Overwhelmed by the sound or sensation of running water
🧠 Confused about what's happening
😳 Embarrassed or vulnerable

A little preparation and a calm approach can make all the difference.

# # # Here are a few tips that can help:

✅ Choose a time of day when they're usually calm and relaxed.
✅ Warm the bathroom before they enter.
✅ Gather everything you'll need before you start.
✅ Explain each step using simple, reassuring words.
✅ Offer choices whenever possible ("Would you like the blue towel or the white one?").
✅ Respect their privacy and dignity.
✅ Never rush—go at their pace.

If a full shower causes too much distress, remember that **it's okay to adapt.** A sponge bath or washing one area at a time may be a better option on difficult days.

❤️ The goal isn't perfection.

The goal is helping your loved one feel **safe, respected, and comfortable.**

Every calm interaction builds trust—and sometimes that's even more important than getting through the entire shower.

💬 What has made shower time easier for your loved one? Share your tips in the comments to help other caregivers.

📌 Save this post for future reference and share it with someone caring for a loved one living with dementia.

💜🚿

07/20/2026

Join us tomorrow, Tuesday July 21 at 1 o’clock! 🌻

07/20/2026

Behind every caregiver is a story of love, sacrifice, uncertainty, and strength. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re doing enough, you’re not alone. This powerful message shares honest truths about the caregiving journey and offers encouragement to those caring for someone living with dementia.

Take a few minutes to watch, and if you’re a care partner, know this: what you do matters, and you are making a difference every single day.

Dementia caregiving asks you to carry things nobody prepares you fo...