(GROW) ECHO: Searching for Origins of Dementia before the First Signs of Memory Loss
2026-01-28 12:30 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Geriatric Resource Ohio Workgroup (GROW) ECHO Session
In her presentation, Searching for Origins of Dementia before the First Signs of Memory Loss, Dr. Christine Dengler-Crish, a member of NEOMED’s Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research Group, will share insights into how dementia may begin well before noticeable symptoms appear.
Health care and human service professionals are encouraged to attend.
Register to join Wednesday’s session!

Memory Café
2026-02-02 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-02 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-06 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-04 13:00 - 14:00 | Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolff Road, Medina, OH, 44256, United States
Come for light snacks, fun activities, socialization and resources for those living with memory loss along with their care partners.

Buckeye Community Room

Dementia Friendly America – First Friday Office Hours
2026-03-06 11:00 - 11:45, 2026-04-03 11:00 - 11:45, 2026-05-01 11:00 - 11:45 | Virtual
Join the Dementia Friendly America (DFA) team and Community Conveners for an open, conversational session to learn more about DFA, get your questions answered and connect with others across the DFA community.
This is a casual gathering—feel free to bring a cup of coffee and join the conversation. We hope to see you there!
Register Now

Upholding Rights in Long-Term Services & Supports
2026-03-09 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual
Dementia Friendly Nevada’s Distinguished Speaker Series
Join us for our monthly educational Distinguished Speaker Series, free and open to all!
Second Monday of Each Month
1:00 – 2:30 PM
Online, via Zoom
Monday, March 9, 2026
Lori Smetanka
Executive Director, National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care
Presenting on the topic of:
Upholding Rights in Long-Term Services & Supports
Lori Smetanka is the Executive Director of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, the leading national nonprofit advocacy organization representing consumers receiving long-term care and services in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home and community based settings. As Executive Director, Lori oversees and contributes to the organization’s policy, advocacy, and program activities; leads the organization’s fundraising efforts; establishes strategic partnerships with organizations and federal agencies working on issues related to the provision of long-term services and supports; and establishes the strategic direction of the organization. From 2004 – 2016, Lori served as the Director of the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC), providing technical assistance, training, and support to the 53 State Ombudsmen and they statewide networks across the country. Prior to that role, Lori served as Law and Policy Specialist at Consumer Voice, where she provided policy analysis, consultation, education, technical assistance, and training on long-term care issues. She received a B.A. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law.
Register here!

Free Dementia Friends and Dementia Champions Training
2026-03-24 18:00 - 20:30, 2026-04-09 10:00 - 12:30, 2026-04-28 18:00 - 20:30, 2026-05-14 10:00 - 12:30, 2026-05-26 18:00 - 20:30, 2026-06-11 10:00 - 12:30 | Virtual
Please join The Ohio Council for Cognitive Health for a free, virtual Dementia Friends Session with optional Dementia Friends Champions.
Attendees interested in becoming a Dementia Friend will participate for the first 75 minutes. Attendees seeking to become a Dementia Friends Champion will participate for the entire 2.5 hours.
Sessions are offered twice a month. The daytime session is on the second Thursday from 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM ET and the evening session is on the fourth Tuesday from 6:00 – 8:30 PM ET.
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED – REGISTER HERE.
Dementia Friends is a global, call-to-action movement developed by the Alzheimer’s Society in the United Kingdom and now underway in the United States. The goal is to help everyone in a community understand how dementia impacts individuals and families, and things we can each do to make a difference in the lives of those affected. In this free, virtual session we will cover the basics of dementia including common types, signs and symptoms, communication tips, community resources and more. An emphasis on positive messaging and dementia stigma reduction is a key part of this program, designed to reach audiences in all community sectors.
A Dementia Friends Champion designation is received after attending a 2.5-hour free, virtual training which includes a Dementia Friends session and additional information, resources and materials needed by Champions to deliver free virtual or in-person Dementia Friends sessions throughout their communities.

GWEP GROW Brain Health ECHO Series | Beyond the Eyes: Understanding the Vision-Dementia Intersect
2026-03-25 12:30 - 13:30 | Virtual
The GWEP Brain Health ECHO Series is a free education program running monthly on the 4th Wednesday, 12:30–1:30 p.m. beginning March 25 through June 24, 2026
Presenters:
Donna Barrett, MSW, LSW, Program Manager, Senior Services, Summit County Public Health
and Nicole Becher, MAEd, Program Coordinator, Summit County Public Health
Presentation Description
This presentation examines the critical, evidence-based link between vision loss and accelerated cognitive decline, with studies showing that up to 20% of dementia cases may be vision-related. The presentation will focus on the physiological and psychological mechanisms of this intersection and equip professionals with actionable strategies for early detection and intervention to mitigate client risk and encourage a goal to integrate eye health as a modifiable risk factor within broader brain health and aging practices.
Objectives

Quantify the Link: Summarize the established correlation between vision loss and accelerated cognitive decline, citing the approximate percentage of dementia cases potentially related to vision impairment.
Explain the Mechanisms: Identify and describe the three primary physiological and psychological ways poor vision impacts the brain (reduced sensory input, increased cognitive load, and structural changes).
Recognize Neurological Symptoms: List at least three vision-related symptoms that can be early indicators or manifestations of neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s, Dementia, or Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD).
Promote Actionable Strategies: Articulate key preventative and therapeutic strategies, such as regular eye exams and chronic condition management, that professionals can promote to clients to mitigate the risk of vision-related cognitive decline.

Register Here
Download Flyer

Project ECHO: Recognizing and Managing Gastrointestinal Conditions in Older Adults with IDD and Dementia
2026-03-30 12:00 - 13:15 | Virtual
Project ECHO® Spring 2026 Series: Differential Diagnosis in Aging Adults with Intellectual Disability: Common Treatable Conditions
Recognizing and Managing Gastrointestinal Conditions in Older Adults with IDD and Dementia
Craig Escudé, MD, FAAFP, FAADM, FAAIDD
President, Intellect Ability
This Project ECHO series is a free, case-based education program for health care and human service providers seeking to strengthen their skills in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities affected by dementia. Each session features a brief expert presentation, a participant-submitted case and a facilitated group discussion focused on shared learning and practical application.

Project ECHO: Diabetes and Heart Disease in Adults with IDD and Dementia: What It Looks Like and How to Help
2026-04-13 12:00 - 13:15 | Virtual
Project ECHO® Spring 2026 Series: Differential Diagnosis in Aging Adults with Intellectual Disability: Common Treatable Conditions
Diabetes and Heart Disease in Adults with IDD and Dementia: What It Looks Like and How to Help
Catherine Conway, MS, RDN, CDN, CDCES
Chief of Nutritional Services and Diabetes Program, YAI National Institute
This Project ECHO series is a free, case-based education program for health care and human service providers seeking to strengthen their skills in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities affected by dementia. Each session features a brief expert presentation, a participant-submitted case and a facilitated group discussion focused on shared learning and practical application.

GWEP GROW Brain Health ECHO Series | Restoring the Caregiver: The Connection Between Sleep, Health, and Dementia Risk
2026-04-22 12:30 - 13:30 | Virtual
The GWEP Brain Health ECHO Series is a free education program running monthly on the 4th Wednesday, 12:30–1:30 p.m. beginning March 25 through June 24, 2026
Presenter: Lyndi Wyrostek, MSW, LSW, Social Worker and Grant Program Manager, MemoryLane Care Services
Presentation Description
This presentation will focus on important relationships between sleep quality, dementia risk and caregiver health outcomes. Potential causes of insomnia and sleep disruption, including behavioral, environmental, and caregiving-related factors will be discussed. Attendees will learn practical and applicable strategies to improve sleep hygiene, manage stimulus control and other components of cognitive behavioral sleep intervention.
Objectives

Explain the relationship between sleep quality, caregiver health outcomes, and dementia risk.
Identify common behavioral, environmental, and caregiving-related factors that contribute to insomnia and sleep disruption.
Describe the components of cognitive behavioral sleep interventions, including sleep hygiene, stimulus control, and sleep compression.

Register Here

Project ECHO: Differentiating Psychiatric Conditions from Dementia in Older Adults with IDD
2026-04-27 12:00 - 13:15 | Virtual
Project ECHO® Spring 2026 Series: Differential Diagnosis in Aging Adults with Intellectual Disability: Common Treatable Conditions
Differentiating Psychiatric Conditions from Dementia in Older Adults with IDD
Benjamin Margolis, MD
Co-chair, AADMD Behavioral Health Task Group, American Academy on Developmental Medicine and Dentistry
This Project ECHO series is a free, case-based education program for health care and human service providers seeking to strengthen their skills in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities affected by dementia. Each session features a brief expert presentation, a participant-submitted case and a facilitated group discussion focused on shared learning and practical application.

Project ECHO: Recognizing, Preventing and Managing Delirium in Adults with IDD and Dementia
2026-05-11 12:00 - 13:15 | Virtual
Project ECHO® Spring 2026 Series: Differential Diagnosis in Aging Adults with Intellectual Disability: Common Treatable Conditions
Recognizing, Preventing and Managing Delirium in Adults with IDD and Dementia
Seth Keller, MD
Neurologist, Neurology Associates of South Jersey and Co-President, National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices
This Project ECHO series is a free, case-based education program for health care and human service providers seeking to strengthen their skills in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities affected by dementia. Each session features a brief expert presentation, a participant-submitted case and a facilitated group discussion focused on shared learning and practical application.

Project ECHO: Series Wrap-Up Discussion
2026-05-18 12:00 - 13:15 | Virtual
Project ECHO® Spring 2026 Series: Differential Diagnosis in Aging Adults with Intellectual Disability: Common Treatable Conditions
Wrap-Up Discussion (of previous 4 sessions)
This Project ECHO series is a free, case-based education program for health care and human service providers seeking to strengthen their skills in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities affected by dementia. Each session features a brief expert presentation, a participant-submitted case and a facilitated group discussion focused on shared learning and practical application.

GWEP GROW Brain Health ECHO Series | Dementia and Wellness: Supporting Brain Health Through Activity and Nutrition
2026-05-27 12:30 - 13:30 | Virtual
The GWEP Brain Health ECHO Series is a free education program running monthly on the 4th Wednesday, 12:30–1:30 p.m. beginning March 25 through June 24, 2026
Presenter: Elizabeth Kinzig, MA,CCC-SLP, Program Coordinator, Ohio Council for Cognitive Health
Presentation Description
Supporting brain health across the lifespan involves many factors – physical activity, nutrition, social engagement and novel cognitive activities, just to name a few. This presentation will focus on physical activity and nutrition when dementia and caregiving enter life’s picture. We will explore practical, adaptive strategies to address common activity and nutritional challenges in ways that benefit both individuals living with dementia and their care partners. Participants will also learn about helpful community and national resources that promote brain health, movement, and nutrition.
Objectives

Share how physical activity and nutrition support brain health for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Learn simple movement and nutrition strategies that can benefit both individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.
Recognize common challenges to staying active and eating well through the dementia journey.
Explore practical ways to build healthy routines that support wellness.
Identify helpful community and national resources that promote brain health, physical activity, and nutrition.

Register Here
