Michala Gibson and Mandy Shoemaker have been leaders in the dementia field for 10 years. The Prairie Farmstead, a campus with three group homes on a therapeutic farm setting, is a one-of-a-kind haven for people living with dementia and their families. When Michala’s husband (Mandy’s brother) was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s in late 2023, it gave a whole new perspective to the continuum of care and the needs of this growing population.

This topic is crucial for anyone in health care as our population continues to age and the number of people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of brain change skyrocket. Our system has primarily focused on caring for people in the end stages of the disease, but as this journey has become painfully personal for Michala and Mandy, they have realized some of the most challenging barriers come much earlier.

Participants in this session will brainstorm solutions to these earliest challenges, learn about a new community approach that Michala and Mandy are spearheading, and have an opportunity to put on their innovation caps to brainstorm potential solutions in their own setting and community.

Ultimately, maintaining social connections for people impacted by the disease as well as their family care partners will determine quality of life for those on this journey. We have work to do, but Michala and Mandy are working hard to highlight this urgent need and break down the barriers along the way.

CEs available!

This program has been approved for Continuing Education for 1.0 total participant hours by NAB/NCERS—Approval #20251023-1-A107156-DL.

The Green House Project is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by Maryland Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. This program is approved for 1.0 hour.

Approved for 1.0 CEU by National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners and International Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners.