Nearly 200 community members attended information sessions held at Community Presbyterian Church in Pinehurst in June to introduce The Engaged Brains Project, a dementia care initiative led by board-certified neuropsychologist Karen D. Sullivan through the philanthropy of The Reid Fellowship for Healthcare Transformation of The Foundation of FirstHealth. Attendees learned about volunteer training opportunities for the year-long project, which focuses on a person-centered approach to dementia care rather than traditional, one-size-fits-all techniques.
“We were thrilled to see so many people from the area attend these information sessions and enthusiastically commit to participating in this much-needed approach to dementia care,” said Pat Soler, a local dementia caregiver support group leader. “This positive approach to person-centered care will be a gamechanger for those impacted by dementia, whether they are the patient, a family member or a caregiver. Dr. Sullivan’s incredible energy and commitment to person-centered care will make this a very successful program.”
Pastor Jim Smith of Wagram added, “What a session! I wept through the entire presentation. Dr. Sullivan’s energy, passion, knowledge and vision moved me deeply. I am new to dementia, but I am an expert on what makes people live joy-filled, purpose-filled lives, and she is spot on.”
Sixty volunteers representing multiple community sectors, including FirstHealth of the Carolinas, Pinehurst Medical Clinic, First Bank, St. Joseph of the Pines, and TerraBella Southern Pines, to name a few, and multiple churches, like Community Presbyterian, pledged their time and commitment to The Engaged Brains Project to serve as dementia champions.
“This is a special opportunity,” said Andrea Meade, who will serve as a dementia champion for The Foundation of FirstHealth. “I look forward to the training and applying my learning to so many of our special community members dealing with dementia.”
All 60 of the inaugural champions will travel by caravan from Southern Pines to Hillsborough for the first all-day training session with renowned dementia caregiver trainer and Occupational Therapist Teepa Snow and her Positive Approach to Care® team.
Heather Tippens, LCMHC, of Pinehurst, plans to serve as a dementia champion for the mental health of dementia care partners.
“The practical care strategies we will learn through The Engaged Brains Project promise to greatly improve all impacted by these brain diseases,” Tippens said. “I’m excited to integrate these positive, person-centered approaches into my practice as a counselor and teach them to others who want to support care partners as well.”
These local dementia champions will not only complete extensive training with the Positive Approach to Care® but also have agreed to work on a person-centered project of their choosing to further the cause here in Moore County. They will also share their learning with three to five others to create a “ripple effect of impact,” as Sullivan calls it.
“The broad public support represents hope for many people in the community living with brain change, or who may in the future,” Rebecca Ainslie, RN and facilitator at Community Presbyterian. “In many cases, it is the hardest thing you’ll ever do, but it can also be the best thing you’ll ever do when you know where your help comes from, so I am a grateful champion for this project.”
Lynne Drinkwater, Program Coordinator for the Senior Enrichment Center, agrees, adding, “I am very excited to be part of The Engaged Brains Project, because brain health is something everyone is interested in, and it’s amazing to see the involvement of Moore County grow before our eyes.”
For those interested in volunteering or participating in The Engaged Brains Project, monthly community meetings that are open to all for The Engaged Brains Project, led by Dr. Sullivan and special guests, begin Sept. 25 at Community Presbyterian Church, located at 125 Everette Road, Pinehurst. Meetings continue on the fourth Wednesday of the month (except Nov. 20 and Dec. 18) from 2:30-4 p.m. through Sept. 2025. These meetings will provide person-centered dementia education and skills training and are open to the public. Registration is encouraged but not required.
“The big picture goal of The Engaged Brains Project is to provide an example to the world of what is possible in dementia care with the power of coordinated community action and healthcare philanthropy, to increase engagement dramatically in dementia care locally and then measure the impact after one year to see how we can increase quality of life in the person, the care partner and the healthcare worker,” Sullivan explained. “For example, our belief is that we can reduce trips to the emergency department, decrease reliance on medications to calm behavior and keep dementia healthcare providers in their jobs for longer with much higher levels of job satisfaction.
“These are the missing ingredients to a more humane and progressive dementia care model. With the unprecedented level of support we have through The Foundation of FirstHealth and the incredible community we live in here in Moore County, I really believe in us. We can do this; it just takes a village.”
For more information on The Engaged Brains Project, email program coordinator Carrie Frye at [email protected] or call 833-423-9237.
Feature photo: Dale Krech and Pat Soler, dementia caregiver support group leaders, attended The Engaged Brains Project information session in June at Community Presbyterian Church and committed to serving as champions for the new dementia care initiative.
Contributed/Courtesy photo.
