As our population ages, so too do the instances of dementia. For the families affected by dementia, it is often cruel and unforgiving with growing challenges as the disease progresses. At Mercy, we know we can better help and assist families living with dementia to better manage many aspects of daily life and, hopefully, thrive in the face of this diagnosis.
Built upon the generosity of a $2 million seed gift by the Chris & Suzy DeWolf Family, the DeWolf Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia is a place of continuing discovery and implementation of best practices. Its aim is to continually seek ways for older adults and those living with dementia to live more satisfying and fulfilling lives. In addition, family caregivers are supported to make caregiving easier, and volunteers (often older adults with lived experience) are matched with positions in which they find meaning and purpose.
We do this within each of the components found at the DeWolf Innovation Center:
- The Mercy Center for Memory Health
- A second location of the Family Caregivers Center
- An Age- & Dementia-Friendly Smart Show Room and kiosks where products and information are available to enhance the lives of older adults and those living with dementia to help them age in place
- Early-Stage Adult Day Community Connections Program (coming soon)
Your support will help build an operational endowment to sustain the groundbreaking work being developed at the DeWolf Innovation Center. Through the financial security offered through the endowment, the DeWolf Innovation Center will look to grow its programming, expand to implementing its innovative findings to other communities, and continue shaping the new path for individuals who are aging or living with dementia.
