Alzheimer's Disease, Dementias and Healthy Aging

February 2026 Newsletter

Dementia Friendly VT brings people, businesses, and communities together to make Vermont more welcoming, and supportive for everyone impacted by dementia. Clear, respectful communication, patience, flexibility, and understanding which are qualities that define excellent customer service in any setting. Dementia Friendly VT helps businesses and organizations strengthen trust, inclusion, and community connection. Whether you work in healthcare, retail, finance, housing, faith communities, transportation, or local government, becoming dementia friendly helps build skills that benefit all customers, clients, and neighbors. Together, across every sector, we can reduce stigma, support independence, and ensure Vermonters of all ages can fully participate in community life.

If you'd like to learn more about taking the first step toward making your business or organization dementia friendly, email The Vermont Department of Health Alzheimer's and Healthy Aging Program - click the button below.

Memorable Times Café 

Wednesdays, 10:30am - 11:15am

The Central Vermont Council on Aging (CVCOA), along with Vermont Department of Libraries’ ABLE Library, leads a team of staff and volunteers in a partnership with a memory cafe in Scotland. “Memorable Times Online” (MTO) gatherings are a weekly virtual, transatlantic gatherings for people living with mild to moderate memory loss and their care partners.   

Open to the public, this enriching cross-cultural partnership offers stories, memories, music, and community. The virtual format supports those with mobility challenges or those who prefer the convenience of online participation. Memorable Times Café offers quarterly in-person gatherings, at different accessible locations in CVCOA’s service area. 

For more information or to register call : 802-477-1364

Living Longer: The Increasing Need for Dementia Care and Support for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Advances in medicine, technology, and community living are extending the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). As a result, individuals with IDD are now at greater risk of developing dementia. Dementia can present differently in people with IDD, and supporting individuals with both conditions often requires specialized knowledge and skills from healthcare professionals and aging and disability service providers. This webinar will provide participants with an overview of IDD and dementia including prevalence, signs and symptoms, and assessing if a person with IDD may be developing dementia.

Coping With Agitation, Aggression, and Sundowning in Alzheimer's Disease

As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, some people experience agitation, aggression, or restlessness, which may intensify in the late afternoon or evening. This pattern is known as sundowning. These behaviors are often responses to unmet needs such as pain, fatigue, confusion, environmental changes, or medication effects rather than intentional actions. Caregiving approaches that emphasize calm communication, reassurance, predictable routines, and a soothing environment can help reduce distress and prevent further agitation. Simple strategies like gentle redirection, engaging in meaningful activities, maintaining a regular daily schedule, and healthy sleep habits are especially helpful in minimizing or preventing sundowning.