Teaming up for a day of advocacy at the Walk to End Alzheimer's 2025 | | The UW MBWC's team had a wonderful time supporting the Alzheimer's Association's 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, October 4 at Seattle Center! Every year, we participate in the world's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's disease research, support, and care. | | |
Funds from the Walk also provide free, 24/7 support through the Alzheimer’s Association Helpline, education programs, and local services for families navigating the challenges of Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
We're proud to add our voice to this advocacy event and help raise funds each and every year. The MBWC and ADRC are grateful for the Alzheimer's Association's support for our research program through funding awards and international conference opportunities, as well as for their continued partnership at the MBWC's Memory Hub community center. Thanks to our team captain, Alicia Adams, for pulling it all together!
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Team Spotlight: Jamie Bird
Jamie Bird is a Social Work Practicum Student at the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center, working on-site at the Memory Hub community center. Jamie, a 2nd-year social work student at Seattle University, chose to complete her practicum at the Memory Hub to learn more about dementia-friendly communities and how this approach could improve dementia care.
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| | | | Showcasing MBWC Evidence-Based Creative Arts Interventions at the 2025 Ignite Aging Symposium | | Professor Basia Belza opens the symposium | | |
At the UW MBWC, the fall season provides a time to share and celebrate progress being made on impactful and creative projects. We got the chance at the September 25th UW School of Nursing de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging’s 9th annual Ignite Aging symposium. Presenters from the MBWC and our partners at the Memory Hub presented lightning talks on evidence-based approaches to promoting healthy aging.
MBWC's Genevieve Wanucha presented on therapeutic gardens and Maude's Garden at the Memory Hub; recent de Tornyay Center 2024-2025 Undergraduate Research Scholar Madison McKee shared her work on dementia-friendly garden activities; MBWC's Kris Rhoads, PhD, spoke about the benefits of mindfulness meditation; the Frye Art Museum's Lea Lovelace shared about museum-based arts engagement; and School of Nursing PhD Candidate Sarah McKiddy presented on her work on music and memory, followed by a rousing performance from the high school music group Keys to Connection.
"It was an incredible morning of enrichment, connections, and learning," said attendee Keri Pollock of Aging Wisdom. "I'm leaving so inspired. These projects need to reach more people!"
| | Genevieve Wanucha presenting: The Therapeutic Potential of Gardens | | Sarah McKiddy presenting: Music, Memory, and Meaning | | Thank you to the de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging and Professor Basia Belza, PhD, RN, for the opportunity to showcase our ongoing work to enhance the brain health and wellbeing of older adults and persons living with memory loss. Photo credit: Aging Wisdom | |
An Energizing Day at the 2025 Dementia-Friendly Community Conference
What a beautiful day of connection and sharing at the 2025 Dementia-Friendly Communities Conference, at the Tukwila Community Center! Over 160 attendees, representing 14 counties, heard from inspiring speakers and left with practical actions to make our local communities more dementia-friendly.
You can learn more about dementia-friendly communities through our Dementia Friends Washington program at www.dementiafriendswa.uw.edu.
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Memory Hub Fall Open House Mingle!
Thurs. Nov. 4 - 6 pm
Join the Memory Hub for our annual Fall Open House! Drop by anytime 4 - 6 pm on Thursday, November to enjoy fun, friends and festivities – including live music, refreshments and activities.
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Balourdet Quartet Community Performance
Tues. Dec. 16, 1 pm
The Balourdet Quartet will join the Memory Hub community for an engaging afternoon of chamber music.
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Are you interested in palliative and neuropalliative care?
Our UW Medicine partners, the Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence, is hosting a dynamic event on advancing knowledge and collaboration in palliative care for patients with serious neurological illness. Open to all healthcare professionals and community members, the event will provide valuable, research-informed content tailored to a range of practice settings.
The Randall J. Curtis Palliative Care Conference
Thurs. Nov. 13, 4:30-6:30 pm: Free, Hybrid In-person campus event; Fri. Nov. 14, 10 am - 4:30 pm: Virtual Conference
Full agenda and details can be found at the Conference Website
| | | | | | We are looking for volunteers to participate in a study run by Dr. Angela Hanson at the University of Washington: The COGIT-2 Trial. COGIT-2 is a research study looking at whether crosswords puzzles training and health education can improve cognitive performance in participants with memory concerns. Learn more. | |
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Brain Health Rx
Prescriptions for Brain Health from the MBWC Clinic
Evidence from recent clinical trials supports these recommendations for promoting brain health in mid to later life
Download Checklist
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Memory Loss: A Guide to Next Steps
Have you recently been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or dementia? Join us for this introductory class. Get your questions answered by an expert panel including peer mentors who share strategies for living well with memory loss, and a medical provider from the UW Memory & Brain Wellness Center. Flyer
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Balourdet Quartet Collaboration with the Memory Hub for Music-Based Memory Loss Programming
Join in various programs with the Seattle Chamber Music Society's inaugural String Quartet-in-Residence, the Balourdet Quartet! The quartet is partnering with the Memory Hub and its community partners to embed in existing programs and co-design new music-based programming for people living with memory loss and their care partners.
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Books & Beats
2:30- 4pm every 3rd Wednesday of the month. Each book is discussed for two months.
Caregivers will have a book discussion group led by Seattle Public Library. People with memory loss will have a music engagement program led by a certified music therapist. The last half hour we'll come together for social time and snacks!
Flyer for Nov. - Dec.
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'Dancing Together' Seated Movement Class
Wednesdays, 1 - 2pm
Come together to move to music, exploring various dance styles and having fun with familiar songs! It is also appropriate for people with limited mobility. No dance experience necessary
Schedule: Fall 2025
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The Alzheimer's Cafe
Every 2nd Tuesday at the Memory Hub!
Join the Frye Art Museum and the UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center for an uplifting time of social connection! A unique opportunity for people living with dementia, their care partners, family, and friends to enjoy companionship, artwork discussions, live music, snacks, and fun in a relaxed environment.
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Garden Care Work Parties - Nov. 10
2nd Mondays of the Month at 1:30 - 3 pm.
Join us to volunteer in Maude's garden care. All are welcome, with a special invitation to persons with memory loss and their families. If you need physical or cognitive support in order to participate, please bring a care partner with you. Flyer
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Garden Discovery Program - Fall 2025 (Nov. 7, Dec. 5)
Connect with nature and engage in nature-based projects at Maude's Garden with others living with memory loss and friends and family. Flyer
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Shared Outdoor Adventures for Resilience Program (S.O.A.R) 2025-2026
With the S.O.A.R. (Shared Outdoor Adventures for Resilience) Program, reinforce your strengths and connect with others through monthly small group hikes and other outdoor adventures in the Seattle area. S.O.A.R is for people diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another dementia before age 65, with a family member or friend.
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Chinese Healthy Aging
The summer series of the Chinese Healthy Aging programs, featuring tai chi, karaoke and mahjong, will run 1-3 p.m. Mondays Oct. 6 - Dec. 22 at the Memory Hub. Flyer
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FTD Caregiver Support Group - Virtual
A virtual support group for people caring for a loved one with frontotemporal degeneration. Every second Wednesday of the month 5:30 pm PT - 7 pm PT, on Zoom. Flyer
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Coffee Chat - Virtual
Make a cup of coffee or tea, and come together online for an informal social time with others living with memory loss or dementia. Facilitated by trained volunteers with support from Program Manager Marigrace Becker. Space is limited; sign up by the day before. Join for just one session, or multiple.
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Caregiver Forum - Virtual
Join other family caregivers online to connect, share strategies, and support each other's experience caring for a loved one with dementia. Facilitated by trained volunteers with support from Program Manager Marigrace Becker.
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Memory Navigator Consultation Services
Looking for information or support for the memory loss journey? At the Memory Hub, a care consultant from Kin On Health Care Center acts as “Memory Navigator." They provide free 30-minute appointments in Chinese or English on Monday afternoons. Get support with memory loss or caregiving topics, including information and referrals to community resources. Discuss what you're looking for, and discover what may be available in your area to help you thrive.
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PD+ Support Group
Mutual support for people with CBD, PSP, MSA, and their care partners and loved ones. Offered by MBWC and facilitated by the American Parkinson Disease Association NW Chapter.
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PPA Support Group
Do you or a loved one live with primary progressive aphasia (PPA/PPAOS)? Come explore a group just for you! We meet monthly, on Wednesday afternoons. A free event. Flyer
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Chinese Dementia Caregiver Support Group
A Chinese-language resource at the Memory Hub, offered by our new on-site collaborator Kin On Health Care Center. Sign up.
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Join us for Dementia Friendsgiving: A Special Virtual Event on November 18
You’re invited to the inaugural Dementia Friendsgiving, hosted by Dementia Friendly America (DFA) on Tues. Nov 18 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT for a virtual potluck celebrating a decade of the dementia-friendly movement, its dedicated network of volunteers and professionals, and the positive impact it’s had on people living with dementia, caregivers and their communities.
You’ll hear from keynote speaker Teepa Snow, people living with dementia and their caregivers and community and state leaders in the dementia-friendly movement. Register today for this unique opportunity to make connections, envision the future of the dementia-friendly movement and find out how you or your organization can use DFA’s programs to join the movement.
| | | | Other Community Resources | | The Empowered Caregiver Series with the Alzheimer's Association - Virtual Education (Zoom). Learn more. | | NEW 6-week Early Memory Loss Support & Empowerment Group starts 1-2 p.m. on Thursday 11/6, at Port Angeles Senior Center. Designed for those living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or early-stage dementia. Sign up with Bri Buchanan, 360-417-8540, Brittnie.buchanan@dshs.wa.gov. | | Free Caregiver Workshop offered by HOPE Dementia Support in Vancouver, WA, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday 11/7. Learn how to stay independent and confident as you age. Breakfast and lunch included. View flyer here and sign up here. Questions: 360-513-5754, alwaysHOPEinfo@gmail.com. | | Join the Frye Art Museum for a free care partner workshop, “Supporting Dementia-Friendly Arts Engagement at Home.” Designed for those caring for a loved one in mid-to-later stages of dementia. Your loved one can attend an adult day program during the event if desired.12:30-3:30 p.m. on Friday 11/14. Contact 206-432-8265, creativeaging@fryemuseum.org. Learn more. | | UW Graduate Program in Neuroscience and the Eberhard Fetz Art Fund presents: Art Neureau 2025. Mon. Nov. 3, 6 - 9 pm at Fremont Abbey Learn more. | | | | |
