Appalachian Memory & Aging Initiative

05/23/2026

05/13/2026

✔️100%…

Of all the people I spoke with today during another humbling day of outreach in Southwest Virginia, that’s how many have been personally impacted by dementia: 100%!

Each person I encountered today had a touching story about caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. At times, their stories involved a parent or grandparent; other times, a spouse or sibling; and occasionally, an in-law or a friend. Others expressed concerns about changes in memory and thinking that they are noticing in themselves or a loved one, and some agreed to sign up for the grant-funded cognitive assessments we are providing!! ✨

Even though this outreach journey is only beginning, I am grateful for the opportunity to provide knowledge and support to those in our region who have lacked education about dementia and who most certainly are without adequate resources.

Our day in Gate City, Virginia started out at the Scott County Library where we spoke with a group of ladies who gather for a weekly coffee hour where they enjoy valuable social connection! ☕️

I then made the most of a leisurely day in a sweet town, talking with shop owners and other patrons, and even a kind fella I encountered on the street. The goal - take every opportunity possible to share our message and advance our mission of Helping Southwest Virginians Age Well. 💜

~ Kelley Kinder, AMAI Founder

05/05/2026

.🌟 Calling All Seniors! Stay Active, Healthy & Strong! 🌟

Join our Senior Wellness Program—a 12-week experience focused on exercise, nutrition, and fall prevention designed to help you feel your best every day! 💪

🗓 Application Meeting: May 6
⏰ Time: 10:00 A.M.
📍 Location: Wytheville Recreation Center

🎉 BONUS: Qualified participants may receive a FREE 3-Month Family Gold Pass Plan (details discussed at the meeting!)

✅ Open to Wythe or Bland County residents
✅ Ages 65+

Take the first step toward better health, improved mobility, and a stronger you—we’d love to see you there!

📞 (276) 223-3378
🌐 https://rec.wytheville.org/fitness

05/05/2026

We are excited to partner with the Southwest Virginia Ems Council Inc and the Virginia Geriatric Education Center to bring this all day Dementia Response training to Southwest Virginia! VCU Gerontology

Seats are limited so register today!!

We’re excited to share an upcoming free continuing education opportunity for EMS providers and other first responders in our region.

The Integrated Dementia Response for First Responders training will be held on June 13, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, VA.
This full-day program is designed to strengthen responders’ ability to care for older adults particularly those living with dementia during emergency situations. The training will cover:

Recognizing and understanding dementia and disease progression

Communication strategies with patients and caregivers

Medication safety and age-friendly care approaches

Elder abuse recognition and the EMS provider’s role

Referral pathways and available community resources

Participants will earn 6 hours of continuing education credit for EMS and law enforcement.

The course aligns with the Virginia Dementia State Plan (2024–2027) and emphasizes the important role first responders play in early identification and intervention.

This training is open to all first responders, including EMS, fire, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, mental health clinicians, and 911 communications personnel.

Additional details:
Cost: Free (registration required)
Seats are limited – early registration is encouraged
Lunch on your own (food trucks will be available on site)
This is a collaborative effort between the Virginia Geriatric Education Center, Southwest Virginia EMS Council, and the Appalachian Memory & Aging Initiative.
For more information, contact:

📧 [email protected]
📞 276-289-3020

We encourage you to take advantage of this valuable training opportunity to better serve our aging population.

For registration please use the QR code on the attached course announcement.

If you have an issue with the QR code provided you can use the following link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejtEiqG2yOwr7kZyfF2qR6pVyMW__EQ-52yx7p8Ywfb2XdZQ/viewform

05/04/2026

✨ Registration is Open! ✨

➡️ https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/memory-mile-walk-abingdon-va

04/30/2026

Are you providing care for a person with memory problems?

The Center for Gerontology at Virginia Tech invites nieces/nephews, stepkin, and siblings of persons with memory problems who help care for their older relatives to participate in an initial telephone interview (approx. 70 minutes) and 8 brief telephone interviews (15-20 minute each evening).

You will be asked questions about the type of help provided, family involvement and use of paid services, and help-related and daily challenges.

Eligible family members will be compensation is $110 for full participation (VT IRB # 20-742).

Interested? Visit the study website careex.isce.vt.edu; call 540-231-9250; email [email protected], or complete initial inquiry form https://is.gd/careex.

04/28/2026

✨We enjoyed another wonderful day of outreach and connection with a lovely group of ladies at the Lee County Redevelopment and Housing Authority! This time, we remembered to snag a group photo to share, and we’re also posting some teaser shots of our presentation! If your organization is in Southwest Virginia and would like to provide access to brain health education and mobile cognitive assessment services, we would be pleased to partner with you!

💜

~Andrea Sartori, PhD & Kelley Kinder, MA, LPC

04/24/2026

Caregiver stress is real. And you don’t have to go through it alone.

Join us for our next Lee County Caregiver Support Group meeting on Tuesday, May 19 at 11:30 a.m. at First Christian Church in Pennington Gap.

During this time together, caregivers can:
• Build a support system
• Talk through challenges and ways of coping
• Share feelings, needs and concerns

It’s a welcoming space to connect, share experiences and find encouragement.

Refreshments will be provided. To RSVP, call 276-523-4202.