EnergizeCare and Dementia Connection Institute Announce Partnership

EnergizeCare has entered into a one-year partnership with the Dementia Connection Institute, led by Dr. Jennifer Stelter, to strengthen dementia education and help guide the continued development of EnergizeCare’s respite care and community programs.

The partnership combines the Dementia Connection Institute’s education and dementia care expertise with EnergizeCare’s hands-on work with individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and their care partners.

A major focus of the collaboration will be Lisa’s Place, EnergizeCare’s new dementia community hub being developed in Dublin, Ohio.

Dr. Stelter will provide professional consultation as EnergizeCare plans the environment at Lisa’s Place. Her guidance will include lighting, color and contrast, furniture, room arrangement, accessibility, navigation, safety and other features that can make an environment easier and more comfortable for someone living with dementia.

The Dementia Connection Institute will also provide guidance as EnergizeCare reviews and develops its respite care programming. EnergizeCare currently provides approximately 3½-hour sessions built around meaningful engagement, movement, music, storytelling, socialization, games, art, animal engagement and other activities.

“We want to make sure that what we teach is also what we practice,” said Dr. Kenneth Vitellas, Founder and President of EnergizeCare. “Our relationship with Dr. Stelter and the Dementia Connection Institute gives us another experienced set of eyes looking at our programs, our environment and the way we interact with the people we serve.”

Education is another important part of the partnership.

Dr. Vitellas and members of the EnergizeCare team have completed training through the Dementia Connection Institute. EnergizeCare is using this education in its work with participants, families, volunteers and community partners and is expanding dementia education opportunities throughout Central Ohio.

The organizations will also work together on public education. Dr. Stelter will periodically join EnergizeCare as a dementia care expert during its monthly live conversations on 98.9 FM, along with physicians, healthcare professionals, educators, care partners, people living with dementia and other community guests.

“This partnership gives us the opportunity to connect education with real-life dementia care,” Vitellas said. “Our goal is simple: learn more, care better and create places where people living with dementia continue to feel included, valued and connected.”

EnergizeCare and the Dementia Connection Institute will continue to evaluate opportunities for education, professional collaboration and community outreach during the one-year partnership.

About EnergizeCare

EnergizeCare is a Central Ohio nonprofit organization providing respite care, meaningful engagement, dementia education, care-partner support and community resources. EnergizeCare is developing Lisa’s Place in Dublin as a community destination for individuals living with dementia and the people who care for them.

About Dementia Connection Institute

Dementia Connection Institute provides dementia education, certification, consultation and practical approaches designed to help professionals and care partners better understand dementia and improve day-to-day care and engagement.

For more information about EnergizeCare, visit energizecareoh.org.

Kenneth Vitellas, MD

Founder and President

EnergizeCare