For Joe Akin, conversations about memory care are more than professional—they’re personal.
Akin’s mother, Dorothy, is 95 years old and living with dementia. While the diagnosis has changed aspects of her life, he says it does not define who she is.
“When people hear the word dementia, it’s easy for the diagnosis to become the person’s identity,” said Akin, Stillwater Medical Foundation’s senior director of development and community outreach. “But dementia is something my mom has; it is not who she is. She is still the same woman who taught me about kindness, resilience, and the importance of serving others.”
Today, Akin hopes sharing his family’s experience will encourage others to learn more about the resources available to seniors and caregivers throughout the community.
That opportunity will come on Saturday, June 13, when the Aging Advocates host a free Senior Living Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Block 34 in Stillwater. The event will bring together organizations and professionals who provide services for seniors and their families, including independent, assisted and memory care living options; home health and hospice care; insurance and legal resources; mental health services; medical treatments; adult daycare programs and more.
“Many families don’t realize how many resources are available until they are facing a difficult decision or a health crisis,” said Brooke Kimmel, Stillwater Medical at Home hospice liaison. “This fair gives people the opportunity to ask questions, explore options and build relationships with local experts before they urgently need those services.”
Among the many resources available, memory care and dementia support services will be a key focus, with representatives from senior living communities, home care organizations, hospice providers and the Alzheimer’s Association available to connect with attendees.
For families navigating dementia, Akin understands firsthand how challenging the journey can be.
“The most difficult part has been watching someone who was always independent gradually lose pieces of that independence,” he said. “There are moments when you realize that the person who once cared for you now depends on you for things they never imagined needing help with.”
Over time, caregiving changed nearly every aspect of daily life.
“It has made me more patient, more empathetic, and more aware of how important community resources are for families navigating this journey,” Akin said. “Most of all, it has reminded me that none of us are meant to do this alone.”
Eventually, concerns about Dorothy’s safety led the family to seek additional support through memory care.
“We realized that seeking additional support wasn’t giving up, it was actually one of the most loving decisions we could make,” Akin said. “It allowed my mom to receive the level of care she needed while allowing our family to focus more on being family rather than full-time caregivers.”
Kristi Lester, executive director of Legacy Village of Stillwater, believes education and early planning can make a significant difference for families facing similar decisions.
“Choosing a memory care community is one of the most important decisions a family will have to make,” Lester said. “Seeing a memory care community firsthand really helps you visualize how a specialized environment can enhance quality of life, promote meaningful connections with others in the same season of life, and provide support for both residents and their loved ones.”
At Legacy Village, Lester says the focus extends beyond care alone.
“We don’t just care for people with memory loss,” she said. “We celebrate their lives, we honor their stories, and we help them to continue to live with purpose and dignity.”
Amanda Kemme, marketing manager for Legacy Village of Stillwater, hopes families attending the fair leave knowing they have support.
“You’re not alone,” Kemme said. “And there is somebody that’s always going to be on your side through this journey. We’re here to help you navigate those hard questions or here to navigate those hard challenges that come along with making this decision in life.”
Kimmel says that sense of support is one of the greatest benefits of community events like the Senior Living Fair.
“No one should feel like they have to navigate aging, caregiving or memory loss on their own,” Kimmel said. “When families know where to turn for help and understand the resources available to them, they can make decisions with greater confidence and peace of mind.”
For Akin, that’s one of the most important reasons to attend.
“My advice is simple: don’t wait until you’re in crisis,” he said. “The Senior Living Fair is an opportunity to learn what options exist before you need them.”
Whether caring for a loved one today, planning for the future or simply wanting to better understand the resources available in the community, organizers hope attendees leave the event with valuable information, meaningful connections and reassurance that help is available.
To learn more about dementia, caregiving and available support services, visit Stillwater Medical’s dementia resource page at www.stwmedical.com/dementia. There, families can find educational materials, local resources and guidance designed to help them navigate senior care.