Dementia Institute

10/09/2026

🍂 Celebrate fall with us at our next Brain Cafe!

Join us on October 28 from 2–3:30 p.m. at Woodlawn Ministry Center for an afternoon of social connection, activities, music and tasty fall treats!

Brain Cafe events are designed specifically for people living with Brain Change and their care partners and provide a welcoming and comfortable space to connect with others and enjoy time together.

Walk-ins are always welcome! RSVPs are requested for large groups.

To RSVP or learn more, contact Rosemary Apol-Hoezee at 616-235-5233.

We’d love to have you join the fun! 🍁

10/07/2026

Meet Rosemary Apol-Hoezee, Dementia Specialist at the Dementia Institute!

Rosemary brings extensive experience in nursing, education, public health, and healthcare quality. Before joining the Dementia Institute, Rosemary worked in a variety of healthcare and educational roles, including mental health, home care and quality and education leadership.

Today, Rosemary teaches classes, facilitates support groups, provides consultations and leads quality and research initiatives to support people living with Brain Change and their care partners.

Outside of work, Rosemary enjoys biking, reading, gardening, and quilting.
We’re thankful for Rosemary’s expertise and commitment to improving dementia well-being in our communities!

10/05/2026

Join us on October 21 for a Dementia Friendly Movie Day, designed for people living with Brain Change and their care partners! 🎬🍿

We’ll be watching American Graffiti at Celebration Cinema North. Singing, dancing, and moving around are welcome. We want everyone to feel comfortable and enjoy the movie in their own way!

Tickets are only $5 at the door by cash or card and include a small drink and popcorn.

Wheelchairs welcome with advance registration to [email protected].
The movie begins at 12:30 p.m. We recommend arriving 15–20 minutes early to get settled.

We’re looking forward to a fun afternoon together and hope to see you there! 💜

09/30/2026

09/29/2026

Yesterday, we had the privilege of hosting nearly 70 guests for our Dementia Friendly Movie showing of Mamma Mia! It was a wonderful time filled with singing, clapping along and enjoying delicious popcorn & refreshments!

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and made the event so special! We can’t wait for our next movie showing in October!

09/29/2026

Specialized care delivered by Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services staff has made it the largest organization in the country to earn accreditation for treating dementia from Trillium Living’s Dementia Institute

09/25/2026

This week, we stepped back in time with a 1950s Diner themed Brain Cafe! We had the privilege to welcome around 20 wonderful guests and several Calvin Nursing students serving as volunteers!

From playing “Name that Tune”, enjoying root b**r floats & fries, posing for polaroid photos and getting active in a brain healthy exercise group, there was plenty of engagement, connection and fun!

We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us and to those who volunteered and sponsored to make this event possible! We look forward to more opportunities of connection and engagement at our next community Brain Cafe in October!

09/24/2026

A heartfelt thanks to our incredible sponsors for making our Dementia Friendly Events possible!

Because of their generous support, we’re able to create welcoming, engaging, and joyful spaces where individuals living with brain change & their care partners can connect, belong & thrive!

We are so grateful to have partners who share the value of connection, community and inclusion for those living with dementia! Thank you for making a lasting difference!

For more information on how to become a sponsor for our Dementia Friendly Events, contact us at [email protected]

09/24/2026

09/23/2026

We’re proud to recognize the Older Adult Unit at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services as the largest program to achieve Dementia Institute Accreditation.

Celebrated yesterday with a special certificate presentation, this achievement reflects Pine Rest’s commitment to compassionate, person-centered care for older adults living with dementia.

Through specialized education and training, Older Adult Unit staff strengthened their understanding of dementia, communication strategies and ability to provide purposeful, empathetic care tailored to each person’s unique needs.

As the need for dementia-informed care continues to grow, we’re honored to partner with organizations like Pine Rest that are investing in their teams and raising the standard of care for older adults and their families.

Is your organization interested in learning more about achieving Dementia Institute Accreditation? Contact us at [email protected] for a custom quote.