Finding Joy In Dementia

In this insightful episode, host Tim Mallad welcomes Cheryl Harding, President and CEO of Fort Worth’s James L. West Center for Dementia Care, to discuss the organization’s mission to provide personalized, innovative care and compassionate support for families grappling with the challenges of dementia. The two discuss the center's advocacy for specialized education for caregivers, healthcare professionals and the wider community in the realm of dementia care.This multifaceted approach is aimed at changing the stigma associated with the diagnosis and inspiring a newfound sense of hope and joy for individuals and families facing this challenging journey. This organization is incorporating the following hashtag and launching a campaign centered on this theme: #FindingJoyInDementia.Join us for this very special episode as Cheryl and Tim's discussion showcases the power of empathy, innovation and dedication in the pursuit of a brighter future for those impacted by dementia. About Cheryl Harding, Ph.D., LNFA In 2018, Cheryl Harding was named president and CEO of Fort Worth’s James L. West Alzheimer Center. Harding earned a Ph.D. in Family Studies (Gerontology) from Texas Woman’s University in Denton and holds her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Harding was awarded her Licensed Nursing Home Administrator certificate by Texas in 2003, and selected as Administrator of the Year in 2007 by LeadingAge Texas. Harding and her husband, Glen, have two teenage sons and four adult children.About James L. West Center for Dementia Care James L. West Center for Dementia Care is a faith-inspired, not-for-profit organization serving persons impacted by dementia. James L. West is founded on the love and compassion of Eunice P. West, who witnessed the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease on her husband, Fort Worth business leader and philanthropist James L. West. As a caregiver, Mrs. West understood the hardships families face, at a time when services for people with dementia were not commonly available. To honor her husband’s memory, Mrs. West directed the James L. and Eunice P. West Charitable Trust, through First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth, to provide major funding to build a nondenominational facility dedicated to the care of people living with Alzheimer’s and related disorders.