Appalachian Memory & Aging Initiative

02/20/2026

☀️ It’s a beautiful day in Southwest Virginia and springtime is on the horizon!
These purple flowers made an appearance today in Abingdon, Virginia. Purple is the color that represents brain health awareness and dementia prevention. 💜

💡 Did you know that research shows nearly half of all cases of dementia can be prevented by addressing the modifiable risk factors?

If you’d like to know more, contact us today to learn how to ensure your brain is as healthy as possible at any stage of life.

📧 connect@appalachianmemoryandaging.org
📞 276-289-3020

02/18/2026

Call 540-231-9250 for more information or email CareEx@vt.edu.

02/13/2026

💙 COMING SOON! 💙

Senior Home Share is proud to present The Caregiver’s Café — a welcoming space for caregivers in our community to breathe, connect, and recharge. 💗

This monthly gathering is open to anyone who provides care — whether you’re supporting a loved one at home or serving others through a career in caregiving. Caring for others is meaningful work, but it can also be demanding, and you don’t have to do it alone.

Join us for a relaxed hour of conversation, encouragement, and connection with others who understand the heart of caregiving.

Coffee is on us! ☕

✨ GALAX BEGINS MARCH 10 ✨
✨ WYTHEVILLE BEGINS APRIL 17 ✨

At Senior Home Share, we believe those who care for others deserve support too.

Know a caregiver who could use this time to recharge? Feel free to share this with them. 💕

01/28/2026

📣 Attention residents of Lee, Wise, and Scott Counties: Access to FREE Brain Health Screenings and Education is coming to your area!

🧠 🧠

01/28/2026

Come learn about fraud and scam prevention next month at Chilhowie Baptist Church!

01/22/2026

Southwest Virginia needs Dementia Friends Champions! Register today if you are interested in representing your county as the Dementia Friends initiative expands throughout Virginia and into our region? 🫶

🧠💙 Be part of the movement. Become a Dementia Friend Champion.

Dementia-friendly communities start with understanding and Champions play a key role in making that happen. By participating in this training, you’ll gain the knowledge and tools to lead conversations, raise awareness, and help reduce stigma around dementia in your community.

If you’re passionate about education, advocacy, and supporting people living with dementia, this session is for you. Join us and help create spaces where everyone can live with dignity and respect. Register today: https://leadingagevirginia.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2017548&group=

01/19/2026

01/16/2026

🧠 Brain Health Fact 🧠

Staying socially connected is vital for brain health. Meaningful social interaction helps stimulate thinking, memory, and language skills while reducing stress and feelings of loneliness. Regular connection with others supports emotional well-being and has been linked to a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

Conversation, shared activities, laughter, and a sense of belonging all activate multiple areas of the brain, helping to strengthen neural networks over time. Social engagement also supports mental health by lowering rates of depression and anxiety—both of which can negatively affect cognitive functioning if left unaddressed.

Social connection doesn’t have to be complicated. A phone call, shared meal, community class, faith group, or hobby with others can all support brain health.

📌 Tip: Make connection part of your routine. Schedule regular check-ins with friends or family, and look for opportunities to stay engaged in your community.

01/12/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares Joins Bristol Leaders to Empower Seniors with Safety Resources

Date: January 8, 2026

BRISTOL, VA - Area seniors, along with their families and caregivers, are invited to attend a Bristol TRIAD community meeting on Friday, January 9, 2026, featuring Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares. The event is designed to connect older adults with vital safety information, legal guidance, and local public safety resources—all in one place.

The meeting will begin at 10:00 AM at Highlands Fellowship Bristol, located at 134 Commerce Ct., Bristol, VA 24201. Refreshments will be provided for all attendees.

What is TRIAD?

TRIAD is a collaborative partnership between the Virginia Office of the Attorney General and local public safety and justice agencies focused on reducing crime against older adults and enhancing senior safety. In Bristol, TRIAD brings together representatives from:

· Bristol Virginia Police Department

· Bristol Virginia Sheriff’s Office

· Bristol Virginia Fire Department

· Bristol Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney

· Bristol Virginia Victim-Witness Program

· Office of the Virginia Attorney General

By working together, these agencies provide a “one-stop” opportunity for seniors and their families to learn how to recognize and avoid scams, improve personal and home safety, and understand what resources are available if they become the victim of a crime.

Empowering Bristol Seniors

The TRIAD meeting will serve as an open forum where attendees can meet directly with public safety officials, ask questions, and learn about programs available in the City of Bristol to protect seniors, their families, and their neighborhoods. Topics will include personal safety, financial security, home safety strategies, and how to implement safety protocols both at home and in the community.

“Our goal is to bridge the gap between our seniors and the agencies that serve them,” said Chief D. Byron Ashbrook of the Bristol Police Department. “We want every senior in Bristol to know these resources are here for them and that they have a voice in their safety. By coming together, we can help ensure our older residents feel informed, supported, and secure.”

For More Information:
Officer Darrell Dickenson
Public Information Officer
Bristol, Virginia, Police Department
551 Scott Street
Bristol, VA 24201
276-618-2767

01/11/2026

We are hiring!

For more information or to apply, please visit: https://abingdon.applicantpro.com/jobs/3954173

01/10/2026

AASC's Mount Rogers PACE offers a long-term solution for loved ones. Our interdisciplinary team coordinates, provides, and supervises home and healthcare services, helping adults stay safe and comfortable in their own homes. For more information, please visit our website at www.aasc.org or call 276-964-4915.