Geli Losch, Executive Director of Memory Services and Community Impact

For decades, Valley View has been known for providing exceptional, compassionate care to the residents who call our community home. Yet focusing solely on those within our campus no longer reflects the full scope of who needs us. With more than one in four people in Central Pennsylvania now over the age of 65, the need for support is growing rapidly — and our mission calls us to respond.

Every week, we hear from neighbors who shoulder the heavy responsibilities of caregiving for loved ones who may not wish to move or may be unable to relocate. Their stories remind us that our purpose extends beyond our physical boundaries and into the broader community. Our faith-based, person-centered approach is needed throughout the region, especially in the rural areas we know and love. The need is real, and the need is now.

Prioritizing Dementia Awareness and Education

As we deepen our understanding of the challenges facing older adults, one priority has become clear: expanding outreach, education, and awareness around Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

As a trained Dementia Friends Champion, I have the privilege of visiting a wide range of settings to share information and increase understanding. Time and again, I meet people with a deeply personal connection to dementia—a parent, spouse, neighbor, friend, or colleague. Nearly everyone has a story, and nearly everyone describes how profoundly difficult the caregiving journey can be.

The statistics reflect this reality. More than 400,000 Pennsylvanians are living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. For every person diagnosed, three to four others are significantly affected by the demands and emotional weight of caregiving.

Building a Dementia Friendly Community

Last year, Valley View partnered with the Mifflin–Juniata Area Agency on Aging and other community partners to lay the groundwork for a Dementia Friendly Community initiative. A dementia friendly community is one that is informed, safe, respectful, and supportive of individuals living with dementia and their caregivers—a place where people can live well and maintain meaningful connections.

We have formed an action team and are moving these efforts forward in 2026. Our goals include achieving official Dementia Friendly Community recognition and launching Memory Cafés later this year. Memory Cafés provide welcoming spaces where individuals living with dementia and their care partners can connect with others who understand their journey, reduce stigma, and experience joy and belonging.

As we look ahead, Valley View remains committed to serving older adults and their care partners with dignity, purpose, and connection. By expanding education, advancing dementia-friendly initiatives, and creating spaces like Memory Cafés, we are living out our mission in meaningful ways. Together, we can ensure that every neighbor—on our campus or throughout the region—has access to the support and connection they deserve.

If you are interested in learning more about Memory Cafés or how to get involved, please contact Geli Losch, Executive Director of Memory Services and Community Impact, at 717.935.2105 ext. 1850 or [email protected].

This article is part of our Spring/Summer 2026 Newsletter. You can read the rest of this issue here.