A full house of 320 attendees gathered at River Crest Country Club on Thursday, April 23, to gain valuable insights into the dementia journey, compliments of the James L. West Center for Dementia Care, a recognized national leader in dementia care and education.
The event centered on a simple but powerful message. Dementia care does not have to be faced alone, and it becomes more manageable when people understand what normal aging is, what may signal concern, and where to turn for trusted education, support, and care.
Event co-chair Andy Taft opened the program by sharing his family’s experience. He spoke about “The long good-bye,” referring to the progressive nature of the disease. More importantly he emphasized the value of connection and guidance. He shared that James L. West Center welcomed his family with “open arms” helping them feel less alone as they navigated unfamiliar and emotional decisions.
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker continued this theme and emotionally shared the roller coaster that her family continues to face with her father’s dementia. She told of the frustrations that dementia caregiving families can experience when they don’t know what they don’t know.
She described the early warning signs her family noticed of their father’s changes and she praised the guidance and support she received from Dr. Janice Knebl, Medical Director at UNTHealth Fort Worth and The James L. West Center.
She added that with the right education and approach, they saw improvements in her father’s circumstances, his wellbeing, and quality of life
Her message underscored the key purpose of the event: Early education and understanding can change the experience of the disease for both the person living with dementia and those who care for them.
The program also included an educational session led by Jaime Cobb Tinsley, Vice President of Family and Professional Education, and Hollie Lowe, Director of Education and Family Support Services.
Together, they demonstrated practical ways to respond to common age and dementia-related situations. Through role-playing, they showed how communication approaches can either increase frustration or create connection.
Lowe shared, “Dementia can change the brain, but it does not erase the person. A person with dementia can feel joy, love, and most importantly, they can feel connections.”
She added, “Connection is not dependent on a perfect memory. It lives in presence, tone, and personal relationships.”
Tinsley addressed another common question. What can we do now to reduce risk and avoid getting dementia risk?
While there is no guaranteed way to prevent dementia, she encouraged lifestyle choices that support brain health, including physical activity, protecting your senses, managing stress, and lifelong learning.
Importantly, the program also helped attendees distinguish between typical age-related changes and signs that may require further evaluation. This knowledge empowers individuals to seek help earlier rather than waiting for a crisis.
Another central message of the event was demonstrated: Planning ahead matters. When families delay conversations or decisions, they often find themselves making difficult choices under stress or in a crisis. When individuals have conversations early, they can reduce confusion, maintain dignity, and create clearer paths for care.
These critical conversations and planning may not remove the impact of dementia, but it can remove much of the chaos that occurs when the family is in a moment of crisis.
Tinsley concluded, “You can always find a connection with somebody facing dementia, whether it be through a reassuring touch, or music, or maybe it’s engaging with them in some of their old favorite hobbies. You can always connect with someone with dementia, no matter what stage they are in.”
Amy Patyk, Past Board Chairman of The West Center, closed the fundraising event by sharing her personal experience with dementia and reinforcing the importance of connection, understanding, and reaching out for support. Then she invited the attendees to support the Center’s mission.
That mission includes providing education for family and professional caregivers, as well as offering residential care, respite services, adult day programs, and in-home support.
At its core, “Know It Before You Need It” is about equipping the community with knowledge, resources, and confidence.
Because when it comes to dementia, understanding earlier can make all the difference.
About the James L. West Center for Dementia Care For 33 years, the James L. West Center for Dementia Care, a not-for-profit organization, has served those impacted by dementia. Established by Eunice West in honor of her late husband, James L. West, who passed away from dementia, the Center continues to build on its excellence in compassionate care and caregiver and dementia education by expanding its service lines to meet the community’s needs. The Center offers residential care, a Senior Day Program, Short-Term Respite Care, Short-Term Rehabilitation, Home Care, and professional and family caregiver education, which was recently rebranded as Dementia-IQ Powered by James L. West.
