Dementia Insights Conference: Navigating the Journey Together

Partners in Aging, Inc., established in 2009, is a collaborative initiative uniting local organizations—both for-profit and non-profit—with the shared mission of enhancing awareness of resources available to seniors in the Fredericksburg community. In partnership with the University of Mary Washington Continuing and Professional Studies, we are pleased to invite you to this educational conference on dementia.

This event is designed to provide valuable insights, practical strategies, and comprehensive support for family and professional caregivers. Attendees will gain hands-on training techniques, learn how to identify critical resources and explore solutions to common caregiving challenges.

Additionally, the conference will highlight advancements in dementia research, offering a closer look at groundbreaking developments in basic science, biomarkers and drug therapies. Join us for an engaging and educational experience that empowers caregivers and fosters a deeper understanding of dementia care. We hope you will join us on Tuesday April 21, 2026 from 9am-1pm.

This event is open to caregivers for those with Dementia, including participants seeking and not seeking Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Catered breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Event Agenda

7am-8am
Vendor Set Up

8am-9am
Registration/Vendors/Breakfast

9am
Welcome – Gina Mullins, Chairperson, Dementia Conference Committee

9:05am
Stephanie Courtney, Partners in Aging President

9:10am
Healthy Generations – Patricia Holland, Executive Director

9:15am-10:30am
Dr. George Bloom – The Quest to Conquer Alzheimer’s Disease

10:30am-10:45am
Break

10:45am-11:15am
Lissa Greenlee, Chapter Executive for the Central, Western, Southeastern & Greater Virginia Chapters of The Alzheimer’s Association – Research Update/Community Resources

11:15am-12:30pm
Loretta Veney – “Lego Serious Play” Activity

12:30pm-1:00pm
Evaluation Forms/Community Connections/Lunch

Event Speakers

photo of George Bloom George Bloom
George Bloom is a Professor of Biology, Cell Biology and Neuroscience at the University of Virginia (UVA), where he served as Chair of the Department of Biology (2017-2020).During the past 20 years his lab discovered numerous pathological processes that occur during the earliest, pre-symptomatic stages of AD, and depend on the coordinated activities of amyloid-β and tau, the respective building blocks of the plaques and tangles that accumulate in AD brain.
He earned a BA in Biology and History, and a PhD in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania and received postdoctoral training at the University of North Carolina and the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology.
Dr. Bloom is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a Zenith Fellow of the Alzheimer’s Association and has served on the editorial boards of Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, Scientific Reports and Cytoskeleton.

 

Loretta Woodward Veney is an inspirational speaker and certified LEGO® Serious Play® facilitator who offers a wealth of information, encouragement, and humor to her audience. Loretta is the author of Being My Mom’s Mom, Refreshment for the Caregiver’s Spirit, and Colors Flowing from My Mind. In 2006 after her beloved mother Doris was diagnosed with dementia, Loretta began learning everything she could about the disease, becoming a fierce advocate for her mom in the process. Loretta and her mom have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The NY Times, and PBS special. In 2019 Loretta was named John Hopkins Medicine’s Trailblazer of the Year.
Loretta’s engagement with her mom using LEGO bricks resulted in her facilitation of LEGO Serious Play workshops for those with dementia and their caregivers.

 

 

 

 

 

photo of Lissa GreenleeLissa Greenlee
Lissa Greenlee serves as the Chapter Executive for the Central & Western Virginia, Greater Richmond, and Southeast Virginia Chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association. Lissa holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and a master’s degree from the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia.
As a certified Research Champion with the Alzheimer’s Association, Lissa stays well-informed on the latest advancements in dementia research including diagnostics, therapies, and prevention. She is passionate about sharing this knowledge with the community.

 

Date & Location

Date: 4/21/2026
Time: 9am – 1pm
Location:
University of Mary Washington Stafford Campus
125 University Blvd., University Hall
Fredericksburg, VA  22406

Non-CEU Conference Registration

CEU Conference Registration

Contact Information

Gina Mullins
Home Instead
(540) 372-0720

Sponsors

Partners In Aging Logo with a blue circle on the letter P, a yellow circle on the word "in" and a green circle on the letter A
Healthy generations logo with flower bouquet
Spring Arbor Cottage Memory Care logo with a line art flower at the top
Watercrest Fredericksburg with a fleur de lis type of graphic above the letter W