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Dementia News + Notes | July 2026
💬 A message from Sara
Dear {{First Name}},
Do you have unanswered questions about the challenges of dementia? If so, chances are, someone else is wondering the very same thing.
That's why we're launching a regular Q&A video series from the Respite Care Charleston team. Each brief episode features a real question from a caregiver or Senior Moments member, answered by me (or another experienced team member).
Whether it's navigating challenging behaviors, improving communication, finding local resources, understanding disease progression, or simply making daily life a little easier, our goal is to share practical, compassionate guidance that helps you feel more confident and supported.
Best of all, the questions come from you! We'll post the answers to your questions on our Facebook and Instagram accounts so our entire RCC community can learn together.
No need to make it perfect—we're looking for real questions from real caregivers. We can't wait to hear from you!
Take care,
Sara Sara E. Perry Executive Director, Respite Care Charleston
🌟 RCC Spotlight: Meet Selina Livingston
We're so excited Selina Livingston is now part of the RCC team, serving as our new associate director. Selina brings more than 20 years of experience in healthcare operations, along with a Bachelor of Social Work from Benedict College and a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina.
Her passion for supporting families living with dementia is deeply personal. As the primary caregiver for her mom, who has vascular dementia, Selina is walking the path of both caregiver and advocate, giving her a unique understanding of the challenges our families face every day. In addition to providing leadership for our half-day memory care program, she also facilitates several RCC caregiver support groups. Selina lives in Summerville and is the proud mom of a son who is preparing to begin college this fall. We are thrilled to have her as part of the RCC family.
🏆 RCC named 2026 "Best Dementia Support Program" by HealthLinks Magazine
We are over the moon to have been honored by HealthLinks Magazine as "Best Dementia Support Program" in their 2026 Best In Health Awards!
Thank you to all who voted for us and who are part of the RCC family: staff, caregivers, volunteers and members. Together, we are all working to create MORE.GOOD.DAYS.
💻 New website resources for caregivers
We've added some content for caregivers that we hope you will find helpful. Under the Resources tab, you will find links to new videos and a variety of new downloadable guides. We hope that whether you like to learn by watching or reading, you will find something to make your days a little easier. We will continue to add to this online collection. We'll also be keeping an archive of our newsletters on the Resources webpage.
We've also added a new calendar to the Events page on the website. Descriptions and registration links will be included, and you can subscribe to this calendar. We will also be adding any closure notifications or program notes to this calendar.
🎺 Senior Moments treated to performance by musical guests
Our Senior Moments program coordinator, Amy Mauer, pulled some strings to get some horns! Members of this program, designed for those with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia, recently enjoyed music performed by two Lucy Beckham High School students. The young musicians play in several bands at the school and in the community. The pair has even performed at Carnegie Hall!
📆 Upcoming events + dates to remember
July 21 - Care Compass: Dealing with Daily Dementia Challenges ⏰ 1:30 - 3:00 pm 📍Lowcountry Senior Center (James Island) ✏️ Learn more or register here.
Aug. 20 - Care Compass: Dealing with Daily Dementia Challenges, Session 2 📍Waring Senior Center (West Ashley) ✏️ Learn more or register here.
Sept. 15 - Caregivers Reading Room book club on Zoom with author Raphael James "I Don't Want to Talk About It: A Journalist's Essays on Autism, Dementia, Religion, and God" 7:00 - 8:30 pm ✏️ Learn more or registerhere.
Sept. 17 - Care Compass Presented by Dr. Jacobo Mintzer - 7:30 pm 📍Location: Martin Luther Lutheran Church, James Island ✏️ More details coming soon!
📖 What we're reading, listening to and learning from: "I Don't Want to Talk About It: A Journalist's Essays on Autism, Dementia, Religion, and God" by Raphael James
In this soul-bearing memoir, award-winning journalist Raphael James shares his deeply personal journey as the son of a father with dementia and the father of a son with autism.
James hopes that his story "gives voice to the truths we'd often rather leave unspoken."
The author will join us in September as we discuss the book at our Caregiver's Reading Room meeting. Details in the 'Upcoming Events + Dates to Remember' section of this newsletter. The Charleston County Public Library has several copies of the book, or you can purchase it online here.
🥗 MIND Diet-inspired recipe from RCC Summer Spotlight Recipe: Zesty Avocado & Salmon Salad Bowls
This no-cook, assembly-only meal takes less than 10 minutes to prepare and hits multiple core pillars of the brain-healthy MIND Diet.
🧠 Why it works as a MIND Diet recipe:
Fatty Fish: Canned salmon is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which support memory + brain structure.
Olive Oil & Avocado: Excellent sources of healthy monounsaturated fats.
Beans: High in fiber + magnesium to support nerve transmission.
1 can (15 oz) low-sodium black beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 ripe avocado, diced or mashed
1/2 cup canned or thawed frozen sweet corn (adds a pop of color and natural sweetness)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Juice of half a lime * A pinch of cumin and salt to taste.
Directions
Rinse & toss: In a medium bowl, combine the drained salmon, beans, and corn. Use a fork to gently flake the salmon into bite-sized pieces.
Add healthy fats: Add the diced or mashed avocado, drizzle with olive oil, and squeeze the fresh lime juice over the top.
Season: Sprinkle with a dash of cumin and a tiny pinch of salt. Toss gently to combine. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Tip: Double and keep in fridge for up to two days. Just add a little more lime juice to keep avocado from browning.
😫 Tips for Beating Stress: Managing the feeling of frustration
Frustration is one of the most common, yet intense feelings that caregivers deal with. It's different than anger, sadness or grief, and some days, frustration can be flat-out exhausting.
One of the most important things to recognize when you're frustrated is realizing what's within your power to change–and what's not!
The Family Caregiver Alliance offers some great suggestions for managing frustration. Read the article here.
📰 Research News
FDA approves first non-antipsychotic drug to treat dementia-related agitation. Read here.
New research results on fish oil and supplements and cognitive decline. Read here.
Warning about fraudulent endorsements and claims about "Brain Honey." Read here.
💜 Caregiver Support Groups Schedule
North Mount Pleasant - 1st + 3rd Monday at All Saints Lutheran
Daniel Island 2nd + 4th Tuesday at Providence Church
James Island - 2nd + 4th Wednesday at Martin Luther Church
Johns Island - 1st + 3rd Thursday at St. John's Episcopal
Mount Pleasant - 2nd + 4th Friday at Mount Pleasant Presbyterian
West Ashley - 2nd + 4th Saturday at Waring Senior Center
All sessions from 10:00 am - noon. No pre-registration is required.
Do you have a topic you'd like us to cover or someone you'd like to shine a spotlight on? We'd love to hear from you! Please email us at info@respitecarecharleston.org.
Would you consider a gift to help us provide
MORE.GOOD. DAYS.?
If RCC has made in difference in your life, the life of a loved one,
or you just believe in our mission and want to help, please consider
making a gift so we can support more families in our community.
