Outreach Ministry: Spotlight On Beyond Dementia Coalition
Grace Episcopal Outreach MInistry Spotlight
Bonus content on the Glimpses of Grace podcast feed
Welcome to the next episode of the Grace Episcopal Outreach Ministry Spotlight, a series on the Glimpses of Grace podcast highlighting community partners supported by the Grace Episcopal Outreach Ministry in Gainesville and Hall County, Georgia. Each episode features local organizations making a measurable impact through service, advocacy, and compassionate support.
The Measurable Power of Connection in Dementia Care
Dementia care is often framed as a medical problem. Kila Acey argues the deeper crisis is isolation, and her work is showing communities how to turn connection into real quality of life for adults living with dementia. Bruce Leyton sits down with Kila Acey, founder of Ember and Grace LLC and director of Beyond Dementia Coalition’s isolation reduction efforts, to unpack how programs like Reading to Adults with Dementia, Grandfriends, and Pet Therapy are transforming care in churches, schools, and senior living communities. You’ll discover how structured reading programs create conversation and comfort, why intergenerational partnerships help students and residents learn from each other, and how certified therapy dog teams bring moments of calm and joy when words fall short. Kila also shares how her team measures success through engagement, mood, social interaction, caregiver feedback, and volunteer retention – not just attendance. This conversation goes beyond awareness and into action, showing what it looks like to honor dignity, purpose, and meaningful connection at every stage of the dementia journey.
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The Glimpses of Grace podcast is a ministry of Grace Episcopal Church in Gainesville, Georgia. We are passionate about supporting the spiritual growth of souls, and we hope these sermons and conversations meet you where you are and enrich your soul as we all continue to make meaning in the world today.
Glimpses of Grace on Spotify
Summary & Chapters
In this conversation, Bruce Leyton and Kila Acey discuss the importance of community partnerships in dementia care, focusing on the personal and transformative nature of their work. Kila shares her insights on the significance of reducing isolation for adults with dementia and highlights various innovative programs aimed at fostering meaningful connections, including reading initiatives, intergenerational programs like Grandfriends, and pet therapy. They also delve into the importance of measuring the impact of these programs on the emotional well-being of individuals living with dementia.
00:00 Introduction to Community Partnerships and Dementia Care
03:08 Understanding Dementia: A Shift in Perspective
05:53 Isolation Reduction for Adults with Dementia (IRAD)
09:04 Innovative Programs: Reading, Grandfriends, and Pet Therapy
11:51 Measuring Success: Impact and Outcomes in Dementia Care