Livemic Communications Podcast Network

Longtime Miles for Memories volunteer Pat Fosdick returns to Creating Dementia Solutions to shed light on a significant resource for caregivers in Calhoun County: The Miles for Memories Caregiver Retreat.

Click to hear about the 2026 retreat - and if it's past the date, listen anyway for information about the goals of the event, which will come around again in future years.

Episode Resources

Miles for Memories website
Miles for Memories technology
Sherii Sherban talks to Community Matters about MFM technology
More Creating Dementia Solutions episodes

ABOUT MILES FOR MEMORIES

Miles For Memories is a Calhoun County, Michigan organization created in 2013 to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Disease. Later in 2014, the vision was expanded to include all types of dementia. MFM raises money each year through sponsorships, community events, and grants to gather funds to create local programming for both the person living with dementia and the caregiver. Along with local efforts, 20% of the funds to prevention-related dementia research. Miles for Memories is a committee of 70-plus volunteers and are always looking for more to get involved.

Continuing the next series of Creating Dementia Solutions episodes, we explore the real-life experiences of individuals and families affected by dementia.

Through intimate conversations, each episode shares a unique story — from early memories and the moment of diagnosis to the challenges, small victories, and emotional journeys that follow. Also discussed is the caregiving component – and how folks have stepped into the caregiving role in support of a loved one with dementia.

Amanda Mekara, marketing director for Battle Creek's Northpointe Woods, shares her story about having been influenced by a caregiving family when she was a child. It has led to a multifaceted career helping others, particularly those affected by dementia.

Episode Resources

Miles for Memories website
Miles for Memories technology
Sherii Sherban talks to Community Matters about MFM technology
More Creating Dementia Solutions episodes

ABOUT MILES FOR MEMORIES

Miles For Memories is a Calhoun County, Michigan organization created in 2013 to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Disease. Later in 2014, the vision was expanded to include all types of dementia. MFM raises money each year through sponsorships, community events, and grants to gather funds to create local programming for both the person living with dementia and the caregiver. Along with local efforts, 20% of the funds to prevention-related dementia research. Miles for Memories is a committee of 70-plus volunteers and are always looking for more to get involved.

Continuing the next series of Creating Dementia Solutions episodes, we explore the real-life experiences of individuals and families affected by dementia.

Through intimate conversations, each episode shares a unique story — from early memories and the moment of diagnosis to the challenges, small victories, and emotional journeys that follow. Also discussed is the caregiving component – and how folks have stepped into the caregiving role in support of a loved one with dementia.

Miles for Memories longstanding relationship with Michigan State University researchers has provided significant connection and understanding around dementia research for years. This time on Creating Dementia Solutions, Dr. Graham Atkin and second-year med students Olivia Markham-Robinson and Rhea Raut talk about the personal stories that led (and are leading) them to a career helping people.

Episode Resources

Miles for Memories website
Miles for Memories technology
Sherii Sherban talks to Community Matters about MFM technology
More Creating Dementia Solutions episodes

ABOUT MILES FOR MEMORIES

Miles For Memories is a Calhoun County, Michigan organization created in 2013 to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Disease. Later in 2014, the vision was expanded to include all types of dementia. MFM raises money each year through sponsorships, community events, and grants to gather funds to create local programming for both the person living with dementia and the caregiver. Along with local efforts, 20% of the funds to prevention-related dementia research. Miles for Memories is a committee of 70-plus volunteers and are always looking for more to get involved.

Our continuing series featuring the personal stories of dementia has revealed something: Caregiving is critical in a person's dementia journey. Miles for Memories also knows a caregiver sometimes needs help and advice.

This time on Creating Dementia Solutions, Miles for Memories founder Sherii Sherban talks about a new caregiving concept under development called Caregivers for Alzheimer's and Related Dementia Support (CARDS). Sherii shares how the concept features a mentoring program, what will be a 24-hour online resource center - and the chance for anyone to be part of a dementia caregiver coalition.

Episode Resources

Miles for Memories website
Miles for Memories technology
Sherii Sherban talks to Community Matters about MFM technology
More Creating Dementia Solutions episodes

ABOUT MILES FOR MEMORIES

Miles For Memories is a Calhoun County, Michigan organization created in 2013 to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Disease. Later in 2014, the vision was expanded to include all types of dementia. MFM raises money each year through sponsorships, community events, and grants to gather funds to create local programming for both the person living with dementia and the caregiver. Along with local efforts, 20% of the funds to prevention-related dementia research. Miles for Memories is a committee of 70-plus volunteers and are always looking for more to get involved.

Continuing the next series of Creating Dementia Solutions episodes, we explore the real-life experiences of individuals and families affected by dementia.

Through intimate conversations, each episode shares a unique story — from early memories and the moment of diagnosis to the challenges, small victories, and emotional journeys that follow. Also discussed is the caregiving component – and how folks have stepped into the caregiving role in support of a loved one with dementia.

This time, Stacy Wines - CEO of Carewell Services Southwest in Battle Creek - talks about her caregiving experiences. Like many, they started early and evolved personally - and in a career.

Episode Resources

Miles for Memories website
Miles for Memories technology
Sherii Sherban talks to Community Matters about MFM technology
More Creating Dementia Solutions episodes

ABOUT MILES FOR MEMORIES

Miles For Memories is a Calhoun County, Michigan organization created in 2013 to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Disease. Later in 2014, the vision was expanded to include all types of dementia. MFM raises money each year through sponsorships, community events, and grants to gather funds to create local programming for both the person living with dementia and the caregiver. Along with local efforts, 20% of the funds to prevention-related dementia research. Miles for Memories is a committee of 70-plus volunteers and are always looking for more to get involved.

Continuing the next series of Creating Dementia Solutions episodes, we explore the real-life experiences of individuals and families affected by dementia.

Through intimate conversations, each episode shares a unique story — from early memories and the moment of diagnosis to the challenges, small victories, and emotional journeys that follow. Also discussed is the caregiving component – and how folks have stepped into the caregiving role in support of a loved one with dementia.

On this episode, Rep. Steve Frisbie of Battle Creek, who spent his career as a first responder and paramedic, talks about how he encountered dementia in his life - which was not only through his career. Frisbie also discusses how Miles for Memories opened his eyes to a mission of movement, programming and research.

Episode Resources

Miles for Memories website
Miles for Memories technology
Sherii Sherban talks to Community Matters about MFM technology
More Creating Dementia Solutions episodes

ABOUT MILES FOR MEMORIES

Miles For Memories is a Calhoun County, Michigan organization created in 2013 to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Disease. Later in 2014, the vision was expanded to include all types of dementia. MFM raises money each year through sponsorships, community events, and grants to gather funds to create local programming for both the person living with dementia and the caregiver. Along with local efforts, 20% of the funds to prevention-related dementia research. Miles for Memories is a committee of 70-plus volunteers and are always looking for more to get involved.

Continuing the next series of Creating Dementia Solutions episodes, we explore the real-life experiences of individuals and families affected by dementia.

Through intimate conversations, each episode shares a unique story — from early memories and the moment of diagnosis to the challenges, small victories, and emotional journeys that follow. Also discussed is the caregiving component – and how folks have stepped into the caregiving role in support of a loved one with dementia.

On this episode, Miles for Memories volunteer Christi Losinski, marketing director at Lakeview Assisted Living in Battle Creek, discusses the journey that led her to identify with the Miles for Memories mission, volunteer and become a caregiver.

Episode Resources

Miles for Memories website
Miles for Memories technology
Sherii Sherban talks to Community Matters about MFM technology
More Creating Dementia Solutions episodes

ABOUT MILES FOR MEMORIES

Miles For Memories is a Calhoun County, Michigan organization created in 2013 to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Disease. Later in 2014, the vision was expanded to include all types of dementia. MFM raises money each year through sponsorships, community events, and grants to gather funds to create local programming for both the person living with dementia and the caregiver. Along with local efforts, 20% of the funds to prevention-related dementia research. Miles for Memories is a committee of 70-plus volunteers and are always looking for more to get involved.

Continuing the next series of Creating Dementia Solutions episodes, we explore the real-life experiences of individuals and families affected by dementia. 

Through intimate conversations, each episode shares a unique story — from early memories and the moment of diagnosis to the challenges, small victories, and emotional journeys that follow. Also discussed is the caregiving component – and how folks have stepped into the caregiving role in support of a loved one with dementia.

On this episode, Miles for Memories volunteer Elizabeth Raleigh, Director of Resident Arts and Technology at the Calhoun County Medical Care Facility, talks about how her early childhood experiences with older family members helped shape her understanding of how things change as people age and how music can help those suffering with Dementia. 

Episode Resources

Miles for Memories website
Miles for Memories technology
Sherii Sherban talks to Community Matters about MFM technology
More Creating Dementia Solutions episodes

ABOUT MILES FOR MEMORIES

Miles For Memories is a Calhoun County, Michigan organization created in 2013 to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Disease. Later in 2014, the vision was expanded to include all types of dementia. MFM raises money each year through sponsorships, community events, and grants to gather funds to create local programming for both the person living with dementia and the caregiver. Along with local efforts, 20% of the funds to prevention-related dementia research. Miles for Memories is a committee of 70-plus volunteers and are always looking for more to get involved.

Continuing the next series of Creating Dementia Solutions episodes, we explore the real-life experiences of individuals and families affected by dementia. 

Through intimate conversations, each episode shares a unique story — from early memories and the moment of diagnosis to the challenges, small victories, and emotional journeys that follow. Also discussed is the caregiving component – and how folks have stepped into the caregiving role in support of a loved one with dementia.

On this episode, we reconnect with Miles for Memories volunteer Michelle Lennon - marketing director with Reflections Memory Care and Heritage Assisted Living - who talks about how her first experience with caregiving opened a door to a rewarding career.

Episode Resources

Miles for Memories website
Miles for Memories technology
Sherii Sherban talks to Community Matters about MFM technology
More Creating Dementia Solutions episodes

ABOUT MILES FOR MEMORIES

Miles For Memories is a Calhoun County, Michigan organization created in 2013 to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Disease. Later in 2014, the vision was expanded to include all types of dementia. MFM raises money each year through sponsorships, community events, and grants to gather funds to create local programming for both the person living with dementia and the caregiver. Along with local efforts, 20% of the funds to prevention-related dementia research. Miles for Memories is a committee of 70-plus volunteers and are always looking for more to get involved.

Continuing the next series of Creating Dementia Solutions episodes, we explore the real-life experiences of individuals and families affected by dementia. 

Through intimate conversations, each episode shares a unique story — from early memories and the moment of diagnosis to the challenges, small victories, and emotional journeys that follow. Also discussed is the caregiving component – and how folks have stepped into the caregiving role in support of a loved one with dementia.

In this episode, long time Miles for Memories volunteer Anne Clark shares her experiences as a caregiver for several family members. Anne explains her learning process about caregiving, including the idea that it's possible to give too much care. 

Episode Resources

Miles for Memories website
Miles for Memories technology
Sherii Sherban talks to Community Matters about MFM technology
More Creating Dementia Solutions episodes

ABOUT MILES FOR MEMORIES

Miles For Memories is a Calhoun County, Michigan organization created in 2013 to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Disease. Later in 2014, the vision was expanded to include all types of dementia. MFM raises money each year through sponsorships, community events, and grants to gather funds to create local programming for both the person living with dementia and the caregiver. Along with local efforts, 20% of the funds to prevention-related dementia research. Miles for Memories is a committee of 70-plus volunteers and are always looking for more to get involved.