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, long time Miles for Memories volunteer Connie Skidmore returns to talk about her deeply personal journey caring for her husband who lived with dementia. Connie shares her early experiences with other relatives whose memory loss helped her see, years later, the signs her husband was displaying. As well, Connie discusses her approach to caregiving during that time.

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, Kim Smallcombe - community programs manager at CareWell Services Southwest - shares the personal story of she and her brother. They did what not everyone can: Accepted 24-hour caregiving responsibility for their mother 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.

If you're a fan of the Livemic Communications-produced program called Community Matters - and you're wondering why you can't find it on the Livemic Communications Podcast Network - we have answers!

Click to hear Richard Piet talk about how to find Calhoun County, Michigan's only local interview program.

Episode Resources
BattleCreekPodcast.com

In 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 founder Sherii Sherban begins this seriea of episodes, discussing her personal experiences with dementia and caregiving which led her to found the organization.

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.

When most people think of hospice, they think of end of life care, but that's not the full scope of services they provide. Carolle Hicks from Oaklawn Hospice discusses what other services they provide and how they can help people with a terminal diagnosis take control of the time patients have left.

Episode Resources

Oaklawn Hospice

13444 Preston Drive
Marshall, MI 49068

Phone: (269) 789-3939

About Oaklawn

Oaklawn was founded in 1925 as a 12-bed hospital in a residential home, funded by a group of visionary philanthropists. Now, almost ten decades later, we’ve evolved into a highly regarded regional health care organization, licensed for 77 acute care beds and a 17-bed inpatient psychiatric unit. We’ve continued to be an independently owned not-for-profit hospital, with our main campus residing on the same site as the original hospital, providing facilities, equipment and technology that are usually only found at larger health systems. We enjoy a reputation for advancing medicine and providing compassionate, personal care. Our service area includes Calhoun County and parts of Branch and Eaton counties with a medical staff of more than 300 providers representing over 55 specialties. For information, visit www.oaklawnhospital.org.

In 2025, Creating Dementia Solutions is looking deeper into what The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care has indicated are ways people can reduce their risk of dementia.

Miles for Memories Founder Sherii Sherban talks about some of the wide-ranging topics covered from the Lancet List in 2025 and looks ahead to 2026 at some of the programs they'll offer for those battling dementia and their caregivers.

Episode Resources
The Lancet Commission Risk Factors for Dementia

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.

In 2025, Creating Dementia Solutions is looking deeper into what The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care has indicated are ways people can reduce their risk of dementia.

Among those factors: Smoking and Vaping

In this episode, Honalee Johnson of Battle Creek's Substance Abuse Council talks about the organization's efforts to help young people quit vaping - the process of inhaling vapor through a battery-powered device which can include nicotine and other cancer-causing chemicals.

Episode Resources
The Lancet Commission Risk Factors for Dementia

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.

In this episode of Oaklawn Health Matters, Rene Pere, Occupational Therapist at Oaklawn Hospital, discusses how to know when it's time to turn in the keys and enter driver retirement. Pere talks about Driver Risk Assessment exams, one of the services provided at Oaklawn Physical Rehabilitation clinic, as well as resources available depending on whether driver retirement is permanent or temporary.

Episode Resources

Oaklawn Physical Rehabilitation

13697 15 Mile Rd Marshall, MI 49068

Phone: (269) 781-6030

Fax: (269) 789-7547 (for referrals)

Oaklawn Medical Group – Beadle Lake Primary Care

14231 Beadle Lake Rd Battle Creek, MI 49014

Phone: (269) 962-0441

About Oaklawn

Oaklawn was founded in 1925 as a 12-bed hospital in a residential home, funded by a group of visionary philanthropists. Now, almost ten decades later, we’ve evolved into a highly regarded regional health care organization, licensed for 77 acute care beds and a 17-bed inpatient psychiatric unit. We’ve continued to be an independently owned not-for-profit hospital, with our main campus residing on the same site as the original hospital, providing facilities, equipment and technology that are usually only found at larger health systems. We enjoy a reputation for advancing medicine and providing compassionate, personal care. Our service area includes Calhoun County and parts of Branch and Eaton counties with a medical staff of more than 300 providers representing over 55 specialties. For information, visit www.oaklawnhospital.org.