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Baltimore County funds seven creative engagement programs for people with dementia
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Summary
Dementia Friendly Baltimore County, led by the Baltimore County Department of Aging, is funding seven community programs—including memory cafes, choirs and nature series—through a four-year mini-grant program to provide shared activities for people with dementia and their care partners.
Emily Kearns, a dementia specialist and coordinator for Dementia Friendly Baltimore County, said the county’s program is expanding community-based activities for people living with dementia and their caregivers through a mini-grant process.
"So for the past 4 years, we have had a mini grant program," Kearns said, describing a public request for proposals that funds nonprofits to offer "creative engagement for caregivers and those living with dementia." She said the 2026 slate includes seven grantees providing memory cafes, nature series and integrated choirs.
The effort is led by the Baltimore County Department of Aging and is part of Dementia Friendly America, a national movement to raise awareness and build local supports. Kearns said the county’s leadership team—"more than 50 folks who meet quarterly"—sets priorities such as growing dementia-friendly businesses and expanding access to programs in neighborhoods across the county.
Memory cafes were highlighted as a core model. "I call it restorative respite," Kearns said, explaining that these gatherings let care partners and people with dementia participate together in storytelling, crafts, music and refreshments, restoring social connection rather than separating caregivers from their loved ones for respite.
Kearns listed this year’s funded partners and sites, which include Golden Age Village at the Islamic Society of Baltimore, Jewish Community Services, Morning Star Baptist Church (a new site), Neighborhood Companions, Talmar (a horticultural and therapeutic center), Iris Music Project (which will run an integrated choir), and a nature series at Wealth of the Journey. She said the programs are distributed across the county so residents from Pikesville to Dundalk can access them.
For more information, Kearns directed viewers to the Baltimore County Department of Aging’s caregiver support program and provided direct contact information: "My direct email is dementiafriendly@baltimorecountymd.gov, or they can call me directly, (410) 887-4751," she said. The host also noted the Maryland Access Point of Baltimore County (MAP) can be reached at (410) 887-2594 for questions about older adults and persons with disabilities.
Kearns described volunteer and engagement opportunities: residents can join the leadership team, serve as a trained presenter or "champion" after a free two-hour virtual training based on a national curriculum, or join working groups that meet monthly to help businesses become more accessible to people with cognitive challenges. She said presenters are asked to present at least once per year.
The episode closes with the host noting the program’s resources and where the show can be viewed with open captioning on the Baltimore County government YouTube channel.
