Community Leaders Unite to Build a Dementia-Friendly Mifflin-Juniata
BELLEVILLE, Pa. (May 6, 2026)—A community action team of local business and professional leaders is coming together to make Mifflin and Juniata counties more dementia friendly. Comprised of professionals from across the region—including banks, recreational centers, health care, and the chamber of commerce—the team is focused on identifying ways the community can better support people living with dementia and their caregivers.
“A dementia-friendly community is one that supports people living with dementia and those who love them—reducing stigma, creating moments of connection, and ensuring everyone feels safe, respected, and included,” said Geli Losch, Executive Director of Memory Services & Community Impact at Valley View Retirement Community and community co-lead for these efforts.
She added that even small changes in understanding and approach can make a meaningful difference. “When we learn more, we do better."
“Our goal is to bring together a community action team made up of partners from different sectors that truly reflect our communities, in Mifflin and Juniata Counties,” said Chelsea Reed, Area Agency on Aging Director at MJRSC–The Care Network and co-lead for the initiative. “By working together and sharing responsibility, we can make meaningful, lasting change.”
Throughout
the remainder of the year, the team will engage community members
from diverse sectors to identify strengths, gaps, and priorities for
action. Goals include expanding support and resources for individuals living
with dementia and their care partners, as well as increasing education and
awareness among businesses and emergency responders who regularly interact with
individuals experiencing memory loss.
This initiative is part of Dementia Friendly Pennsylvania, a statewide network of communities taking action to foster quality of life for people living with dementia and those who care for them.
How to Get Involved
Dementia Friendly Mifflin-Juniata will host free Dementia Friends informational sessions to help community members better understand dementia and learn how to support individuals with memory loss and their caregivers. The next session will take place on Wednesday, May 27 at 5:00 p.m. at Valley View Retirement Community.
The group will also host Memory Cafés on the last Tuesday of each month this summer (June 30, July 28, August 25). These free gatherings offer a safe, welcoming space for individuals living with dementia—along with their care partners, family members, and friends—to connect with others on a similar journey. The first café will be held at the Juniata Valley YMCA, with future locations to be announced.
To RSVP for an information session or Memory Café, contact Reception at Valley View Retirement Community at 717-935-2105 x 1200 or info@vvrconline.org.
To learn more
about Dementia Friendly Mifflin-Juniata, visit:
https://www.dementiafriendlypa.org/dementia-friendly-communities/current-communities/mifflin-juniata