In communities across the United States, innovative programs are stepping up to support seniors living with dementia and the family members who care for them—offering much-needed respite, connection, and creative engagement. From the quiet hills of Mill Valley, California, to the cultural heart of Williamstown, Massachusetts, local organizations are reimagining what it means to care for those facing memory loss, and the results are nothing short of inspiring.
On February 17, 2026, the Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist Church in Mill Valley announced its ambitious plan to launch “Three Cheers,” a day social program specifically designed for seniors with early to moderate dementia. The goal? To give family caregivers a much-needed break and to ensure their loved ones can enjoy meaningful social time in a safe, supportive environment. As Tricia Wiig, a leader at the church, told the Mill Valley City Council, “By the year 2030, one in three Marin residents would be 60 years of age or older, so we began looking into ways to better serve seniors in our community.”
Wiig’s motivation is deeply personal. “I remember how my mom had cared for my grandma with Alzheimer’s and how burned out and exhausted she became,” she reflected at the council meeting. “And I thought about how both of them would have benefited from this respite program, which reassures caregivers that their loved one is enjoying time in a safe social environment.”
The program is set to open its doors in mid-2026, starting with 15 clients and an equal number of volunteer caregivers for four hours on two weekdays. If all goes well, the church hopes to expand to four days each week. The cost is set at $120 per day, with lunch included—a far cry from the $35 an hour or more that private caregivers typically charge for individual care, according to Louise Carter, a member of the congregation and one of the program’s organizers. “The program will be open to anyone who qualifies as having early to moderate dementia, can manage their own bathroom needs and does not require medication administration during the program,” explained Marla Hastings, another leader with extensive experience managing retirement communities.
“The participant and their caregiver will be interviewed in advance before they are accepted into the program,” Hastings added, emphasizing the thoughtful approach to enrollment. The initiative will be established rent-free at the church, and the team has already secured several key grants: $10,000 from the Alabama-based Respite for All Foundation for startup costs, $31,300 from Marin County supervisors, and $2,500 from Marin Community Foundation for marketing efforts. Additional support has come in for church improvements and operating costs, but the program’s first-year budget is estimated at $200,000—a significant sum, but one the organizers are determined to raise, with hopes of eventually offering tuition assistance to families in need.
City leaders have rallied behind the effort. Mayor Max Perrey expressed gratitude, saying, “Let us know how we can help and just thank you so much for what you are doing.” Councilmember Stephen Burke pointed out, “This is the biggest blind spot in Marin County at the leadership level. Very little money is invested in our rapidly aging—probably the oldest—county in California.” Vice Mayor Caroline Joachim called the program “a lifeline,” while Councilmember Urban Carmel noted, “People don’t move out of Mill Valley. People don’t move out of Marin. They stay here.” The council pledged to provide letters of support for grant applications and to help expedite the state licensing process, which Carter described as a daunting 181 pages of regulations under the California Department of Social Services.
Dr. Kyle Belek, a San Rafael plastic surgeon, also spoke passionately about the need for such services: “There’s a stretch of illness between acute, acute treatment and end-of-life care that can sometimes last for years, and, in that stretch, families are often on their own. I found this out the hard way.” He added, “Programs like Three Cheers respite are not luxuries. They are bridges. They preserve dignity for those living with chronic illness. They protect the mental health of caregivers, and perhaps most importantly, they protect relationships from being consumed by the mechanics and fatigue of caregiving.”
While Mill Valley’s “Three Cheers” is still in its planning stages, across the country in Williamstown, Massachusetts, a similar spirit of support has been thriving for over a decade. The Clark Art Institute’s “Meet Me at the Clark” program has, for 13 years, welcomed people living with dementia and their caregivers into its galleries for art-based tours and discussions tailored to their unique needs. Kristin Bengston, Head of Gallery Education at the Clark, described the initiative’s mission: “The primary goal of the [Meet Me at the Clark] program is to encourage self-expression, meaningful interactions, and a positive social experience for people with dementia, the people who love them, and the professionals involved in their care.”
Docents—volunteer educators, many with personal experience caring for loved ones with dementia—lead small groups through the museum, sparking conversations and helping participants engage with art in ways that can unlock memories and foster companionship. The American Brain Foundation has highlighted the value of such programs, noting that connecting to a person’s autobiographical memory “is important in dementia care because it taps into the person as a human being.”
“Underneath the shell of memory-loss, the confusion, and the sadness, there is a person with a heart that will always remember,” Erin Bryant poignantly stated, capturing the emotional core of the program. Caregivers, too, find solace and joy in these shared experiences. One survey respondent said, “Caregiving is challenging, and it’s a gift to be able to participate in a program like this and see my loved one enjoy himself.”
Meet Me at the Clark is offered free of charge, but registration is required due to limited capacity. Tours are held on select Mondays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., when the museum is closed to the public, ensuring a peaceful and safe environment. Spring 2026 dates are set for March 16, April 20, and May 18, with multiple small-group tours during each session, typically serving between 20 and 40 people per event. The Clark’s docents receive specialized training from dementia experts and use a curriculum manual developed by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, which has become a model for over 100 museums nationwide.
The Clark’s program helps reduce social isolation, encourages intellectual stimulation, and supports caregivers through shared, positive experiences. In addition, it demonstrates how art can be a powerful tool for wellness, even in the face of memory loss—a lesson that resonates far beyond museum walls.
Both “Three Cheers” and “Meet Me at the Clark” reflect a growing recognition that dementia care is not just about medical needs, but about preserving dignity, fostering joy, and supporting the entire family. As more communities look for ways to serve their aging populations, these programs offer a blueprint for compassion and creativity in action.