Melissa Denham

Early lessons: My connection to dementia began as a little girl helping my Gramma care for my Papa, who lived with dementia and Parkinson’s disease. I didn’t understand why some days he knew me and others he didn’t, but I knew that helping him meant helping her. That experience stayed with me and eventually led me to the work I do today.

The Grove: I founded The Dementia Grove to give families education, resources and individualized support throughout their journey. I want caregivers to have a place where they feel heard and can get guidance they can actually use. I don’t just want to teach families about dementia. I want to help them live through dementia.

For the assist: A dementia diagnosis does not define a person. They may not be able to play 18 holes of golf anymore, but maybe they can play nine. Keep calling, keep inviting them and keep showing up. Meet them where they are and help them continue doing the things that bring them joy.

The giving season: I started Silver Tree Project after seeing seniors in long-term care who had no family or visitors. In 2025, our volunteers visited five facilities, sang Christmas carols for more than 150 people and gave each person a donated gift bag. No one should feel forgotten, especially during the holidays.

That simple gift: During our first year, I gave a woman a gift bag with a blanket, hat, scarf and other items. She hugged the blanket, started crying and told me it was the best Christmas gift she had ever received. A blanket. I will never forget how much that simple gift meant to her.

Finding balance: I tell caregivers they have to take time for themselves and I try to follow that advice. My husband, Joe and our boys are incredibly supportive, and we spend our family time fishing, boating and watching the boys play sports. I can say without a doubt that this is what I’m supposed to be doing.