Provided by AARP Virginia
Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium opened its website for registrations to its annual conference, the largest dementia conference in the region focused on caregivers. In its 39th year, the conference presents up-to-date educational information in treatment, research, support and services to promote the well-being of caregivers and those who receive their care.
The conference will be held on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.
Registrants can gain valuable insights and practical tips on managing physical and emotional symptoms, as well as coping with stress. Keynote speakers are Barry Jacobs, Julie Mayer and Rachael Wonderlin. All three are professionals in psychology, dementia care and aging.
The program will open with a keynote address from Jacobs and Mayer, clinical psychologists and co-authors of several books, including AARP Meditations for Caregivers and The AARP Caregiver Answer Book. In an interactive presentation, they will address the seven most common worrisome challenges for dementia caregivers.
Wonderlin will provide the closing keynote address. An internationally recognized dementia care expert and educator, Wonderlin will present “The Missing Piece for Dementia Communication.” Her talk will focus on reducing agitation and anxiety by helping caregivers understand and address what is true for the person in that moment and respond in a way that aligns with their perception.
The conference program includes breakout sessions covering medical care plans, elder law and long-term care planning; LEGO®️ Serious Play®; hands-on caregiving skills, everyday self-care techniques and alternative support systems in an ever-changing landscape.
An exhibit hall will be available to explore resources provided by local professionals and government agencies. The open format encourages participants to gather useful tips and tools intended to help ease their day-to-day responsibilities while making personal connections to build a supportive community.
The full agenda, speaker list, exhibitors and registration link can be found online at nvdcc.org.* The $35 conference fee includes keynote speakers, breakout sessions, access to the resource fair, continental breakfast, lunch, materials and a certificate of attendance. For more information or to request accommodation for any type of disability, inquiries are welcome at (703) 489–3000. *nvdcc.org is not an AARP website. Any information provided is subject to the host organization’s privacy policy.
Since 1986, the conference has brought together family caregivers and professionals who deal with caregiving issues related to dementia. Helping people take purposeful steps toward choosing how they live as they age, AARP Virginia is a long-standing consortium member.
Major sponsorship support for the 39th Annual Caregiver’s Conference are Goodwin Living, Home Instead, Kensington Senior Living, Loudoun Senior Interest Network (LSIN) and Loudoun Area Agency on Aging.
About nvdcc
Northern Virginia Dementia Caregivers Consortium’s mission is to provide an annual conference for caregivers of persons with dementia.
Northern Virginia Dementia Care Consortium Members:
- AARP Virginia
- Alexandria Department of Community and Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services
- Arlington Aging and Disability Services
- Fairfax Area Agency on Aging
- Goodwin Living
- Inova ElderLink
- Inova Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center
- Insight Memory Care Center
- Loudoun County Area Agency on Aging
- Prince William County Area Agency on Aging
AARP is the largest organization working on behalf of people age 50 and older and their families in the Commonwealth. To learn more about AARP Virginia, like them on Facebook at facebook.com/aarpvirginia and follow @AARPVa on X at x.com/aarpva.
