Reimagining Dementia Care: Innovations Reshaping the Industry

Listen in on an enlightening discussion on the future of dementia care with thought leaders James Lee, Carrie Aalberts, Nicole Will, and Adria Thompson. Looking back on their visit to The Hogeweyk, the groundbreaking dementia village in the Netherlands, our panel shares key insights and takeaways from this innovative model. Beyond Hogeweyk, they explore emerging trends, transformative care approaches, and the future of dementia support in 2025 and beyond.
Whether you’re a caregiver, healthcare professional, or industry leader, this conversation will inspire new perspectives on creating more compassionate and effective dementia care environments.
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Event Participants

Nicole Will, Founder of willGather
Nicole Will envisions a world where the journey of care and aging is shared, ensuring that older adults and caregivers are not just supported but truly seen and heard by the brands and organizations shaping their lives. She is committed to amplifying the voices of those who care and those who are cared for, bridging the gap between lived experiences and meaningful change in the care economy. As the founder of willGather, a boutique marketing agency specializing in aging services, caregiving, and senior living solutions, she partners with organizations to craft human-centered narratives, drive impactful engagement, and develop strategies that resonate. She is also a champion of Think Tank, a collaborative platform fostering innovation and deeper conversations in aging. Nicole is the creative force behind the top-rated willGather Podcast: Navigating the World with Your Aging Loved One, a trusted space for heartfelt stories, expert insights to elevate caregivers, and forward-thinking solutions. With a background in Social Gerontology, hands-on caregiving experience, and leadership as a senior living Director, she bridges advocacy with strategy—helping brands build trust, establish thought leadership, and create real, lasting impact in the care ecosystem.

Carrie Aalberts, aka Dementia Darling
Carrie Aalberts, also known as Dementia Darling, has a Master of Science focused in Gerontology and has been working in senior care for a decade. She created Dementia Darling to provide a safe place for dementia caregivers to find community, support, resources and education. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok @dementiadarling.

Adria Thompson, Speech-Language Pathologist & Founder of Be Light Care Consulting
Adria Thompson is a speech-language pathologist specializing in dementia care. She earned her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Communication Disorders from Eastern Kentucky University. As the founder of Be Light Care Consulting, Adria dedicates her time to helping caregivers through educational content and personal consultations. Her approach is hands-on, using her extensive knowledge and a strong social media presence to support both professional and personal caregivers. Adria also works closely with senior care brands to enhance their services and reach. Known for her practical and empathetic approach, she is a frequent speaker at industry events, where she shares effective, real-world strategies for improving dementia care.

James Lee, CEO & Co-Founder of Bella Groves
James Lee has served in the senior living profession for 15 years, beginning as a caregiver and today is a co-founder and the CEO of Bella Groves, a dementia education and care support organization in central Texas. His unique lens of the aging services industry spans multiple frontline roles, regional and senior level leadership roles, and most recently as an owner of several small businesses. He is a prominent thought leader in senior living and is a frequently invited guest of podcasts, industry news outlets, professional conferences and private corporate events. James is the creator of The Level Up Leadership Podcast and a unique mastermind event in senior living called the Think Tank. He resides in San Antonio, Texas, and is the proud alumnus of Texas Lutheran University and the University of Texas at Austin – McCombs School of Business (MBA).

Daniel Lawson, Co-Founder and President of Business Affairs at Viking Pure Solutions
Daniel Lawson spent over a decade in the medical device industry, earning unparalleled insight into the intricacies of our health care environment and some of the biggest needs yet to be addressed. Daniel partnered with Viking Pure’s co-executive team to introduce a disruptive, patent protected, and environmentally-conscious technology to transform cleaning and infection control in commercial facilities across a wide range of industries. He is dedicated to creating a movement to remove TOXIC CHEMICALS from the environment and to challenge the status-quo of what it means to truly clean and disinfect safely, sustainably and effectively.