About IDCC

Many years ago, I met a woman who worked with Mother Theresa in the rural areas of Pakistan. I was deeply inspired by her compassion, selflessness, and humanitarian spirit. At the time, I believed that making a difference meant traveling far away to help underserved communities across the world. But she gently told me something I have never forgotten:

“You don’t have to go to another country to help others. There is so much you can do right here at home, in your own backyard.”

Those words were spoken to me more than 30 years ago, yet they continue to resonate deeply with me today.

Fast forward to late 2014, shortly after I was appointed to the Riverside Commission on Aging. During one commission meeting, a man courageously shared the heartbreaking story of his wife’s dementia journey. Through tears and exhaustion, he described the overwhelming challenges they faced trying to navigate the disease, locate resources, and find support—not only for his wife, but for himself as her full-time caregiver.

As I listened, I saw not only his pain, but also the emotional toll caregiving had taken on him. He was depleted, heartbroken, and searching for help. I wanted him to know that his story mattered, that I was not simply hearing his words, but that I truly wanted to make a difference. At the time, I did not yet know what that difference would look like, but I knew something needed to change.

Sadly, I never had the opportunity to meet his wife, Debbie. Alzheimer’s disease had already taken her life at the young age of fifty-nine, more than a year before I heard her husband speak. His story profoundly impacted me. Listening to his struggle to find support, guidance, and compassionate care inspired me to take action so that others facing dementia would not feel so alone.

That day, I made a promise to myself—and I remembered the words spoken to me years earlier by that dedicated social worker in Pakistan: “In your own backyard.”

The Inland Dementia Care Resource Center was created to be a safe haven for individuals and families navigating the challenges of dementia. It is a place of compassion, hope, and support—a dementia care sanctuary where people can access trusted resources, advocacy, education, and guidance.

Under the roof of the IDCC, families will find a dedicated team of professionals committed to serving the community and walking alongside those affected by dementia with dignity, understanding, and care.

The mission of the Inland Dementia C.A.R.E. Center is to serve as a dedicated hub for the community, working with various non-profits, healthcare providers, and agencies to offer comprehensive resources, support, and education on dementia care, awareness, and related cognitive declines. Additionally, we aim to establish ourselves as a training center for first responders, social workers, healthcare coordinators, and professionals in senior health and dementia care to enhance their skills and knowledge to better serve the senior community.

In the upcoming year, the Inland Dementia C.A.R.E. Center aims to acquire a building to establish as our home, fostering collaboration with medical professionals, healthcare providers, and senior care agencies. Over the next two years, we will partner with the Riverside Police Department to develop a training program for first responders, enhancing their ability to assist individuals with dementia effectively. Additionally, we will establish a central database of critical information to aid first responders in locating missing persons with dementia so they can be provided with temporary care until they are reunited with their families.

Looking ahead, we plan to partner with first responder agencies to develop and deliver a comprehensive dementia awareness training program, equipping emergency personnel with the knowledge and skills to better recognize, understand, and respond to individuals living with dementia.