For the past several years, UNI’s Dementia Simulation House has helped students, caregivers, healthcare professionals and community members better understand the daily realities of living with dementia. Now, that work has a new place to grow.

A new Dementia Outreach & Education space in Bartlett Hall is expanding the services and learning opportunities already offered through the simulation house. The space will host cognitive screenings, family consultations, caregiver support groups, educational seminars and trainings designed to help people better understand dementia and respond with greater knowledge and care.

The outreach is rooted in the work of faculty and students in UNI’s Department of Family, Aging and Counseling. For students, the space creates opportunities to connect with community members and learn how professionals support people living with dementia and their families. Those experiences help bring classroom learning to life as students prepare for their future careers.

While the Dementia Simulation House will remain home to its immersive simulations, the Bartlett Hall space creates room for the conversations and support that often follow.

“In the past 4 years, we have brought over 5200 people through the simulation,” said Elaine Eshbaugh, professor of gerontology. “This has allowed us to see the need in the community and across the state of Iowa for more education and outreach for those living with dementia and their care partners. The new space in Bartlett will help to support caregivers and those living with dementia by allowing us to expand services like support groups, cognitive screenings and family consultations.”

The new space is home to a weekly caregiver support group that meets Tuesdays at 1 p.m., giving caregivers a chance to connect and share experiences with others who understand the challenges dementia can bring to individuals and families. The team will also continue offering free, confidential cognitive screenings for members of the public, along with family consultations for those seeking guidance or resources.

For Eshbaugh, the new space is about giving people practical support as they navigate the realities of dementia.

“There is no instruction manual for dementia, but we are excited to be able to provide a dedicated space where individuals with dementia and their care partners can be supported and learn practical strategies to live their best possible lives.”

The space will also host a series of free educational seminars throughout the fall, exploring dementia, brain health, caregiving and related topics. Sessions are open to college students, people living with dementia, caregivers, family members, healthcare professionals and anyone interested in learning more. Advance registration is required, with upcoming seminar details available on the Dementia Simulation House website.

In the months ahead, the space will continue to take shape. Plans include a room displaying dementia-friendly products and design features, giving visitors a chance to see practical tools that can make everyday environments easier to navigate. The team is also developing an area where groups can learn and practice dementia-friendly interaction skills during trainings.

Those additions reflect a broader goal: helping people move beyond awareness to better understand how they can respond in practical, compassionate ways.

The Dementia Simulation House, which opened in 2022, will continue to offer simulations that help participants experience some of the sensory, communication and environmental challenges associated with dementia. Together, the two locations allow UNI to offer both immersive learning and ongoing community support, creating more room for learning, connection and support for people affected by dementia.