A dementia diagnosis changes everything—for the person living with it, and for every family member who loves them. That reality drove the Episcopal Retirement Services (ERS) Center for Memory Support and Inclusion (CMSI) to update its Dementia Guide in 2025, with one goal in mind: to make sure no family has to navigate that journey alone.
We are proud to announce that the updated Dementia Guide has received a 2026 Gold Award from the Hermes Creative Awards—one of the most prestigious honors in the marketing and communications industry.
The Hermes Creative Awards recognize the very best work in the marketing and communications field. Entries are judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals, one of the largest, oldest, and most respected evaluators of creative work in the industry. A Gold Award represents the highest tier of recognition Hermes offers.
Receiving this honor for a no-cost community resource speaks to ERS and CMSI’s mission to support individuals and families beyond the walls of retirement and healthcare communities, impacting the broader community.
The Dementia Guide has been ERS’ most downloaded resource since its first launch in 2012. For more than a decade, it has served as a beacon of hope and a lifeline for individuals and families navigating the challenges of dementia. Recognizing its profound impact, the CMSI team launched an updated guide in November 2025. The newest version contains meaningful, up-to-date, and empowering information for individuals and care partners facing a dementia diagnosis.
Since its launch, the guide has been downloaded 450 times, and nearly 2,000 physical copies have been distributed to individuals and families across the Tri-state area.
"Seeing the response to our updated Dementia Guide has been truly heartwarming. I witness firsthand how overwhelming a dementia diagnosis can be for the individual, and for everyone who loves them,” says Shannon Braun, director of CMSI. “Knowing that this guide is meeting families in those moments with real, practical answers means everything to us. To have that work recognized with a Gold Award is a meaningful affirmation that our mission is making a difference."
From general information about dementia, including symptoms, diagnoses, what to expect, communication tips, and brain health strategies, to practical tools for navigating day-to-day challenges, the improved Dementia Guide serves as a vital resource for anyone impacted by memory loss.
"What moves me most about this recognition is knowing that the resource being honored is one that anyone can access, completely free of charge. We believe every family navigating dementia deserves high-quality guidance and support, regardless of their circumstances,” says Megan Bradford, vice president of middle market and ministry. “This award affirms that belief, and it motivates us to keep raising the bar for future CMSI resources.”
About CMSI's Mission
The updated Dementia Guide is just one example of the meaningful work CMSI does. Established in 2020, the Center has become one of the region's strongest programs, extending ERS' expertise in memory care into the broader community at no cost to participants.
Through strong community and healthcare partnerships with dementia experts, including those at the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and the Giving Voice Foundation, CMSI serves individuals with dementia and their care partners by providing support, education, and programming, while connecting individuals with resources and assisting with transition planning. Additionally, the Center supports ERS staff with training and helps new families adapt to our memory support households.
Related Blog: Updated Dementia Guide Offers Answers, Hope, and Connection
Thanks to the generosity of donors and local foundations, all CMSI programs and services are offered free of charge—removing barriers so that everyone impacted by dementia has access to support and connection. CMSI is committed to building a more dementia-inclusive community through initiatives like education and training for local businesses and first responders, offering insights on how to respond with compassion and care when communicating with those living with memory loss. CMSI also offers a calendar of enrichment programs that bring enrichment to individuals and care partners alike.
Those programs include partnerships with organizations such as the Cincinnati Art Museum, Contemporary Arts Center, and the Taft Museum of Art to offer With Art in Mind; the American Sign Museum for Minds & Signs; with the Cincinnati Zoo for Wild About Minds; and with Keys for Success music therapists to present Songs in Mind, a 10-week choir experience. Together, these programs reflect a simple but powerful belief: that a life with memory loss can still be a life full of meaning, connection, and joy.
"I'm so proud of the CMSI team and our partners at Anstey Hodge for this well-deserved recognition. The Dementia Guide has been a trusted resource for families for more than a decade, and this award is a beautiful reflection of the work we do every day to enrich the lives of older adults,” says Laura Lamb, president and CEO. “We are just as excited about what lies ahead, and we are committed to building a community where those living with dementia and their care partners feel supported, included, and valued."
Download the updated Dementia Guide for free today and get clear, compassionate answers to your most pressing questions—from understanding a diagnosis to communication tips, brain health strategies, and practical tools for daily living.
Learn more about the ERS Center for Memory Support and Inclusion:
TheERSCenter.org | 513.966.5620 | sbraun@erslife.org
