Welcome to The Watauga Dementia Project

About Us

Founded in 2021 with the support of grant funding and the Friends of the Western Watauga Branch Library, The Watauga Dementia Project (WDP) was created to raise awareness about dementia in Boone, North Carolina, and the surrounding Blue Ridge region. What started as a program offering monthly support groups for both dementia patients and caregivers has since expanded into a comprehensive initiative focused on education, advocacy, and innovative solutions for those affected by dementia.

WDP’s mission is to foster a more informed and compassionate community by hosting dementia-awareness events, as well as providing access to cutting-edge technology designed to improve the quality of life for individuals living with dementia. Through the use of tools like Interactive Projectors and robotic “Companion Pets”, WDP helps create meaningful engagement, reduce anxiety, and offer comfort to residents in memory care.

In 2021, WDP hosted two successful “Stuffed Animal Adopt-A-Thon” events at local memory care facilities, distributing over 100 plush animals to residents. These tactile companions have proven to provide comfort and emotional support for individuals with dementia. Later that year, WDP worked with Obie to bring one of their Interactive Projector into the Deerfield Memory Care Facility. This award-winning technology has been shown to enhance cognitive, motor, and social skills through interactive games tailored for seniors.

Collaboration is at the heart of WDP’s work. In partnership with the Watauga Project on Aging, Appalachian State’s Dementia Awareness Club, Friends of the Western Watauga Branch Library, and other local organizations, The Watauga Dementia Project continues to advocate for dementia and Alzheimer’s awareness, while providing resources and support for those in need.

Through these efforts, WDP is committed to making Boone and the Blue Ridge area a more dementia-friendly community.