FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: 

Heidi Gil
Chief Strategy Officer
hgil@livewell.org | 203-305-5735 

Lillian Zipeda 

Chief of Marketing & Communications, YSN 

lillian.zepeda@yale.edu 

Southington, CT — September 5, 2025 — In a groundbreaking step toward transforming brain health and dementia care, the Main Street Community Foundation—through the Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust—has awarded funding to support two innovative community-based initiatives led by LiveWell and the Yale School of Nursing (YSN). 

With deep local roots and a shared commitment to improving lives, LiveWell and YSN will launch with Southington stakeholders: 

• Dementia-Positive Southington, led by LiveWell, to create a compassionate, inclusive community that celebrates the value and contributions of people living with dementia.
  • The first FINGER-based Cognitive Wellness Clinic in the U.S., led by the Yale School of Nursing in partnership with LiveWell’s Resilient Living Center, focused on brain health promotion and dementia prevention.

These initiatives were inspired by the insights of more than 80 Southington residents and stakeholders during the Dementia Positive Southington Summit. The resulting community-driven model will promote brain health across the lifespan, empower those affected by cognitive change, and ensure equitable access to evidence-based prevention and care. 

Dementia-Positive Southington: A Movement for Change 

LiveWell, a nationally recognized leader in dementia care and innovation, will use this funding to expand its work in Southington, positioning the town as a national model for dementia-positive communities. Over the next three years, the initiative will deliver: 

• Brain health programs and free cognitive wellness resources
  • Dementia training for local businesses, first responders, and health professionals
  • Certification of dementia-positive environments
  • Community engagement through ambassadors with lived experience
  • Intergenerational events, advocacy, and public awareness campaigns 

“This initiative reflects the heart of Southington,” said Michael Smith, President & CEO of LiveWell. “Together, we are showing that inclusion, compassion, and innovation can create a future where people living with or concerned about cognitive change are fully seen, supported, and empowered.” 

Yale-LiveWell FINGER Clinic Pilot: A First-of-Its-Kind Brain Health Model 

The Yale School of Nursing, in partnership with LiveWell, will launch a FINGER-based cognitive wellness clinic at LiveWell’s Resilient Living Center, led by internationally recognized dementia prevention expert Dr. Miia Kivipelto, YSN Deputy Dean Dr. Tatiana Sadak, and YSN Dean Dr. Azita Emami. 

Modeled on the landmark Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER), the pilot applies proven multidomain lifestyle interventions—exercise, nutrition, cognitive training, and vascular health management—to slow cognitive decline. 

Under the direction of Dr. Amanda Swan, DNP, WHNP-BC, ANP, IFMCP, and supported by YSN faculty, the 15-month pilot will provide: 

• One-on-one wellness consultations with individualized heart and brain health screenings 

• Personalized health reports and referrals 

• Monthly public education sessions on cognitive resilience and risk reduction 

• Quarterly dementia risk-reduction workshops for clinicians and healthcare providers 

• Public brain health promotion events 

• Development of replicable training and evaluation materials for broader use 

“Our goal is to translate research into practice,” said Dr. Sadak. “This project creates sustainable pathways to deliver FINGER-informed care, engage communities in prevention, and equip healthcare professionals to support cognitive health.”

“This initiative reflects YSN’s mission to advance health equity and healthy aging,” said Dr. Emami. “By embedding the FINGER model within our academic and clinical programs, we ensure this science reaches the patients and providers who can benefit most.”

 

“The FINGER model has shown that brain health can be supported at any age,” added Dr. Kivipelto. “This partnership is a step toward proactive, informed, and empowered approaches to aging in the U.S.” 

Lasting Impact for Southington and Beyond 

“Together, these projects address urgent needs: an aging population, increasing rates of cognitive decline, and limited access to prevention and care. The Foundation’s investment will ensure Southington is not just responding to these challenges, but leading the way.” Susan Sadecki, President & CEO of Main Street Community Foundation. 

“The grants provide the people of Southington the opportunity to reduce their risk of dementia—and for those living with it, to take active steps toward better brain health,” said Michael Smith. 

To learn more about Dementia-Positive Southington and the FINGER Clinic, visit: www.livewell.org