NORTH BETHESDA, Md. (May 5, 2026) – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 7 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s dementia. This number underscores the need for education and resources to address the growing public health challenge.
The 16th Annual Sara and Samuel J. Lessans Healthcare Symposium will bring together leading physicians and healthcare professionals to explore the latest research, techniques and approaches reshaping how we support individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. The event will be held May 7, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Woodmont Country Club, with virtual attendance available.
Teepa Snow, a distinguished occupational therapist and dementia educator and founder of the internationally recognized Positive Approach to Care program, will deliver presentations during both the morning session and the afternoon luncheon.
Snow’s approach was recently in the national spotlight through her work with the Bruce Willis family as they navigate his diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia.
“The growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia demands attention,” said Dr. Elisa Gil-Pires, executive vice president of medical affairs/chief medical officer and medical director at Charles E. Smith Life Communities. “The symposium is an opportunity to bring together leading experts to share evidence-based strategies that can make a difference for those living with brain changes, regardless of whether they live at home or in senior living.”
Snow’s morning presentation will offer practical strategies for supporting individuals living with brain change. Her interactive afternoon address will introduce attendees to the GEMS™ States of Brain Change, which classifies dementia into six stages. This framework helps caregivers understand, adapt, and provide support based on the specific cognitive and physical changes in each stage.
Additional sessions will examine ways AI can be used to support caregivers, improve outcomes, explore cognitive changes associated with aging and early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, and define strategies for enhancing senior well-being through visual design.
The symposium is a partnership between Charles E. Smith Life Communities and Suburban Hospital, a member of Johns Hopkins Medicine. It is made possible by the generosity of Drs. Ellen and Stuart Lessans, in memory of Stuart’s parents, Sara and Samuel J. Lessans.
In-person attendees will have the opportunity to connect with and explore resources from organizations serving older adults and their families. Participating sponsors include: Aging Well Eldercare, Artis Senior Living and Heartland Hospice.
About Charles E. Smith Life Communities
Charles E. Smith Life Communities (CESLC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Jewish faith-based organization serving more than 1,300 older adults annually, including nearly 1,200 on its 38-acre campus in North Bethesda, Maryland, and approximately 200 in-home clients throughout the Greater Washington region. Founded in 1910, CESLC is among the largest single-site senior living campuses in the nation, featuring a wide range of living options and services, including independent apartment living (Revitz House and Ring House), assisted living (Cohen-Rosen House and Landow House), and long-term and post-acute care (Hebrew Home of Greater Washington). CESLC is committed to empowering older adults by offering meaningful connections, intellectual engagement, artistic expression and cultural exploration. CESLC also provides outpatient senior-focused medical care (Hirsh Health Center) and offers the region’s only temporary shelter exclusively serving victims of elder abuse (ElderSAFE™ Center). Additionally, CESLC provides personalized care that empowers older adults in Montgomery County, Maryland and Washington D.C., to live safely and independently in the comfort of their homes (SmithLife® Homecare).
