Member since October 2025
Gayon Buchanan, LPN, CDP, CADDCT, CDSGF, is a Program Director, dementia care strategist, and licensed practical nurse with more than a decade of leadership experience across long-term care, assisted living, and memory care. As founder of Bella Cares LLC, she empowers families, professionals, and organizations to deliver evidence-informed, dignity-first dementia care.
A Certified Dementia Practitioner, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer, and Dementia Support Group Facilitator, Gayon leads a dedicated memory care program known for stabilizing teams, elevating resident well-being, and building family trust through person-centered programming and staff development.
She is the author of Beyond the Diagnosis: Dignity First Dementia Care for Families & Professionals and Grace for the Caregiver’s Heart, and a sought-after speaker featured on regional and national stages, including the Green Cities Conference. Gayon also serves as an advocate with the Alzheimer’s Association, advancing dementia awareness, education, and policy.
I’m driven to transform the way the world cares for people living with dementia, through education, advocacy, and programs that uphold dignity at every stage of the journey.
Mom’s Garden began as a simple courtyard project at the memory care community where I serve as Program Director. What started as a calming space for residents and families soon became something more—a symbol of growth, beauty, and connection, even in the midst of decline. We named it Mom’s Garden to honor the mothers, grandmothers, and caregivers whose love continues to bloom long after memories fade. For me, it’s a daily reminder that dignity and joy can still flourish, even in life’s hardest seasons
The aha moment for Bella Cares, LLC came when I realized that dementia education isn’t just about clinical understanding—it’s about human connection.
After years of leading memory care teams and supporting families, I noticed that most caregivers weren’t struggling because they lacked compassion; they were struggling because they lacked guidance, language, and community. That’s when it clicked: caregivers didn’t just need training—they needed empowerment.
Bella Cares was born from that realization—a space where faith, education, and empathy meet to transform how we see, support, and serve those living with dementia. It wasn’t just about building a business. It was about answering a calling to help caregivers navigate dementia with clarity, compassion, and confidence—and to remind them they are never alone on this journey.
Designed for frontline staff and leaders, this training translates dementia best practices into real‑world skills for assisted living, memory care, and home care teams. You connect the science of brain change with practical approaches to communication, behaviors, and task‑heavy workflows. Teams leave with shared language and tools that improve resident experience, reduce avoidable distress, and support staff confidence.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Explain how dementia affects perception, communication, and behavior in ways that show up during care tasks.
Demonstrate at least three concrete techniques for approaching, engaging, and redirecting residents to prevent escalation.
Identify two changes they can make in their own workflow or environment to better support person‑centered dementia care.
Mom’s Garden began as a simple courtyard project at the memory care community where I serve as Program Director. What started as a calming space for residents and families soon became something more—a symbol of growth, beauty, and connection, even in the midst of decline. We named it Mom’s Garden to honor the mothers, grandmothers, and caregivers whose love continues to bloom long after memories fade. For me, it’s a daily reminder that dignity and joy can still flourish, even in life’s hardest seasons
The aha moment for Bella Cares, LLC came when I realized that dementia education isn’t just about clinical understanding—it’s about human connection.
After years of leading memory care teams and supporting families, I noticed that most caregivers weren’t struggling because they lacked compassion; they were struggling because they lacked guidance, language, and community. That’s when it clicked: caregivers didn’t just need training—they needed empowerment.
Bella Cares was born from that realization—a space where faith, education, and empathy meet to transform how we see, support, and serve those living with dementia. It wasn’t just about building a business. It was about answering a calling to help caregivers navigate dementia with clarity, compassion, and confidence—and to remind them they are never alone on this journey.
Designed for frontline staff and leaders, this training translates dementia best practices into real‑world skills for assisted living, memory care, and home care teams. You connect the science of brain change with practical approaches to communication, behaviors, and task‑heavy workflows. Teams leave with shared language and tools that improve resident experience, reduce avoidable distress, and support staff confidence.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Explain how dementia affects perception, communication, and behavior in ways that show up during care tasks.
Demonstrate at least three concrete techniques for approaching, engaging, and redirecting residents to prevent escalation.
Identify two changes they can make in their own workflow or environment to better support person‑centered dementia care.