Celebrating our 40th!

Sharing the memories and impact Insight has had in the Fairfax community

Presenting a Proclamation in honor of Insight's 40th!
Left to right: Kathy MacDonald, board member; Anita Irvin, executive director; Tiffani Moore, board president; Chairman Jeff McKay; Supervisor James Walkinshaw, and Supervisor Rodney Lusk.

Four Decades of Dementia Care

On Thursday, July 18th, Insight Memory Care Center held a community celebration in honor of our 40th Anniversary. We welcomed friends new and old to visit the center, enjoy food and drinks, and most of all, share in the memories and impact Insight has had in the Fairfax community over the last four decades.

While many in attendance had been to the center before, we took the time to spotlight some of our newest programs and activities. Guests could try out the Virtual Reality goggles that we use to reminisce with our participants (who doesn’t want to remember a great beach trip or sightseeing tour!), try their hands at winning a game through the Obie Interactive Technology system, or relax in the Multi-Sensory Room with a neck massage or fiber-optic display. To not forget where we came from, there was also a history display to browse with news clippings, photos, and more; not to mention all the wonderful photo posters and slideshows on display throughout the center!

We were grateful to be joined by Chairman Jeffrey McKay, Supervisor Rodney Lusk, and Supervisor James Walkinshaw from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at the event, where they issued a proclamation in honor of our many years of service in the community. Chairman McKay shared how grateful he was to be in Northern Virginia, knowing that our services are not available everywhere, saying,

"Knowing that you're here, supporting people in our community, is so important to us on the Board of Supervisors."

Finally, we were truly honored to have our founder, Lin Noyes Simon, join us for our celebration. We gifted her with artwork created by our day center participants; a painting of an activity chair covered in butterflies. As we envisioned this piece, we thought about all the activities, engagement, and joy that a simple chair in the day center can represent. The butterflies symbolize continued growth, and how each day can bring something new and exciting for our participants – and for Insight. Back in 1984, Lin had this amazing vision of that joy that our participants deserved each day, and we truly thank her for her dedication to families living with memory impairment, both then, and over the last 40 years. She shared with attendees,

“Our why was to take care of people with dementia, so that their family members could have a break. I will say WE did so and so, and I mean that gratefully and graciously, because it was never just me. Why did you do it? People needed help. And people who understood what Alzheimer’s does to families supported this place from the very, very beginning.”

We will continue to celebrate our 40th Anniversary throughout the year, first by reading all the lovely notes guests left on their favorite memories of Insight! We are planning more fun for Adult Day Services Week in September, and our annual fundraising gala, Paintings & Pairings, for October 4, 2024.

Many thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with us, and who have been a part of our story for the past 40 years. We don’t know what the next 40 years will hold, but we know that as long as people need help - thanks to our community of support - Insight will be here to provide care.

To view all the photos, visit our 40th Celebration Album with Refract Photography.