Media Highlights

Making churches more welcoming for members with dementia: ‘We don’t want them to think they’re forgotten’

In this article, members of Alter congregations talk about how the program has directly impacted them and the person they are caring for. Check out this article to hear from members at Peter’s Chapel in Columbus, Georgia and Allen Temple AME in Atlanta, Georgia.

Emory’s Community in Action: Making African American Churches More Dementia Friendly

In this article, Dr. Fayron Epps discusses the motivation for creating culturally responsive programs, and the work Alter congregations are doing to make worship dementia friendly.

11 Alive Atlanta: Program Helps Church Members Facing Dementia

Dr. Fayron Epps discusses the latest work being done for African American congregations facing dementia.

Dementia Matters, Caregiving While Black: Dementia Care For Different Racial And Ethnic Groups

In this podcast, Dr. Fayron Epps talks about the unique experiences of African American caregivers and her lab’s work to provide education and assistance to their needs. Epps seeks to promote quality of life for families affected by dementia through research, education and service. 

From One Caregiver to Another, Episode 99: How to Include Dementia Caregivers

Join host Kay Coughlin as she talks to Fayron Epps, PhD, RN, about Fayron’s groundbreaking Alter Program. Alter was designed to bring people with dementia -and their caregivers- back to practicing faith. You’ll want to share this episode with your family and faith leaders!

Dementia Untangled: The Black Perspective and Dementia

This podcast explores unique topics related to dementia through conversations with physicians, experts, and community leaders—focusing on innovative ideas, practical strategies, and proven methods to create a supportive path for caregivers.

Interview with Dr. Epps on WIDU 99.7 FM

Listen about Faith Village Research Lab’s research and work in the African American and faith communities.

Presbyterian News Service Article on The Alter Program

Like its name implies, the Alter program was established for predominantly Black churches to help them better minister to their members and friends living with dementia — and for their caregivers, family members and friends as well.

Dr. Fayron Epps, a nurse and an assistant professor at Emory University in the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing

WSB-TV Atlanta Segment featuring Dr. Epps

African-Americans make up 13% of the population nationwide, yet they bear a third of the cost of caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s. While Alzheimer’s disease is the most common, it’s not the only form of dementia, a family of disorders that impact memory, judgement, and day-to-day life…

Dementia-Alzheimer with Dr. Epps

Surviving and thriving in a pandemic

Interview w/Dr. Epps about the Alter Program

Today we sit down with Dr. Fayron Epps, Assistant Professor at Emory University.  Dr. Epps will share information about a program to help churches become more dementia friendly.  If you know of a faith community who could benefit from this program please reach out to the Alter Program. 

Dinner and Dialogue: Dementia Friendly African American Congregations

As welcoming, compassionate environments, faith communities play a powerful role in offering engagement, support and spiritual respite for people living with dementia and their families. Join us for a webinar on creating dementia friendly African American congregations presented by the Alter Program, Faith United Against Alzheimer’s, and Dementia Friendly America. Our expert speakers will share strategies and practical approaches for fostering spiritual connection to support and uplift people living with dementia and their families. Bring a beverage, snack or dinner and join us for this lively conversation.

WATC TV 57 Atlanta Live: Promoting Mental Health and Dementia Awareness with Dr. Epps & Church Partners

Joyce Littel and Guests Talk Loving While Care Giving

Love and Relationships host Joyce Littel invited her panel of caregivers and experts to talk about the challenges people face when they are caring for a loved one who is suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. During each segment of the program,

Littel asked the following questions to her guests and listeners:

  • If you notice symptoms in your loved one, what do you do? 
  • What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease? 
  • What information can people retrieve when he or she is dealing with a loved one suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease? 

Littel’s guests include Tonya Miller, Mia Chester, Dr. Fayron Epps, caregivers Pastor Martin Jakes, Betty Jakes, and Camellia White. 

Black Parents Aging Podcast with Dr. Epps (Part II)

As promised, we have Dr. Fayron Epps back on the show! We just couldn’t have enough of her during our previous interview, and so we just had to bring her back. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, you definitely should.

Black Parents Aging Podcast with Dr. Epps (Part I)

Caring for an aging parent is a complex task. When dementia care is part of the picture, it becomes a lot more difficult. . Cognitive and behavioral changes from dementia can occur unpredictably, and parents may resist care.

If you are a caregiver for an aging parent with dementia, the first step is to understand the disease and some of the changes it causes. This is why in today’s episode, Nicola speaks to Dr. Fayron Epps, a nurse who has found her mission to educate African Americans on dementia and empower their church families who support them. Join Nicola and Dr. Epps as they speak about how to better equip ourselves with the knowledge of dementia, the importance of early detection, and how that helps improve the quality of life of anyone living with dementia. 

Alzheimer’s Association Article On Dr. Epps

“That’s why we’re proud to cast a spotlight on Alzheimer’s Association funded researcher Dr. Fayron Epps, a nurse who has found her mission to educate African Americans on dementia and empower the church families who support them.  

Dr. Fayron Epps is an Assistant Professor at Emory University, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. Dr. Epps has been a nurse for over 20 years and served in many clinical and leadership roles in the hospital setting. She received her BSN from Tuskegee University…”

Southern Christian Leadership Foundation Impactful Voices: A Town Hall Meeting On Dementia

Dr. Fayron Epps is keynote speaker at Town Hall Meeting sponsored by the SCL Foundation, Inc., with a focus on Dementia, in Tuskegee, Alabama.