Beyond DNA & Patient Records: Events in October Educate About Connection Between Aging Well & Remembering the Past

Posted on by RIck Voight
Beyond DNA & Patient Records: Events in October Educate About Connection Between Aging Well & Remembering the Past

October is Family History Month —
October 10th is World Mental Health Day

September 18, 2025, Charleston, SC – Collaborators across the country are holding events during October’s Family History Month and World Mental Health Day on October 10th. The goal of the events is to educate the public about the social and health benefits of reminiscing, recalling stories, and family history to improve the mental health of older adults and create connections/preserve legacies across communities, generations, and organizations that are often not connected.

National events already scheduled include events in Indiana, South Carolina, and Florida, with more planned throughout 2025 and 2026, to bring together the public, members, organizations, and senior living locations to focus on the important topics of aging well and brain health. Most events are open to the public, who are invited to join experts to discuss the future of aging beyond DNA and patient records (see details below).

Event collaborators include The National Institute for Dementia Education, CERTUS Institute, Allen County Public Library, Indiana Genealogical Society, Yeh Innovation, Vivid-Pix, Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, International African American Museum, South Carolina Historical Society, National Genealogical Society, FamilySearch, Charleston County Public Library, The Villages Genealogy Society, and York County Library, among others.

Events for Family History Month/World Mental Health Day in October:

Fri., October 3:         Where: Fort Wayne, Indiana
9 AM-4 PM ET          “Transform Your Activity Calendar & Really Stand Out”
Online/in-person     Innovative Tools to Boost Joy, Engagement, and Reminiscence in Eldercare
Register at: https://acpl.libnet.info/event/14479897
Location: Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, IN 46802

9 AM-4 PM ET          “Transform Your Activity Calendar & Really Stand Out”

Online/in-person       Innovative Tools to Boost Joy, Engagement, and Reminiscence in Eldercare

Sat., October 11:       Where: North Charleston, South Carolina
10 AM – 3 PM ET     “Preserving Memories”
In-person                   Celebrate North Charleston’s Past — Preserve it for the Future
Location: Keith Summey North Charleston Library, 3503 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405

Sat., October 18:     Where: Fort Mill, South Carolina
8:30 AM-5 PM         York County Library Genealogy & Family History Expo
In-person                   Register: https://www.yclibrary.org/genealogy-expo
Location: Courtyard by Marriott, Fort Mill, SC

Wed., October 22:     Where: The Villages, Florida
10 AM-11 AM              “Don’t let your memories fade”                   
In-person                   Open to VGS members and paid guests
Location: Savannah Center, 1575 Buena Vista Blvd, The Villages, FL 32164

Sat., October 25:       Where: IAAM Wadmalaw Community Center
10 AM – 3 PM           “Preserve Wadmalaw Island African American History”              
In-person                   Free to the Public

Wadmalaw Community Center
5605 Katy Hill Rd, Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487

For further information on coordinating and hosting similar events in your community, please contact: https://www.vivid-pix.com/events/.

About National Institute for Dementia Education (NIDE)’s Standards of Excellence Council
The National Institute for Dementia Education (NIDE)’s Standards of Excellence Council is led by Dr. Joshua Freitas, the Chief Education Officer and Chair of the Board. The Council focuses on bridging the gap between research, education, and advocacy to improve the quality of life for those with dementia. NIDE works with organizations to share industry trends and enhance quality care, advocating for quality education and resources for those living with dementia and their families. The council comprises industry professionals, researchers, advocates, and practitioners. To learn more, visit NID.Education.

About CERTUS Institute
CERTUS Institute is a pioneer in advancing the treatment of Dementia through cutting-edge lifestyle research and innovative practices. Based in Florida, CERTUS Institute serves a global audience by developing scientifically backed approaches that transform the lives of individuals living with Dementia. The Institute provides education, lifestyle options, and family support nationally, empowering both individuals and their loved ones. Through its innovative CERTUS MAPS® program, the Institute integrates lifestyle medicine into evidence-based care to treat the symptoms of Dementia, transforming the lives of residents. To learn more, visit www.certusseniorliving.com.

About the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
The Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center fosters lifelong learning and discovery by helping individuals explore their family stories. As the nation’s largest public library family history destination, the Genealogy Center houses more than 1.2 million physical items and provides access to all major genealogy databases. The collection continues to expand by at least 500 items each month. Open seven days a week, the Center is staffed with experts ready to assist visitors.

About Yeh Innovation
Yeh Innovation is led by Dr. Charlotte Yeh, an innovative and passionate ambassador for healthy aging, Charlotte brings over 30 years of experience in healthcare to drive transformative programs that prioritize the well-being and resilience of older adults. Her strategic vision and commitment to patient care have earned her honors such as the 2024 Academy of Geriatric Medicine Gerson Sanders Award and a place among Modern Healthcare’s 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives in 2021. Her career spans the breadth of the healthcare ecosystem, having worked for a payer, the government, and AARP in the private sector. Starting as an emergency physician, she has initiated numerous “first-evers,” advocating at every level—provider, payer, patient, bureaucrat, and advocate. Now, her focus is on the people.

About Vivid-Pix
Vivid-Pix invents and harnesses technologies, making it simple for individuals, families, and organizations to relive memories. Their motto, “Don’t Let Your Memories Fade™,” describes the importance of photos and activities that nurture brain health, improve cognition, assist family historians and caregivers, and create connections. Vivid-Pix integrates their photo Reminiscence Therapy (pRT) research and family history activities into products and services for simple operation, to have fun, and age well. For more info, see https://www.vivid-pix.com.

The Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc.
(AAHGS) is a non-profit 501(c)3, which strives to preserve African-ancestored family history, genealogy, and cultural diversity by teaching research techniques and disseminating information throughout the community. Their primary goals are to promote scholarly research, provide resources for historical and genealogical studies, create a network of persons with similar interests, and assist members in documenting their histories.

About the Center for Family History at the IAAM
The Center for Family History at the International African American Museum (IAAM) is a leading national resource for African American genealogy and ancestry research. Located in Charleston, South Carolina, the Center offers visitors the tools, archives, and expert guidance to explore and reclaim their personal histories.

About South Carolina Historical Society
The mission of the SCHS is to collect, preserve, and share the stories of all South Carolinians and use these stories—from significant historical events to everyday moments — to promote visibility, understanding, engagement, and conversation. As the premier private repository of South Carolina’s historical records, SCHS, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is committed to preserving and making as accessible as possible the full documentary history of our state. 

About The National Genealogical Society (NGS)
NGS supports the aging community through its vast network of over 8,000 family historians and 500 genealogy organization members representing hundreds of thousands of people interested in family history. Family history activities, including reading, research, analysis, and writing, are brain-healthy activities that keep people engaged and socially connected. For more info, see: https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/.

About York County Library
The mission of the York County Library is to enrich and sustain the lives of the people of York County by providing library services that meet their informational, recreational, and lifelong learning needs.

Press Contact:
Karen Thomas
Thomas PR
kthomas@thomaspr.com
(631) 549-7575 http://www.thomaspr.com 

Video: https://vimeo.com/1107816991

Photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PUp6MZdFaJ0FFBVQcUrhDM20PrhPx8rD?usp=drive_link

Family History Month Photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vMbHpIWFLJScQmkTECxYVGDLn9-PbFyL?usp=sharing

Vivid-Pix Logo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BcteRWTWhxJnmpj9nXgbn-vTZuabcl_Z/view?usp=sharing

Press Kit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16UHfGOkp_tgqoFMmnQPf44DXgASEwDGV?usp=sharing