The tribute below features a message from Kim Warchol, some insights from Sharon Host, and many fun pictures to celebrate Sharon's time at DCS.  Please enjoy as we celebrate Sharon together.

A Letter from Kim Warchol 

President and Founder of Dementia Care Specialists at CPI

Have you ever had the good fortune to meet someone you thought was absolutely amazing and then have your hope of being able to work together come true? I am one of those lucky ones.

Several years ago, I met Sharon Host and instantly fell in love with her passion for making the world a better place for those living with Alzheimer’s/dementia. As I got to know her better, I was impressed with her immense skills in using Claudia Allen’s model and I learned of her vast experience as an occupational therapist working in dementia care and as a leader of a memory care team.

Sharon agreed to join Dementia Care Specialists (DCS), originally as a Global Professional Instructor, and she immediately energized our team and our customers. Why? Because Sharon Host is one of the most brilliant, kind, caring, passionate, fun, inspiring, patient, creative, innovative, changemakers and colleagues you could ever hope for. And that is why this announcement is bittersweet.

Sharon will be retiring from DCS March 31, 2025, after nearly 13 years with us. First, I am so happy that after such an illustrious career, Sharon is ready to embark on a well-deserved, wonderful new life chapter.  And I will miss Sharon dearly. But I will find solace knowing she is off on some fun new adventure and remembering that I am one of the luckiest people alive to have had such a tremendous work partner for so many years.

Sharon leaves a legacy in the field of occupational therapy, dementia environmental design, dementia training, and dementia care. Sharon also leaves an unforgettable imprint forever held in all our hearts.

Thank you, Sharon, for choosing us so many years ago. Thank you for serving our clients so very well. Thank you for always giving your best to enable those living with dementia, their loved ones, and care partners to thrive! You have blessed us all. Happy retirement!

Sincerely,

Kim Warchol, OTR/L, President and Founder of Dementia Care Specialists at CPI

Reflections of My Time at Dementia Care Specialists (DCS)

by Sharon Host 

I wanted to reflect on my time at DCS and how it has impacted my life as I prepare to retire at the end of March 2025.

Dementia Care Specialists is a special company because it was founded by someone who has walked the walk and talked the talk in memory care. For me, that meant the company was designed to be mission driven, which was important because it was aligned with my purpose in life, meaning it was the perfect fit for me.

Joining DCS was a great start to the sunset part of my career as an occupational therapist focused on cognitive impairment. I want to share with you some of my learnings and loves of working for DCS:

• Being able to devote my time and talent to dementia care was like a kid getting to live at a fun playground, every-single-day!
• I love the “ah-ha” moment when someone I was teaching/coaching realized using the approaches we teach really work
• I love that it’s okay to dance with people with dementia during the workday and to give care partners permission to do the same
• Life is never so busy that I can’t stop and help a person living with dementia who may be struggling to get through an activity
• Caregivers need our support and time just as much as the person living with dementia
• WE are the ones who can make living with dementia fun so what’s stopping us?
• Helping even one person living with dementia and/or their caregiver is important and makes a difference in the world
• Being part of a team of caring people (like my DCS team) CAN change the world, one person at a time for the better

So, as the sun sets on my time at DCS and rises on my new season called retirement, I hope these learnings and loves will filter into your life as well. Much love and thanks to my team for nearly 13 wonderful years of working together to make the world a better place for everyone, especially people living with dementia.

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Published: March 18th, 2025

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