Mercy leader in aging, dementia support recognized with Worldmaker Community Weaver Award

CEDAR RAPIDS — When Kathy Good started creating Mercy Cedar Rapids’ Family Caregivers Center in 2014, there was one question that became the North Star in her journey: “What do caregivers do when they don’t have the support they need?”

By then, it was a topic she was well versed in. By the time the center opened in December 2015, she had spent 12 years caring for her late husband, Dave, after his diagnosis with a visual variant of Alzheimer’s at age 56.

“It’s like wandering in the wilderness,” she said, answering her own guiding question about 10 years later. “Caregiver centers don’t exist in a lot of places. We’ve got stressed out caregivers, many of whom die before their (care recipient,) because they’re so stressed.”

In seeing Dave to the end of his journey, Good figured some things out. But, as she reached an age considered traditional for retirement, her personal journey was far from over.

In June 2023, the senior director opened The Chris & Suzy DeWolf Innovation Center for Aging & Dementia — believed to be the first of its kind as the only innovation center in the United States connected to a residential senior living community.

Today, she is a beacon in that wilderness. Now, she is recognized with a new spotlight.

New recognition from the Worldmaker Resilience Institute

On Dec. 19, Good was announced as the third annual winner of the Community Weaver Award, a recognition from the Worldmaker Resilience Institute for honorees who are actively dedicated to collaboration, equity and connection.

The international nonprofit with an office in Cedar Rapids provides evidence-based education and tools so veterans, first responders and front-line workers can thrive and overcome trauma — tools to help the helpers.

Good was chosen from a large pool of nominees for 2024’s awards from the organization. Worldmaker CEO Mollie Marti said Good reflects the heart of what the award represents: community-based collaboration that fosters a sense of belonging for all.

“There’s so many people who say that she’s a lifesaver, that she made such a huge different for (their) family,” Marti said. “She creates nourishing spaces for them that are very welcoming and warm. In those spaces, they can find connections and encouragement they need to thrive in their roles as caregivers.”

In under two years, the DeWolf Innovation Center has held a veteran caregiver forum, launched a new database and online community, and started a Community Connections Club and biweekly Memory Cafes for those living with dementia and their caregivers.

One-on-one meetings with the Family Caregivers Center have increased by 153 percent under her leadership, and the center has become a go-to source with new series on brain health, dementia and communication.

“Kathy’s unwavering dedication to caregivers and her ability to foster meaningful connections have had a profound impact on our community,” said Kindel Dillon, director of patient experience at the DeWolf Innovation Center. “Kathy’s commitment to creating inclusive, collaborative spaces where people feel valued and supported is a testament to her extraordinary passion for serving others.”

Making the connection to resilience

That connection has been key to setting Good’s work apart. Resilience is an exercise built in community, and the former career social worker has become a master connector.

At the heart of her definition of resilience is a fundamental sense of optimism — something that always came naturally to her and Dave.

“We can’t control the cards that are dealt to us, but we can choose how we play those cards once we have them,” she said. “You can choose to see all the things that don’t work, or you can focus on all the things you have that still work.”

People with dementia can live an average of 8 to 12 years after their diagnosis, she said, leaving a lot of room to create a good quality of life.

A fundamental part of her leadership at the DeWolf Innovation Center has been in the outlook. In addition to being a resource, the center serves as a community that has started karaoke nights, Living Your Best Life groups and opportunities to enjoy life — not just manage it.

It’s something she learned to do with Dave, a longtime district court judge who was a prolific runner, cyclist and outdoorsman. When single and tandem bikes stopped working for Dave, they moved on to a side-by-side bike with four wheels.

Resilience means being able to bounce back, naturally. But it also means regaining your standing with new perspective and more context, she said.

Her mentality has helped others shift from bracing to die to learning how to live. But perhaps what’s more is that the culture she fosters in Cedar Rapids helps caregivers realize they’re entitled to help through the good and the bad.

At 78, she said her energy to help others is far from depleted.

“It feels like a legacy — the upside of the downside of (Dave’s) dementia,” Good said.

What’s next in her outlook?

Good would still like to see more things changed in the outlook on dementia and aging.

First on the agenda is reframing stereotypes about people who are older. The senior director hopes to be part of changing the way society looks at retirement.

“We live longer, we’re healthier. I never would’ve imagined at my age I would be doing what I’m doing,” she said. “But when you begin to eliminate stereotypes you hold about older adults, why would you not?”

She also hopes to change the culture around death and dying by starting a conversation that better prepares clients and caregivers for it.

That, like everything else, will take a village.

“I get the award, but it feels like it should go to hundreds of other people who have been part of making this all happen,” Good said. “You don’t do this by yourself.”

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.