Creating Community Through Walking the Talk for Dementia

Authors

• Kate Irving, Walking the Talk for Dementia Institute
• Fernando Aguzzoli Peres, Walking the Talk for Dementia Institute
• Walter D. Dawson, Portland State UniversityFollow
• Jonathan Adrián Zegarra-Valdivia, Global Brain Health Institute, University of California
• Lingani Mbakile-Mahlanza, Global Brain Health Institute, University of California
• Iracema Leroi, Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College
• Sherril B. Gelmon, OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Portland State University

Published In

Aging and Mental Health

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Subjects

Dementia -- Dementia patients, Community -- social engagement

Abstract

Objectives

Creating community is not only therapeutic—it has been described as essential. This study explores a process of community-building among people with lived and professional experience in the dementia field, during Walking the Talk for Dementia (WTD), a week-long, immersive event on the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Absence of community can lead to fragmented support for both people living with dementia and their care partners and for those working in the field. Achieving a sense of community, however, can be complex.

Methods

A qualitative evaluation was conducted with 79 participants from 27 countries, incorporating pre-, during and post-event reflections. Participants included people with lived experience of dementia, researchers, clinicians, advocates, artists, innovators and policymakers.

Results

Four interrelated themes emerged: identification, trust and belonging, equity in connection and transformation into action. WTD fostered deep social bonds, disrupted professional hierarchies and inspired sustained collaboration.

Conclusion

WTD exemplifies how intentional, inclusive and relational experiences can build community which could lead to increased inclusivity, advocacy, research and leadership initiatives in many regions that are currently underserved.

Rights

Copyright (c) 2026 The Authors

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Locate the Document

https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2026.2678993

DOI

10.1080/13607863.2026.2678993

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/45175

Citation Details

Irving, K., Aguzzoli Peres, F., Dawson, W. D., Zegarra-Valdivia, J. A., Mbakile-Mahlanza, L., Leroi, I., & Gelmon, S. B. (2026). Creating community through Walking the Talk for dementia. Aging &Amp; Mental Health, 1–11.