Providing education, support, and resources
to guide you on your dementia care journey
Serving Alameda and Contra Costa Counties in Northern California
What Sage has to offer . . .
Our certified dementia specialists offer individual and family consultations, support groups,
in-person and online presentations for individuals, community groups and healthcare
facilities, dementia simulations, and a comprehensive resource library with
links to online information and community services.
Dementia doesn’t just affect the person with
a dementia diagnosis, it affects all who interact with them. This includes family members, friends, paid caregivers, healthcare professionals, and community members. And, caring for one with dementia can impact every aspect of a family’s emotional, physical, and financial well-being.
The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia (March 2023). This number is expected to reach approximately 152 million
by 2050. As the need for dementia care rises, so does the need for care partners to be equipped with the training and expertise that will enable them to provide the best care possible.
At Sage, our goal is to help care partners navigate the dementia journey with a compassionate, person-centered approach
and a focus on well-being for all involved.
The Sage Team
Gia Barsell, Executive Director/Founder
Debbie Emerson, Founding Partner
Board of Directors
Gia Barsell, President
Ed Bettencourt, CFO
Cara Varon, Secretary
Brian Knadle, Director
Debbie Emerson, Advisory Board Chair
Our Dementia Specialists
Gia Barsell, C.D.P.
PAC™ Advanced Consultant and Trainer
(Teepa Snow)
National Council of Certified Dementia
Practitioners
Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional
Gia has been working with individuals living with dementia and their families since 2013. She is currently the manager of dementia services and education at Hope Hospice and Health Services. Gia's experience includes helping families and dementia care facilities develop non- pharmacological responses to behavior challenges, facilitating support groups geared towards supporting those caring for someone with a dementia diagnosis, and educating families and clinical care partners on best practices for dementia care. Her primary goal is to offer guidance and support to improve the quality of life for persons living with dementia and their care partners.
Debbie Emerson. M.S., C.D.P.
Community & Family Health Educator
CARES® Dementia Specialist
(Alzheimer's Association)
National Council of Certified Dementia
Practitioners
Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional
Debbie has been a community and family health educator in the Tri-Valley community for over thirty-five years. Most recently, she worked at Hope Hospice and Health Services for ten years as the developer and manager of the Family Caregiver Education Series, a program designed to provide education and support to family care partners. Debbie was also the co-developer of Hope's Living with Dementia program where she provided training and support services to families and healthcare professionals.
In addition to her professional training, Debbie's most valuable experience has come from her many years as
a care partner to loved ones living with dementia.
Sage Dementia Consulting is pleased to announce that we have recently contracted with the Alameda County Public Health Department's Healthy Brain Initiative to provide training in best practices for dementia care to family caregivers and service providers in the county.
We are very excited to be involved in this collaborative effort between the CDC, the Alzheimer's Association, and local public health departments to raise awareness about the importance of brain health and support the needs of family caregivers.
National Healthy Brain Initiative
State and Local Roadmap for Public Health
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Sage Dementia Consulting is not in a position, nor is it our intent, to provide individual clinical or medical advice. Information contained on our website, in presentations and in consultations is for educational purposes only and not intended to replace the advice of a healthcare professional, nor substitute for medical care. Contact your healthcare provider for questions or concerns about diagnosis, treatment, or care regarding cognitive impairment and/or dementia-related conditions.