Sarah Collins leads memory care and Alzheimer’s support in Indiana

Sarah Collins, a memory care director in Michigan City, Indiana, is being featured for her work in dementia care, caregiver support, and Alzheimer’s advocacy. Her career spans CNA training, community outreach, and leadership of a 24-bed memory care unit.

Why it matters: - Sarah Collins’ work sits at the intersection of patient care, caregiver support, and Alzheimer’s advocacy. - Her role reflects growing demand for specialized memory care as more families navigate cognitive decline. - Collins also focuses on community education and dementia-friendly support, which can improve quality of life for residents and caregivers.

What happened: - Influential Women featured Sarah Collins for her career in compassionate memory care and Alzheimer’s support in Indiana. - Collins is Memory Care Director at The Elms at Michigan City. - She oversees a specialized 24-bed memory care unit. - Collins is also Community Outreach Chair for La Porte County with the Alzheimer’s Association. - Her professional path has included work in Chicago as a Brain Health and Memory Loss Program Manager.

The details: - Collins earned her Certified Nursing Assistant license in high school through a vocational training program. - Volunteer work with the Alzheimer’s Association shaped her early interest in brain health and dementia care. - She worked overnight shifts as a CNA while completing full-time coursework in Biological Sciences. - Collins earned a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University Northwest in 2024. - She earned a Master of Science from Grand Canyon University in 2026. - Collins holds certifications as a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Dementia Practitioner. - She has also been recognized as a certified dementia champion and friend. - In Chicago, Collins developed and facilitated memory cafés, caregiver support programs, and community-based initiatives. - Those programs were designed to support people living with memory loss and the families caring for them. - Her current work emphasizes person-centered care, empathy, education, and meaningful connection with residents, families, and staff.

Between the lines: - Collins’ career path shows how early hands-on experience can lead to leadership in specialized healthcare fields. - Her emphasis on mentorship, professional development, and continuing education points to workforce issues in healthcare and dementia care. - Her advice to younger women reflects a broader challenge in healthcare, where age can shape how experience is perceived. - The feature also positions dementia care as both a clinical field and a community support mission.

What's next: - Collins says she will keep focusing on Alzheimer’s treatment advances, dementia-friendly communities, and better resources for affected families. - Her outreach work with the Alzheimer’s Association suggests continued community education and support efforts in La Porte County. - Collins plans to keep encouraging young women to pursue volunteering, certifications, and early hands-on experience in healthcare.

The bottom line: - Sarah Collins is building a career around specialized memory care, caregiver support, and Alzheimer’s advocacy, with a focus on compassion and practical education.