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.
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 57 million people worldwide were living with dementia in 2021 with nearly 10 million cases occurring each year. The number of cases is projected to rise to 78 million by 2030 and 139 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
National Healthy Brain Initiative
State and Local Roadmap for Public Health
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Sage Dementia Consulting has recently collaborated with Alameda County's Public Health Department's Healthy Brain Initiative, providing training in best practices for dementia care to family care partners, healthcare professionals, and service providers in the county.
We were honored 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 care partners.
Our Dementia Specialists
Gia Barsell, CEO, CDP
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 was previously 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, MS, CDP
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.
Diane Farthing, Health Educator
CARES® Dementia Specialist
(Alzheimer's Association)
Diane is a National Board Certified
Health Educator who has worked with both adults and adolescents in a variety of capacities over the course of her long professional career. She’s passionate that our elderly and those who care for them have the quality of life they deserve. Her goal is to advance the understanding of dementia and care strategies that promote dignity, independence, and comfort.
Along with her volunteer work at a local memory care center, Diane enjoys gardening, reading, and being with her grandchildren.
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.