Heather Comstock, Director of Dementia Friendly Wyoming
Heather Comstock, is the Director of Dementia Friendly Wyoming (DFW) at the Hub on Smith Street in Sheridan, Wyoming. She holds a Master of Science in Dementia Studies from the University of Stirling, Scotland (2021), a Postgraduate Certificate in Person-Centred Dementia Studies from the University of Worcester, England (2024), and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from the University of Wyoming (2001).
In 2001 Heather moved to Sheridan to work with the Daniels Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving life for people and communities in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. From 2004 to 2014, she worked in the real estate industry, serving as a Sales Associate, Associate Broker, and Office Manager.
In 2015, Heather transitioned her focus to working with older adults and those living with dementia. She joined the Hub on Smith as a Family Care Coordinator with the National Family Caregiver and the Older Relative Caregiver Program before becoming the Dementia Educator of Dementia Friendly Wyoming (DFW) in 2016. Since 2021, Heather has served as the Director of DFW.
Recognized for her earnest curiosity and desire to be an authentic partner in dementia support, Heather was one of 12 people selected internationally to attend Michael Verde’s Memory Bridge Retreat in 2016.
In 2019, Heather was invited by a person living with dementia to collaborate in starting and maintaining weekly peer support gatherings dedicated to creating a safe space where people living with a form(s) of dementia can share and embrace their lived experience while fostering a sense of belonging and community. She attributes much of her knowledge of ‘lived experience’ to continued interactions with persons living with dementia and their families, as their generous conversation and guidance continue to inspire, teach, and shape her professional actions, especially toward Community Participatory Actions to improve DFW’s scope and reach.
Additionally, Heather has been a volunteer at the National Council of Dementia Minds since its inception in 2019, serving as a group conversational facilitator and co-creating educational videos with members of the organization.
Heather’s work at DFW aims to create an innovative, person-centered approach to dementia community-wide support.
This model emphasizes individualized treatment, shared decision-making, and community engagement. To achieve this, she collaborates with persons living with dementia and their families to co-develop educational workshops, ensuring that the content is tailored to their specific needs and experiences. By actively involving those directly affected by dementia in the creation of these workshops, Heather promotes positive aging and fosters inclusive solutions that empower the community.
Through workshops, conference presentations, and one-on-one coaching sessions, she is committed to empowering the Sheridan community and beyond with dementia-specific care partner skills and knowledge.
Her work at DFW demonstrates the significant impact of local, community-based initiatives in dementia support, offering actionable insights and models of success for other communities to follow. Heather has co-authored a publication in the book “Dementia Care” and has been involved in various grants and fee-for-service contracts related to dementia support education and community engagement. She has a passion for researching and developing evidence-based dementia community supports.
In her free time, Heather enjoys savoring excellent meals and reading a wide variety of materials. She has a passion for learning about diverse subjects, from physics to the art of crafting engaging paragraphs. Heather also treasures the moments she spends with her loved ones, including family, friends, and her patient companion, Lily, a beautiful ‘tuxedo’ cat.
Contact Heather
Heather’s Phone – 307-461-5955 Email – hcomstock@thehubsheridan.org