Accelerate the Care
started with a dream
And we continue to dream big with big results for the Alzheimer’s and dementia community in Northern Michigan.
Caring for those who care
When Becky Hutchinson’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, her family struggled to find adequate resources to understand what was happening with their loved one, and the education and tools needed to care for her did not seem to exist in our region.
Becky resolved to create a solution for caregivers in her position, both family members and healthcare professionals, so that others won’t have to feel alone in their fight.
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What we provide
Free caregiver education
Using the revolutionary methods of Teepa Snow.
Caregiver auto assistance
Financial support to pay the cost of car repairs.
Navigating care resources
Helpful tools, solutions and trusted recommendations.
2025 annual impact
How we raise funds
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Events
Every year we host the Drive to Remember car cruise, a Horse Show event, a PepeNero dinner and more, to raise awareness and fund our mission. We also raffle off two cars annually in our Classics for Care raffles.
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Donations
Generous donors support our mission through financial contributions as well as the donation of volunteer time, and cars donated to our Classics for Care raffle.
Our leadership team
Becky Hutchinson
Founder
My story with Alzheimer's began with my mother's diagnosis in 2015. The experience that followed is one that I still struggle to find words for. Losing a loved one before they are truly gone is a spiritual, emotional, and physical hardship unlike any I have ever known. In the wake of my mother's death, I became aware of the large, and steadily growing community of Alzheimer's victims and caregivers in Northern Michigan. Having experienced the struggle first hand I decided to create a non-profit to assure that the affected members of our community are supported and validated in their fight. Accelerate The Care has only left the starting line in our potential to aid Northern Michigan. We hope you will join us on our journey.
Katrina Teague
Director of Operations
Katrina Teague oversees operational strategy and execution to support Accelerate the Care’s mission and growth. Katrina’s passion for the ATC mission stems from her family’s personal experience caring for both parents affected by Alzheimer's. Katrina is committed to helping care for those who care; empowering caregivers by broadly sharing ATC’s available resources and education throughout Michigan.
A native of Traverse City, Katrina and her husband Stan recently returned to Traverse City from Charlotte, North Carolina.
Meet our Positive Approach to Care® certified educators
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Kelly McCord
Kelly is a Registered Nurse and founder of D.O.T.S. of Dementia, an independent training program built on the revolutionary Dementia care methods of Teepa Snow. She is an expert in Alzheimer’s and dementia care with decades of experience in caregiving and teaching. Her style as an educator is warm, captivating and easy to understand.
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Lisa George
Lisa founded Brightletics to offer brain health fitness and movement for aging well and aging in place. Along with an MFA in Dance from New York University, she is a certified Ageless Grace® Educator with specialties in Parkinson’s and Somatic Movement. As a PAC® Certified Dementia Educator, Lisa draws on forty years of facilitating movement for all abilities and years of work experience in Senior residence facilities.
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Debbie Smith
Debbie is a Certified Dementia Educator and CNA with a strong foundation in business and healthcare philosophy. She holds an Associates’s Degree in Business and brings over 30 years of experience in sales, leadership, marketing and customer engagement — skills she now applies to dementia education and caregiving.
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Julie Adelberg
Julie is a seasoned long-term care professional and a PAC® Certified Dementia Educator dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of older adults and supporting those living with dementia and their care partners. Her professional focus encompasses dementia care, person-centered practices, caregiver education, advocacy, and the development of meaningful engagement. Julie brings over 25 years of experience to guide and support people with dementia and their caregivers to remain present, connected, and confident.
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Melanie Newhouse
Based in West Michigan, Melanie is an accomplished RN and advanced trainer who has coached hundreds in Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care®. Through her consulting business, Dementia Pathfinders, she provides compassionate guidance to help navigate challenges and foster meaningful connections. Outside of work, she treasures her family, the great outdoors, and every unique sunset.
Join a Positive Approach to Care® workshop to learn more about our educators and their expertise. Our transformative dementia care workshops are free and open to community members and caregivers of any kind.
Our Board
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Isabelle Sutherland
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Ken Fassett
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Marita Okerstrom
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Dana Cowell
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Giorgio & Monica
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Annette Schmidt
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Mark Smith
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Reggie Horning
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Anne Schippers
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Audra Jackson
Learn more about Accelerate the Care