The Nancy Renyhart Center for Dementia Education’s mission is to educate care partners, health care professionals, first responders and the community about dementia so everyone has a better understanding of the challenges individuals living with dementia face on a daily basis. The center is quickly becoming Marion County’s “go-to” place for dementia resources.

Since its inception, the center has saved taxpayers’ dollars by educating over 5,000 people, including police and first responders, in order to help our community utilize emergency services more efficiently. By the end of 2023, we estimate that 7,500 individuals will participate in the Virtual Dementia Tour. With the approval from Dementia Friendly America, we received the “green light” to make Ocala a dementia-friendly city. We are now the fourth municipality to obtain that title in the state of Florida.

Currently, The Nancy Renyhart Center is located in the Alice J. Privett Administration Building, but the goal is to build its own campus. The center will be the second of its kind in the country! The estimated cost of construction is $3 million, and with the support from our community, we can be one step closer to breaking ground.

Pinnacle Retirement Advisors founders Gary and Dawn Crawford met John and Nancy Renyhart in 2007 as clients. After working with the couple for more than a decade, Nancy passed from Alzheimer’s in April 2020.

Today, Gary and Dawn support John Renyhart and Hospice of Marion County to provide education on dementia and its impact on families in Nancy’s memory. It’s Gary and Dawn’s honor to be able to walk alongside their clients as they pursue their retirement goals and strive to leave a lasting legacy for future generations.