ComfortCare Homes invests in dementia research

Research into Alzheimer's and dementia is getting a major boost in the Wichita area thanks to ComfortCare Homes.

Comfort Care Homes, a Wichita-based dementia care provider with more than three decades of experience, has completed a $25,000 endowed fund with the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita to support ongoing Alzheimer’s and dementia research in the Wichita area and across Kansas.

The endowed fund will provide annual, perpetual support for research projects focused on Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and the caregiver experience, with an emphasis on medical student-led research guided by KU Wichita faculty.

The fund grew out of a partnership between Comfort Care Homes leadership and KU School of Medicine-Wichita faculty, including immersive educational experiences that allow medical students to work directly with people living with dementia in real-world care settings.

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia affect the entire community. The endowment is part of ComfortCare Homes’ commitment to take care for those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease outside the walls of their nine homes and into the community at-large.

​​“What began as a conversation about education became a commitment to long-term change,” said Micala Gingrich-Gaylord, CEO of Comfort Care Homes. “For families facing a dementia diagnosis, information alone isn’t enough. They need guidance, compassion, and hope. Supporting research and medical education is part of our responsibility to the community we serve.”

Comfort Care Homes has focused exclusively on dementia care in the Wichita area for more than 33 years, providing care for residents while supporting families navigating the challenges of Alzheimer’s and related diseases.

“This endowment represents belief in research that matters and education that leads with humanity,” Gingrich-Gaylord said. “It’s about ensuring future physicians understand dementia not just clinically, but personally.”

The fund will support student research opportunities coordinated through KU School of Medicine-Wichita and connect local research efforts with KU’s broader Alzheimer’s research initiatives across the state.

“Having Comfort Care Homes championing this fund brings credibility and insight that only comes from experiencing and providing hands-on care,” said Brad Rukes of KU Endowment.

KU Med has not yet decided how to use the endowment. One possibility is to study scripted improv, which is a method of de-escalating behavioral issues for those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Nearly 7 million people in the United States live with Alzheimer’s disease, and that number is expected to climb to 13.8 million by 2060. As the population ages, it’s more critical for communities to support their aging members, especially those living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

Communities can foster inclusivity and connection by creating environments that support social interaction and engagement. ComfortCare Homes has a history of community involvement and innovation in dementia care. 

In 2025, ComfortCare Homes launched the Purple Line Project where the organization trains local businesses and organizations about dementia and simple ways to be more responsive to the needs of individuals with dementia and their caregivers.