Sun Health’s Memory Care Navigator Program Adds New Navigator

SURPRISE, ARIZ., April 1, 2019 – Sun Health has added Sherry Wagoner, a health care professional with more than 40 years of experience, to its Memory Care Navigator (MCN) team. The MCN program helps patients, family members and caregivers cope with the emotional, psychological and physical effects of memory loss. It’s provided at no cost to clients thanks to funding from Sun Health Foundation donors.

Before coming to Sun Health, Sherry served as the nurse for the adult day care program at Benevilla, a social services agency where she worked for more than 15 years. She earned a bachelor’s in nursing from Keuka College in Keuka Park, New York and worked in a variety of medical settings — including hospitals and clinics — in New York and Texas before moving to Arizona in 2002.

“Sherry’s an experienced and compassionate professional who is a perfect fit for the Memory Care program,” said Deb Richards, director of Care Transitions and Supportive Services for Sun Health.

Since it began in 2013, the MCN program has helped more than 1,400 individuals, including 298 people in fiscal year 2018. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5.5 million Americans are living with dementia, a figure projected to grow to 8.5 million by 2030. Arizona is expected to see a sharp uptick in Alzheimer’s cases over the next decade, due to its large and growing population of older adults.

If you or someone you know could benefit from the Memory Care Navigator program, call 623-832-9300 or visit www.sunhealth.org/memorycare.

About Sun Health

Nonprofit Sun Health boasts more than 50 years of meeting the health care needs of the community, first as a hospital-based system and now as an organization offering philanthropic support, three Life Plan Communities, a Continuing Care at Home program and a full slate of health and wellness programs. In partnership with Banner Health, Sun Health Foundation serves as the philanthropic link between the community and Banner Boswell and Banner Del E. Webb medical centers as well as the Banner Sun Health Research Institute.

Sun Health champions healthy living, research and superior health care for the community, now and for the future.