About Us
Legacy Home and Respite Care Foundation exists because caregivers deserve support too.
We support family and informal caregivers caring for loved ones living with dementia by providing respite, wellness-focused programming, education, and community-based support. Our work centers the caregiver as a whole person, not just someone filling a role.
Too often, caregivers are expected to push through exhaustion, grief, and stress without rest or guidance. Legacy was created to change that.
Why Legacy Exists
Legacy was founded from lived experience.
Our founder began caregiving as a teenager when her mother was diagnosed with younger-onset dementia. Alongside her father and younger brother, she navigated years of caregiving without the tools, education, or support that could have made the journey healthier. There were few resources that addressed caregiver wellness, even fewer that felt culturally relevant, and almost none that acknowledged the emotional toll caregiving takes.
What became clear was this: caregivers were being asked to sacrifice their lives in the name of love.
Legacy was created to interrupt that cycle. We believe caregivers should not have to lose themselves while caring for someone else. Rest, education, and emotional support are not extras. They are essential.
What Makes us Different?
Legacy is caregiver-centered at its core.
We do not approach dementia support as a checklist or a one-size-fits-all solution. Our work is grounded in real relationships, flexibility, and trust. We meet caregivers where they are, emotionally, culturally, and practically.
What sets us apart:
We center caregiver wellness, not just dementia education
We redefine respite as relief, restoration, and choice
We create spaces where caregivers can breathe, learn, and connect
We intentionally serve caregivers who have historically been overlooked or underserved
We blend education, rest, and community rather than separating them
What We Do
Legacy offers a range of programs designed to support both caregivers and the people they care for.
Our work includes:
Community-based respite through Memory Socials and pop-up drop-in sessions
Caregiver wellness grants and personalized self-care planning
Education on dementia, brain health, and caregiver well-being
The Caregiver Sanctuary, a physical and virtual hub for rest, learning, and connection
Each offering is designed to reduce isolation, increase access to support, and help caregivers maintain their own health while caring for others.
Our Values
Everything we do is guided by a few simple beliefs:
Caregivers are whole people.
Caregiving is part of life, not the entirety of it.
Rest is not a reward.
It is a necessity, not something to be earned after burnout.
Dignity matters.
For caregivers and for those living with dementia.
Culture and community matter.
Support must feel relevant, accessible, and real.
Healing happens in connection.
No one should do this work alone.
Our Leadership
Legacy is led by lived experience and professional expertise.
Shanelle Snowden, MBA, is the Founder and Executive Director of Legacy Home and Respite Care Foundation. She is a certified dementia specialist with a background in human services and healthcare administration. Her leadership is shaped by years of personal caregiving, community-based work, and a deep commitment to caregiver wellness and health equity.
Shanelle’s approach blends education, mindfulness, and practical support, recognizing that caregiving affects the brain, the body, and emotional well-being. Legacy’s work is supported by a small, dedicated team and community partners who share the belief that caregivers deserve care too.