FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

REBECCA HUTCHINSON OF ACCELERATE THE CARE FEATURED IN THE RECORD-EAGLE’S "LEADERS OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN" EDITION

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (August 15, 2026) — Accelerate the Care is proud to announce that Founder and CEO Rebecca Hutchinson has been recognized in The Record-Eagle’s special publication, "Leaders of Northern Michigan." The annual feature highlights visionaries and organizational leaders driving significant civic and economic impact across the region.

The feature details Accelerate the Care’s mission to support caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia across Northern Michigan. In Michigan, over 190,000 residents live with Alzheimer’s—a figure projected to exceed 320,000 by 2050. The region’s older demographic and limited access to specialty care create immense pressure on caregivers, with studies indicating up to 40% of Alzheimer’s caregivers pass away before the patient due to high stress and physical toll.

To address these challenges, Accelerate the Care delivers two core community initiatives:

• Education Program: Provides free workshops using Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care methodology. In 2025, the organization educated over 500 caregivers across 20+ partner locations in Benzie, Charlevoix, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, and Wexford Counties, and is on track to double that impact in 2026.

• The Caregiver Automobile Assistance Program: Offers direct financial assistance for vehicle repairs to prevent disruptions in care due to transportation failures.

"The defining moment for me was saying 'yes' to starting this nonprofit, which at the time seemed a bit crazy and scary," said Rebecca Hutchinson, Founder and CEO of Accelerate the Care. "Good leadership is about fostering a culture of empowerment, active listening, and continuous growth. It involves equipping your team with the right tools—from science-backed methodologies to leveraging new technologies—to turn complex challenges into impactful actions."

Founded seven years ago and built on an all-volunteer board model, Accelerate the Care continues to scale its operations to meet the growing need for specialized dementia care and caregiver support in Northern Michigan.

To learn more about Accelerate the Care or to support their programs, visit www.acceleratethecare.com.

About Accelerate the Care

Accelerate the Care is a Northern Michigan-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering Alzheimer's and dementia caregivers through free educational workshops, community training, and practical direct-aid assistance programs.