A Heartfelt Conversation With Those With Dementia “Please Talk With Us, Not About Us”

“Please Talk With Us, Not About Us”

A Heartfelt Conversation With Those With Dementia

Participants in the Early Memory Loss Collaborative support groups (for those individuals who have received a diagnosis of dementia) in Asheville NC decided that they wanted to share with others their experience of what it is to live with dementia. Different people from the groups have enjoyed talking at various events over the past year, including the 2012 SE4A Artisan in Aging conference. This video was made at “The Sacred Journey of Dementia” conference in Asheville NC on April 13, 2013. The panelists are Earl Thompson, Jane Garrison, Bill Leavell and Larry Stanley. At the end of the video is a short bio about each person. The panel is facilitated by Jane Sherman who co-facilitates their support groups and founded the Early Memory Loss Collaborative.

Thanks to panelists Earl Thompson, Jane Garrison, Bill Leavell and Larry Stanley; and Jane Sherman Facilitator of this discussion.  This information is so important to get out into the world.  Please contact Jane Sherman for more information or if you are looking for a great speaker at your next conference or training.

janeshermanemlc@gmail.com

To Learn More From Others With Dementia

Check Out Dementia Chats –

Ongoing Conversations With Those With Dementia. 

Watch Archived Episodes

Participate in live webinars on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month

More information can be found on the website by clicking here

For additional resources check out Alzheimer’s Speaks Resource Website.  Just click on the logo below

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Dementia Chats Recording from Today Very Interesting Topics Covered By Our Experts with Dementia

Dementia Chats Recording

May 14th, 2013

We had a great conversation today with Harry Urban and Michael Ellenbogen on Dementia Chats.  We continued our conversation from last session where we discussed communication and relationship.  A few of the topics we covered were:

Best practices for communication

How to test someone with dementia using questions

Eating habits and hunger or lack of

Changes in body temperature

All were very interesting and as usual I learned a lot, which makes me laugh because after 30 years of dealing with my own Mother and her symptoms you would think I have this figured out…. but it just doesn’t work that way.  I don’t think any of us should ever stop learning and listening to those with dementia.

For more information visit

 

 

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Note Time Change For The Next Dementia Chats On May14th

Mark Your Calendars-

Note Change of Time On May 14th, 2013

New Time:

11am EST, 10am CST, 8am PST, 4-m London

 

Check Out Our Last Session on April 23rd

Click graphic to watch the recorded webinar

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The Interactive Play “To Whom I May Concern” Regarding Alzheimer’s & Dementia

This is a great play with a very strong message.  Below is a bit more information on the “To Whom I May Concern” concept along with the group who performed this particular session.  Please not the first 5 minutes of the recording is a bit scratchy but improves greatly after that.  I personal think it is worth everyone’s time to watch.

This video is a recording of the March 27 A Meeting of the Minds, where the first online play of To Whom I May Concern premiered. The video includes a 4-minute introduction to set the context for the play, the recording of the play, and the Talk Back session between the audience and the cast.

To Whom I May Concern is an interactive theatre project, where the stories of people with dementia are respectfully gathered and become the basis for the script of a play. The play is performed by a group of people with dementia, typically the same people from whom the stories originated.

The plays, usually performed live, provide a forum for people with dementia to communicate their thoughts, ideas, feelings and frustrations to the audience in an informal setting, and the Talk Back session that follows allows two-way communication between the cast and the audience to talk about what they just experienced. To Whom I May Concern is the brainchild of Maureen Matthews, and the website is www.towhomimayconcern.org.

The play in this recording is the first online performance of To Whom I May Concern, and was done in Google Hangouts, with each cast member playing their part from their own computers. Cast members are from various locations in the USA. Stories were also gathered from this same group via meetings in Google Hangouts, email, and the telephone.

A Meeting of the Minds is a monthly webinar for people with dementia and others meeting the challenges of dementia. Facilitated by Laura Bowley and Richard Taylor, the website is www.meeting-minds.com.

Dementia Chats, which is a FREE webinar session might be another great resource for you to learn.  We do these twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, but all are recorded. Just click on the logo above and it will take you to the website which hosts more information on the webinars, along with the recorded sessions and how you can participate in the live programs allowing you to ask your questions directly. Here is our last session.  Just click on the photo below.

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Dementia, Building Community & Engagement

Dementia, Building Community

& Engagement

Click on the graphic below to listen to Alzheimer’s Speaks Radio.

This will be a very exciting program.  Today we will have on of the top leaders in the world on culture change with us… Dr. Bill Thomas.

I hope you can join the conversation as it is always fun and enlightening when talking with Bill.  Today would be the day to take advantage and ask this man your burning questions on aging, culture change, caregiving and dementia.

To Contact Dr. Thomas please go to his website:

www.changingaging.org

Our second guest will be Harry Urban, one of the Experts living with memory loss on Alzheimer’s Speaks FREE webinar series Dementia Chats.  He is also the Founder of “Forget Me Not.”  Harry will talk about his new group and their launch to assist those the Spanish community.

Harry can be reached via Facebook.  Search Harry Urban

Our third guest will be Sherice Recke, known to many as Shauney Baby.  She has been working in the entertainment industry for many years and is one of the most celebrated female drummers both nationally and internationally. today we will discuss the benefits of Drumming with those with Dementia.

Shauney Baby can be reached below:

Website: www.drumforgoodnesssake.com
Phone:  323-876-5173
Email: info@drumforgoodnessssake.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/drumforgoodnesssake
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DFGSLA

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Dementia Chats Webinar -Join Us Tomorrow & Talk To Those Who Live With It!

Join Us Tomorrow &

Talk To Those Who Live With It!

Click here to enter the webinar room 

IT”S FREE

Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013  Rick Phelps, Steve Pothan and Dena Dotson will be our featured Experts Living with Dementia.  We start at 3pm EST, 2pm CST, 12pm PST, and 8pm London times.  I hope you can join us.  Come with your questions and comments regarding dementia.  You will always get honest answers from our team of advocates.  All are welcome:  Family caregivers, friends, staff and advocates; even those just looking to learn.

The following session on February 12th Harry Urban and Dena Dotson will be featured.  Same times and same link.

All sessions are recorded and can be found here on the Alzheimer’s Speaks website.

Check out our website where you will find free tools and resources.

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Join Us For The FREE Dementia Chats Webinar Tuesday 1/8

Join Us For The FREE Dementia Chats Webinar

Tuesday 1/8 

3pm EST, 2pm CST, 12pm PST

Click on the graphic below to enter

Our decision will be around New Years Resolutions.

Are they different once you know you have Dementia?

Have they changed and why for you?

How about your Families Resolutions?

Come and join the conversation with those that have Dementia.

Check out Alzheimer’s Speaks.com by clicking on the logo below

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Join Us On Dementia Chats

Join us today at 3pm EST, 2pm CST, 12pm PST

Come and join the conversation with those that have memory loss.  They want to teach us what it’s like and how we can help.

If you are interested in learning more about Dementia Chats  Click Here

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Dementia Chats Recorded Session for Nov 13th, 2012

Our discussion today was about preparing for the holidays when someone has Dementia.  We shared great insights, differing opinions, lots of tips and I think it gave us all much to think about.  View points of our three Experts Living with Dementia,  Rick Phelps, Founder of Memory People of Facebook, Harry Urban and Donnamarie Baker; along with two Caregiver Leeanne Chames of Memory People and Lori La Bey of Alzheimer’s Speaks; plus lots of comments and questions from attendees.

To watch the recorded session Click Here.

Click Here for the Handout

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Join The Conversation On Dementia Chats

Join The Conversation On

Dementia Chats

Our topic on Tuesday will focus on what businesses, communities and individuals can do to become Dementia Friendly.

This FREE Webinar will start at 3pm EST, 2pm CST, and 12noon PST

Please come with both your questions and comments about becoming dementia friendly.  We want to hear your voice!

Click here to join

If you would like a instructions how to enter the webinar, or a general handout or evaluation form click here

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