Throughout my life my Dad was a very special man, not just to our family but so many. The stories friends would tell me later in life about how my Dad made them feel part of our family when they felt lost and alone in their own family.
My Dad allowed us all to dream, supporting us to go after our goals, never doubting our capabilities.
Dad was quick with a smile and a joke.
He was always there to help a friend or stranger.
He cared for my Mother with dementia and lead by example.
Dad had strong family values to the end.
I so miss my Father, but yet the lessons he taught through kindness will forever be with me.
May ever child have a man like my Father in their life.
We must all respect and know deep in our hearts being a Father just like being a Mother; isn’t just a biological thing.
Being a Father is about being a good person in heart and soul.
We all need good Father role models at all ages and stages of life.
So with great love and deep appreciation I say,
“Happy Father’s Day” to all the wonderful men out there.
Corey Rotella began her work in long term care 2008, as a caregiver on the memory care unit. It quite literally changed her life. She is a member of the Alzheimer’s association, a co-author of both the blog and book CNA edge: A voice from the trenches of long term care.
LA Times Cover’s Cruise For Those Living With Dementia & Their Families
Lori La Bey, founder of a Minnesota-based organization called Alzheimer’s Speaks, maintains an online community in which patients and their caregivers “meet” and discuss common challenges.
Now she plans to bring them and others together on a weeklong Eastern Caribbean cruise in November.
The Dementia Friendly Symposium & Cruise will feature chats in which Alzheimer’s patients discuss how they live with the disease and what strategies they use to focus on what they want to do rather than on what they can no longer do. READ FULL ARTICLE
Meet Me in Orange County on June 4th
Can’t Make It? You can Still Have An Impact.
Sponsor me to help raise fund for Women’s Research on Dementia
Caribbean vacation for those living with early memory loss accompanied by families and friends
St Paul/Minneapolis, MN – 04/27/2017
Participants will find this week-long Caribbean cruise an empowering retreat rich in hope and filled with fun, all while learning tips to live graciously with their “new normal” in life.
Lori La Bey, Radio Host and founder of Alzheimer’s Speaks is the brain child behind the event. Her own mother lived with dementia for 30 years. La Bey said, “Our conference is designed to encourage open conversations, raise awareness, and build a sense of comradery while rejuvenating souls. We want to help people expand the depths of their relationships while functioning as caregivers and care receivers. Our goal is to show people how to live graciously with dementia, not become it.”
Kathy Shoaf, RN, Accessible Travel Advocate became La Bey’s perfect partner. Shoaf owner of Elite Cruises and Vacations, LLC, is helping La Bey bring people together to share insights, reduce fears and eliminate feelings of isolation often caused by dementia. Shoaf has been overwhelmed by the gratitude expressed by those inquiring about the conference. “People are excited and simply surprised that this opportunity to get support actually exists,” she said.
Most people don’t realize how many families are affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, a person develops dementia every 3 seconds in the world. It’s rare to find someone who has not been touched by the dementia.
La Bey’s unique team includes both professionals in the field as well as what she calls the “True Experts.” Four international advocates living with a dementia diagnosis will play a large role in the conference sharing their profound insights and coping strategies. They are: Michael Ellenbogen, Mary Read, Laurie Scherrer and Harry Urban.
As Harry Urban, a man living with dementia for 13 years said, “I’m finally going to meet my family. The one I’ve never met.” Harry refers to his “social media family” as a major source of support to him. Like so many living with dementia and those caring for them, these social media platforms can be lifelines.
Professionals Cyndy Luzinski and Becky Watson bring their passion and superior skill sets to the conference. Luzinski is an advanced practice nurse and dementia practitioner, along with being the founder of Dementia-Friendly Communities of Northern Colorado. Watson is a Board-Certified Music Therapist and Founder of Music for Wellness, a company that provides engaging, energizing and empowering music wellness programs and services to enrich the mind, body, and spirit.
La Bey, reminisces with us about a family cruise with her mom with dementia and her dad with brain cancer. “What a beautiful experience it was for my parents, all siblings and our children.” She goes on to say, “To be able to offer a supportive atmosphere where others understand the dementia experience and are in the trenches side by side with one another — well it’s just beyond words.”
This conference will provide a fun and hopeful environment to share life stories and lessons learned which in turn builds a strong sense of comradery. Participants will be given resources, tips and tools to help them live better with and alongside dementia. Alzheimer’s Speaks is seeking sponsorships and donations to provide scholarships for those who can’t afford to attend.
Johns Hopkins University Press has donated a couple of their best-selling books on dementia for the conference, “The 36 Hour Day” and “A Loving Approach to Dementia Care.” La Bey encourages individuals and organizations to donate services, products or tools to enhance this experience. La Bey is also seeking sponsors through cash or frequent flier miles… at any level to provide scholarships for those who can’t afford to attend on their own.
The group will set sail November 11th, for the Eastern Caribbean and return to Fort Lauderdale, on November 18th, 2017. All interested in this amazing conference and cruise must book their cruise through Kathy Shoaf who can be reached at 219-608-2002 or via email kathy.shoaf@cruiseplanners.com
For More Information Contact:
Alzheimer’s Speaks is an advocacy group making an international impact providing education for those dealing with dementia. Dr. Oz and Sharecare recognized Alzheimer’s Speaks as the “#1 Influencer online for Alzheimer’s.” Maria Shriver recognized La Bey as an “Architect of Change for Humanity.”
20% Off the New 6th Edition of The 36 Hour Day, Available April 2017
Through five editions, and more than 3 million copies sold, The 36-Hour Day has been an essential resource for families who love and care for people with Alzheimer disease. Whether a person has Alzheimer disease or another form of dementia, he or she will face a host of problems. The 36-Hour Day will help family members and caregivers address these challenges and simultaneously cope with their own emotions and needs.
If you are interested in a bulk purchase of this book we would be happy to offer you a higher discount. For more information on bulk sales and special sales pricing, please contact specialsales@press.jhu.edu
How to Communicate with a Person with Dementia
Our Experts have Dementia
Dementia Chats: Where voices of those diagnosed with dementia are heard.
Dementia Chats™ was created with the intention to educate people living with dementia; their care partners – family, friends as well as professionals and advocates. Our Experts are those diagnosed with dementia. We have been doing this series since July of 2012.
Today we had an interesting conversation regarding communication. You will here from those diagnosed and what they think about all the tips given by “Professionals” to communicate with them.
You will gain insights which will help you care better. Learn how their senses change, how their emotions and behaviors are affect by their surroundings and how that impacts them in their daily living.
Thank You To Our Experts Living With Dementia:
Michael Ellenbogen
Paulan Gordon
Truthful Loving Kindness
Brian LeBlanc
Laurie Scherrer
Mary Howard
Susan Suchan
Harry Urban
AN EXCITING EXPERIENCE
FOCUSED ON THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION
Exercise your brain and body with a specially designed and fun fitness experience
Engage in a brain healthy marketplace with friends, food, books, experts and more
Educate yourself with a panel of superstars in brain research, fitness, nutrition and more
Empower yourself to save your brain and help wipe out Alzheimer’s
You’re invited to join Maria Shriver and The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement for a fun, one-of-a-kind event to wipe out Alzheimer’s. Sign up, fundraise and be a part of this exciting three hour experience featuring an exclusive mind-body workout just for Move for Minds participants!
One Day.Eight Cities.Millions Impacted. June 4, 2017 Boston | Dallas | Los Angeles | Miami | New York Orange County | San Francisco | Washington DC
Thursday we are lucky to have Joey Chandler, the founder of “You Are Videos” where he turns smart phone selfies into video tributes for birthdays, weddings and anniversaries. He is now working with hospice and Alzheimer’s organizations to show their patients the impact they have had on the world through the words of family and friends.
Triumphs, Struggles & Passions Living With Dementia
This Thursday, we are lucky to have Jeff Borghoff with us. Jeff was diagnosed in March of 2016 at the age of 51 with Early-Stage (or younger onset) Alzheimer’s Disease. Since than he has been working with great fervor with the National Alzheimer’s Association as a member of the National Early-Stage Advisory Group and with the Alzheimer’s Association Greater NJ Chapter. Today we will talk to Jeff and learn about his struggles triumphs and passions.
Alzheimer's Speaks believes working together and sharing knowledge is the best way to win the battle against this disease. Please explore the site and share your thoughts.
