A life fulfilling approach to living with dementia
Tuesday Group
Thirteen LessonsPersons living with cognitive challenges offer lessons to springboard further conversationSeattle, WA--Thursday, March 2, 2023— The Gathering Place, North Seattle's unique early-stage memory loss program, teamed up with Dr. John Zeisel of I'm Still Here, a foundation promoting a lifefulfilling approach to living with dementia, to develop 13 impactful memory loss lessons. 10 men and women of The Gathering Place, all of whom are living with cognitive impairment, met in facilitated group discussions to answer what Dr. Zeisel calls the Tuesday Group question “What would you like to tell others about yourself and what you need that you think will help you?” A vibrant conversation ensued between participants, leading to “Thirteen Lessons” in their own words that the group hopes will be used as a springboard for further conversations on memory loss. Reflecting their real-life experiences, these lessons offer a distinctive perspective into challenges faced daily by persons living with cognitive impairment. A valuable resource for individuals, care partners, and professionals the “Lessons” are intended to positively impact the lives of those dealing with these issues. The “Lessons” provide intimate insight and advice to others in the words of those living with cognitive challenges about how to be helpful. An important aim: to inspire a movement towards building dementia-friendly communities. Copies of “Thirteen Lessons” are available for free.: Download here: https://www.phinneycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Gathering-Place-Lessons-2.17.23.pdfAt once insightful and honest, the Lessons meaningfully address everyday challenges persons living with cognitive impairment often experience, including:•When, how, and whether to tell others about their challenges; •Addressing anxiety in social situations; and •Retaining independence and purpose when others offer support. To quote one of the document’s authors, “Rereading this I see the struggles that I feel and that I’m here, that now others can read it and come back to talk.” “We hope these words of participants themselves, enable those living with cognitive challenges to be seen, heard, and understood more clearly.” said Dr. John Zeisel, founder of the I’m Still Here Foundation, and author of I’m Still Here: A new philosophy of Alzheimer’s care. The Tuesday GroupThe Tuesday Group, five residents of Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge (WCBR) in Charlottesville, Virginia, developed the first set of “Lessons”. The approach employed here is named after this group. The WCBR Lessons are available at here. About Greenwood Senior Center The Greenwood Senior Center (GSC), has served Greenwood and neighboring communities from its home on N. 85th since 1977. In 2006, the Center became a program of the Phinney Neighborhood Association. It provides a variety of programs for adults in the areas of fitness, the arts, technology, memory loss, social opportunities and social services, including a daily hot lunch program. The GSC works to fight isolation, build camaraderie, and enrich each other’s lives. About Phinney Neighborhood Association Founded in 1980 by Phinney neighbors to create community belonging and to connect people, the Phinney Neighborhood Association (PNA) is a non-profit community organization committed to fostering an environment where everyone is welcomed. Through events, supportive services, education, partnerships, individual engagement and community connections, the PNA is always listening, learning and reflecting to meet the current and future needs of the Northwest Seattle community.Inquiries: •Kristen Oshyn, Memory Loss Program Facilitator, kristeno@phinneycenter.org •Carin Mack, Director of Memory Loss Programming, socialwkr@comcast.net
Contact: executive director@imstillherer.org PHONE: 781-816-5151 EMAIL: info@imstillhere.orgI’m Still Here 7 Wainwright Road #35 Winchester, MA 01890
In memorium: Sean Caufield1972-2019 Executive Director of I’m Still Here 2010-2017
A life fulfilling approach to living with dementia
LEGACY PROGRAMS
I’m Still Here Legacy programs were created, starting with Artz, in the early 2000s by Sean Caulfield and John Zeisel. These engagement programs support creative thinking and ideas utilizing arts, culture, music, community activities, exercise, and more to help those living with dementia to feel fulfilled. Sean served as the Executive Director of the I’m Still Here Foundation from 2010 to 2017 and was dedicated to improving the lives of those living with dementia and their families. The Legacy Programs are dedicated in memory of Sean Caulfield. “Art has the ability to transcend the limitations of conventional communication and language, leading to rich emotional connections and enabling people with Alzheimer’s to break out of their shells, to become awakened.” Sean CaulfieldThe I’m Still Here Legacy Programs have been replicated throughout the United States and abroad and continue to be offered in many locations. Brief information is provided here along with an active link to an existing program. ISH provides guidance for organizations that seek to implement new programs in their communities. .
Meet Me at the Movies is a participatory activity using short clips from classic films and TV shows followed by audience discussion. These are often classic movies well known to the participants. The experience promotes meaningful interactions between those diagnosed with dementia, their care partners, family members and their communities. SEE: https://caregiversmatter.org/MemoryCafeActivities/lc/22355/meet-me-at-the-movies
Meet Me at the Museum is an activity where participants view and engage in discussions about works of art. Participants talk about what they see and the feelings that art works evoke. This program serves as an enjoyable social gathering that helps with verbal expression and focuses attention. I’m Still Here launched this concept in the early 2000s and it has been adapted by museums throughout the United States and abroad. The Museum of Modern Art in New York launched their Alzheimer’s Project in 2007 which was developed with I’m Still Here. MoMA has an extensive program and guidebook which is downloadable and free. Other ongoing programs are found at the Frye Museum in Seattle, the Louvre in Paris, and the Nasher Museum at Duke University. SEE: https://www.moma.org/visit/accessibility/meetme/
It Takes a Villageembraces the local community through activities in local venues for musical events or to visit book shops, parks and cultural sites. This program takes people into the community, not only helping them, but helping to reduce the stigma around dementia that people cannot participate in community activities. The program was established in Brookline, MA, in 2016, in cooperation with Goddard House Assisted Living. Most recently, ISH supported the development of a community program offered by the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living. SEE: https://www.facebook.com/VillageBrookline
ARTZ (Arts for Alzheimer’s) enhances the cultural and creative life of people living with dementia. Amateur and professional artists volunteer to perform or work with people in dementia care facilities or day settings in the community. Once again, engagement helps those with dementia to express themselves in fun and creative ways. SEE: https://www.artzphilly.org