Being diagnosed with dementia is a journey, one that persons living well with dementia would like to share with others. Area Agency on Aging is partnering with National Council of Dementia Minds (NCDM), which was founded in Michigan, to change the conversation and perception of people living in early stages of dementia. More people are getting diagnosed with dementia during the prime of their life and together, Region IV Area Agency on Aging and NCDM are offering a free virtual program for those diagnosed with dementia and their caregivers.
This virtual session is filled with humor, hope, and insights from eight individuals living with dementia. As part of NCDM’s Family & Friends Series, the video presentation called “A Journey with Dementia Minds” will be part of a virtual program with a talkback session with the participants featured in the video on Thursday, June 2nd, from 12:00-1:30 pm.
“When one gets diagnosed with dementia, the path forward can be difficult and seem hopeless for many, but this video presentation and subsequent talkback session with participants is inspires hope and provides valuable insight from those living with dementia,” said Christine Vanlandingham, CEO of Area Agency on Aging
“We are pleased to share our Family & Friends Series that provides information on difficult topics to help change the conversation and the perception of people living in early stages of dementia,” said Brenda Roberts, executive director of National Council of Dementia Minds. “The Journey video was our first one that the Dementia Minds group put together. It was so well received, that the overwhelming demand for more presentations led us to form the National Council of Dementia Minds a year ago and we have been growing since.”
A Journey with Dementia Minds is an interactive presentation by eight individuals living with dementia. In this dramatic and humorous performance, you will experience their journey beginning with the recognition that something was wrong, testing, diagnosis and depression that often follows the diagnosis. Undergo the passage from the darkness of depression into the light of acceptance and the discovery of new meaning and purpose. Be prepared to take flight as A Journey with Dementia Minds is a transformative and powerful experience for all who attend. Persons living with dementia will be available after the video presentation to engage with the audience and answer questions.
A Journey with Dementia Minds – virtual presentation and talkback session
Date: Thursday, June 2, 2022
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. EST
Registration: While registration is required, the event is offered at no cost.
Register online at bit.ly/JourneyRegister, or call Amy Nichols at 269-982-7748.
A limited number of seats are available for the watch party at the Campus for Creative Aging as well. Reserve your seat by calling Amy at 269-982-7748 or email amynichols@areaagencyonaging.org
A trailer of the video presentation is available on YouTube at bit.ly/DementiaJourney.
For more information about the National Council of Dementia Minds or to join a Dementia Minds group visit DementiaMinds.org.
The National Council of Dementia Minds is partnering with five organizations, including Region IV Area Agency on Aging, to launch local Journey With Dementia Minds groups to give Michiganders living with dementia a voice and hope to live well by participating in a Dementia Minds group. NCDM was awarded a $100,000 grant by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to help develop Dementia Minds groups for Michiganders living with dementia. NCDM uses weekly support groups led by trained facilitators for discussions that include receiving the diagnosis and how persons living with dementia are quickly treated differently.
