Tru here.  .

((Sometimes we get a little bit silly))

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At Dementia Mentors, we host more than 40 virtual memory cafes each month.
These are “member-only” gatherings for those living with dementia
(every day except Sundays for persons living with some form of dementia
— and also twice-monthly for Partners on Sundays).
More info here >>  https://www.dementiamentors.org/ .

… In Our Words:

Barry (DM Alumni not pictured)

at video at https://vimeo.com/102788408 .

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Bill (not pictured)

“Dementia Mentors is becoming a close family to me.”
— Bill on 04Sep2020

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Claire (not pictured)

Until I met some of you that Tuesday two weeks ago I literally thought I was just supposed to count down the days till I’d be fortunate enough to die.

I had no idea how successfully we could all keep living, in the midst of this
-or for how long-and with such joy!

It is life-changing to have you all in my life. I am re-thinking my future.
— Claire on 02Aug2020

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Creeky

When I was diagnosed 6 years ago @ 59, my dad was in mid to late stage Alzheimers & all I knew was the end stage.

I didn’t know there was life after diagnosis until I found
Dementia Mentors Virtual Cafés & other groups.

Not only do we share laughter & concerns, we learn from each other. We learn how to adjust to our diagnosis, how do things differently as our abilities change, and how to live a good quality purposeful life.

I’m deeply grateful to Gary Joseph LeBlanc, Truthful Loving Kindness, Delores, Larry, Tim, & everyone who keeps the Cafés going.

Please remember you’re not alone. We’re in this together.
— Creeky on 26Sep2020

Deborah

Without this group of fun-loving folks, I’d still be sitting alone in my apartment.

Meeting others with dementia made me finally realize that there is life after diagnosis.
To discover people who laugh, smile, and truly care about each other is so refreshing. They guided me through the painful changes that I was experiencing.

They showed me how to smile and learn there was opportunity for my new “normal”.

Join us at one of our many meetings. You will not regret it.
And you may meet some folks who might be wearing “goofy hats” and giving you our signature hand wave.
Hope to see you soon!
— Deborah on 30Jul2020

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Elmarie

Dementia Mentors is where all my friends and family lives in “zoom”
Because we are all in the same boat aka all have some form of dementia.

We laugh and cry together. Exchanging coping skills.
We believe in fairies, unicorns and having fun.

I love that we can share about our dogs, cats and chickens.
I’m grateful to be part of DM
— Elmarie on 25Sep2020

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Kelly

I joined this group at a very low point in my life.
An old friend invited me to join.

I was ready to call it quits but with the help of the group I found happiness again.
Now about three years later they are my go to family for fun and help.
Thank God for them.
— Kelly on 27Sep2020

Marion

Dementia Mentors to me is making a new friend.
One who understands how I feel. Shares their experience strength and hope.
One you can laugh and cry with. They are a true friend for life.
— Marion on 25 Sep 2020

Marsha

DM café chats have given me light.
Being diagnosed with Dementia at age 57 in 2014 was very dark. I prepared to die.
But then, medication helped. Change of diet helped
and met these wonderful new friends who helped me see the light.

We laugh and have fun.
We get serious and offer our experiences hoping to help.
Which DOES help.

Having Alzheimer’s or any cognitive impairment is challenging. With friends by our side we can find new purpose.
Our families can relax when they see and hear our laughter.

It does not have to be the bitter end.
It can be a new chapter, new purpose and a fulfilling life until the end.
And the end gets further away as we enjoy each day.

Thank you Dementia Mentors! Gary LeBlanc, Tru, Delores and all it’s a great support system.
Visit and see if you find a spark of light.
We’re eager to meet you.
— Marsha 04Sep2020

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Peter

“Joining Dementia Mentors got me away from the isolated world I had got used to,
it is by far my best social activity”
— Peter 31 Aug 2020

…

Robert (in “tour” picture below)

see vid at https://vimeo.com/189559568 .

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Terrie (not pictured)

The Dementia Mentors Group is a lot of fun.
As the photo dhows everyone is open, honest, friendly and supportive. Different themes is a norm, laughing and smiling is an automatic reaction.
Every meeting is a blast….. — Terrie 24 Sep 2020

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Tim

“Dementia Mentors saved me from the terrible seclusion and mental pain from diagnosis of dementia brings.

When I found this group it was a bright light shining in a vast blackness.
These wonderful people became my, replacing those family and friends who forgot all about me.

I was shown a path to learn how to live with this disease.
As much as I despise dementia, I love all of the people from the bottom of my heart. ”
— Tim 25 Sep 2020

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Tru

Tru here.  I was part of the original group when Dementia Mentors was formed 01 Jun 2014 (altho we started making videos in February LOL).
I had tried mixed groups (with lots of care-partners and a few persons with dementia) but still felt off on my own, and could not connect well.
Finding a peer group of others living with dementia was a breakthrough in how i dealt with my own symptoms.

Dementia Mentors is not only an online texting peer group, but, thru virtual Zoom video Link, we visit in each other’s homes almost every day of the week — without leaving the safety of our own home.
During virtual chat, others can understand my symptoms, and i can understand theirs.
We are all “normal” — while we are within the group.  … and none of us is alone.  This is not a formal “support group”, and you will sometimes find us VERY casual (and silly) !  The feeling is usually like a family gathering around the kitchen table, because we are FAMILY.
— Tru

Vicki

Dementia mentors chat has truely been a life saver for me especially through this virus Time.
I have no family and only 3 friends I can safely be around.
It’s so great to get to see people and talk.

I’ve been encourage and supported in so many ways!
Thank you so much!!!
— Vicki on 30 Aug2020

…

UPDATE:
The group, DEMENTIA MENTORS, has been the single, most significant, post-diagnosis contribution to the return of social, emotional, and physical wellbeing for people with dementia. We’ve realized that, even with degenerative brain disease or trauma, we can still have meaningful lives with healthy relationships. We’ve discovered that we can still make friends, be funny, learn things, and find the support we need to stay as engaged in the world as we choose to be. We’ve found Life worth living again. Thanks, Gary! – MLR on 02Jan2022.  ((with permission to share 05Jan2022))

…

Video “tour” is at >> https://vimeo.com/showcase/3464118/video/264048358

—  ***  —

LINKS:

Index for other contributors is here >> https://truthfulkindness.com/index-persons-with-dementia-pwd/

My most crucial entries are here >> https://truthfulkindness.com/category/important/crucial/

Most recent are here >> https://truthfulkindness.com/ ;

Mentoring Poster at https://truthfulkindness.com/2014/08/13/new-poster-for-dementia-mentors/ ;
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i am attending few Zoom groups right now.

Calendars will eventually be removed to prevent over-Loading the upLoad limit for website “Media Library”, because they actually take quite a bit of mb.

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Disclaimer that i misunderstand things and make mistakes too, so there might be mistakes in Calendar.

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DAILY at DM (Dementia Mentors): we host more than 40 virtual memory cafes each month.
These are “member-only” gatherings for those living with dementia
(every day except Sundays for persons living with some form of dementia
— and also twice-monthly for Partners on Sundays).
More info here >>  https://www.dementiamentors.org/ .

To be part of Dementia Mentors’ video chats,
membership form is at >> https://bit.ly/DM2020contact .

Video “tour” is at >> https://vimeo.com/showcase/3464118/video/264048358

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These are OTHER events i know of during this week:

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28 Sept, Mon: Dementia Mentors’ (members only) SMALLEST gathering is currently Monday afternoons (so am highlighting it here on my blog).  10am Hawaai, 1pm Pacific Time, 2pm Mtn, 3pm Central, 4pm Eastern, 9pm UK, and 10pm South Africa. Membership form is at >> https://bit.ly/DM2020contact .

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29 Sept, Tues; FTD Patient Support Group on Tuesdays, (members only): If you have a firm diagnosis of Fronto-Temporal Degeneration and would like to join the FTD Patient Support group, please contact sherylwhitman.FTD@gmail.com. The group also has a video Zoom meeting every Tuesday; 10am Pacific time, 11am Mountain time, 12 noon Central, and 1pm Eastern time.  Members-only.  https://www.theaftd.org/living-with-ftd/support-for-people-with-ftd/ .

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29 Sept, Tues; DAA Drop-in with Dr Susan on Tuesdays:  While COVID-19 is impacting everyday life, please join us at the Dementia Action Alliance for an online discussion with Susan Wehry, MD Tuesdays  at https://zoom.us/j/4567882023  ((1pm Pacific Time, 2pm Mtn, 3pm Central, 4pm Eastern, 9pm UK, and 10pm South Africa)).

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30 Sept, Wed: LBD Living with Lewy (members-only): Membership is limited to those diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. These video Zoom gatherings are part of the “Living with Lewy” FaceBook support group, so you must be on FaceBook and a member of that specific FaceBook group.  Members-only.  https://www.lbda.org/go/virtual-groups .

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30 Sept, Wed: Dementia Mentors’ (members only) are offered Wednesday-night guided meditation series.  (( 6pm Pacific Time, 7pm Mtn, 8pm Central, 9pm Eastern, 2am UK )). Members-only.  >> https://bit.ly/DM2020contact .

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01 Oct, Thurs: Dementia Mentors’ Christians (members only) are offered “Christian” gathering on 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month.  This is non-denominational Christian group for fellowship and prayer.  (( 9am Pacific Time, 10 Mtn, 11 Central, 12 noon Eastern, 5pm UK, and 6pm South Africa)).  Members-only.  >> https://bit.ly/DM2020contact .

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01 Oct, Thursday: DAA Discussion topic …. Zoom video chat begins 7am Hawaii, 10am Pacific Time, 11am Mtn, Noon Central, 1pm Eastern time. 6pm London, 8pm South Africa. Link to join is at this page >> https://daanow.org/online-discussions/ .

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02 Oct, Friday: DAA Faith Hope and Love; using spirituality through challenging times.  Fridays at https://zoom.us/j/4567882023  ((  NEW TIME: 10am Pacific Time, 11am Mtn, 12 Noon Central, 1pm EASTERN time, 6pm UK, and 7pm South Africa )).

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Mark Your Calendars for future events:

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14 Oct, Wednesday, Teepa Snow has “Lets Talk” video chat with Persons Living with Dementia.   (( 10am Pacific Time, 11am Mtn, 12 noon Central, 1pm Eastern, 6pm UK, and 7pm South Africa )). at https://teepasnow.com/services/online-learning/webinars/webinars-for-plwd/ .

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27 Oct, Tuesday, is next Dementia Chats with Lori LaBey. (4th Tuesday).  This monthly recorded TEACHING series involving persons with dementia as experts in Lived Experience. Let me know if YOU would like to participate
>> https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyFH7iN6JFUE9oJFbRre0VAFbPWQFQcT6 .  ((4th Tuesday of each month, 7:30am until 9am Pacific Time, 8:30 until 10am Mtn, 9:30am until 11am Central, 10:30am until 12 noon Eastern, 3:30pm until 5pm UK time , and 4:30pm until 6pm South Africa)).

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* Admin issues: SHARE dementia awareness thru buttons below. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the form of comments, but please filter your comments with truthful loving kindness to all concerned. If interested in receiving notice of future blog postings, subscriptions are available through a “follow” button in the upper left corner (MS Explorer) or lower right (Safari, Mozilla Firefox and Chrome). If there is an advertisement below, I have no control over what is shown. My own full legal name is Truthful Loving Kindness. My current diagnosis is still Mild Cognitive Impairment, but my neurologist said I am in a unique position for helping because I have “one foot in each door”. Text Copyright © Truthful L. Kindness 2020Sep27. ((Permission to share from MLR sent to Gary, and Gary forwarded to me on FB msgr 05Jan2022)).  Tags: .dementia, Dementia Mentors, memory cafe, PLwD, social activity, relationship, video chat, Zoom

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