Keynote Presentation: Love in the Land of Dementia: Finding the Gifts in the Caregiver’s Journey through Alzheimer’s
Based on Deborah’s true stories, these presentations offer listeners insights into the caregiver’s emotional and spiritual journey. Throughout her mother’s Alzheimer’s, Deborah practiced finding the joys in each interaction, explored creative ways to connect with her mom, and developed new rituals to anchor holidays and celebrations. Deborah’s presentation, Love in the Land of Dementia, performed with Ron Zoglin, offers insight, humor and hope to family members, friends, and caregivers.
Caregivers, family members, friends, long-term care staff, health care professionals, hospice workers, spiritual leaders, lay ministers and congregants have all benefited from listening to this program.
Deborah and Ron have also performed her writings for Alzheimer’s Associations and caregivers groups in the United States, New Zealand, Nova Scotia, Puerto Rico, England, Ireland, Chile, Costa Rica, Italy, Turkey and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Your program changed the way I look at this dementia disease. You have energized my job. You used the perfect way to transmit strength, positive thinking and realism in dealing with people who have Alzheimer´s.” —Alejandro Montiel Hartig Hogar, Santa Teresa de Tango, a nursing home dedicated to helping those with dementia, Santiago, Chile
“Your story-telling touched everyone. It was emotional, sweet, funny, sad and appropriate as we honored caregivers. The comments I received include: ”This is the best event that Foxwood has had in my 21 years of living here.” ”Everyone should make a point to see this performance.” ”I could relate to every story, and even though I cried, I was happy knowing that someone else understood how I felt.” —Pam Husk, Marketing Event Planner, Foxwood Springs, Brookdale Senior Living, Raymore, Missouri.
“You captured it! What you said is exactly what the experience is like. Your message has to be heard!” —Carol Fenrich, Family Caregiver, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
“I have nearly 40 years of walking in this countryside of dementia and I enjoyed enormously your performance. The intonation, the focus, and above all the tenderness and seriousness of the way in which you touched on the theme, was wonderful.” —Dr. Carlos Luis Alpizar Quesada, Geriatria – Gerontologia y Medicina Interna, Hospital Cima, San Jose, Costa Rica
Presentation or workshop: The HERO Project
The HERO Project invites creativity and communication between people with Alzheimer’s, their families, caregivers and others, by using simple storytelling and scrapbooking techniques. This dynamic, dramatic and interactive process engages all participants. For additional information, please visit http://thecreativityconnection.com/html/the_hero_project.html
Additional Presentations and Workshops:
Love and Other Almost True Stories: Humorous and heart-warming tales exploring love in some of its strange and mysterious guises.
Everyday Heroes: Encouraging people to notice the gifts in their everyday lives
Mom’s The Word: Celebrating the art and heart of motherhood
The Tell-Tale Traveler: Featuring spirited journeys and oddball adventures
The Heart of the Business: Stories that redefine, encourage and highlight the qualities that help keep businesses people oriented.
Family Life and Other Peculiar Habits: Celebrating the unique, challenging and vital connections of the family
The Heart of the Season: Holiday Programs: Stories of giving, receiving and connecting
Scribbling Outside the Lines and Other Leaps of Faith: Moments of personal boldness and flexibility.
Understanding Your Own Antique Treasures: Deborah and Ron, authors of Antiquing For Dummies, share trends, identification tips, and antiquing insights.
Dementia Journey by Deborah Shouse 