Programs
Innovation Program
​I’m Still Here (ISH) is committed to helping people living with dementia thrive through nonpharmacological engagement programs. We support initiatives that apply the ISH Principles, emphasizing meaningful involvement of individuals with dementia and their care partners in community and family life.
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The Innovation Program offers seed funding of up to $10,000 to individuals, organizations, and nonprofits for innovative programs that incorporate and demonstrate the effectiveness of the ISH Principles in advancing dementia care and engagement.
Applications are open for projects that typically fall into two categories:
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Engagement and Well-Being: Initiatives that foster meaningful connections and improve quality of life for individuals living with dementia.
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Creative Approaches to Care: Programs that use arts, culture, and nontraditional methods to redefine how care is delivered. As John Zeisel wrote in his ground-breaking book, I’m Still Here: A New Philosophy of Alzheimer’s Care, “Art touches and engages the brain in a more profound way than other activities. Arts exist in every community, such as a local historical society, community theatre, school play or local musical group.”
"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 Caulfield
Legacy Programs
The I’m Still Here (ISH) Legacy Programs, originally created by Sean Caulfield and John Zeisel in the early 2000s, began with the Artz initiative. These engagement programs use arts, culture, music, exercise, and community activities to bring fulfillment and joy to those living with dementia.
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Sean Caulfield, who served as Executive Director of the I’m Still Here Foundation from 2010 to 2017, was deeply committed to improving the lives of individuals with dementia and their families. The Legacy Programs are dedicated to Sean’s memory, honoring his belief in the transformative power of art:
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Replicated across the United States and internationally, the I’m Still Here Legacy Programs continue to create meaningful connections and lasting impact in communities worldwide.
Meet Me at the Movies
Meet Me at the Movies is an interactive program that uses short clips from classic films and TV shows to spark audience discussions. Featuring familiar and beloved classics, the program fosters meaningful connections among individuals living with dementia, their care partners, family members, and the broader community.
Meet Me at the Museum
Meet Me at the Museum engages participants in discussions about art, fostering verbal expression, attention, and social connection. Originating in the early 2000s, this program inspired similar initiatives worldwide, including MoMA’s Alzheimer’s Project and programs at the Frye Museum, the Louvre, and the Nasher Museum.