Tuesday Group

Thirteen Lessons Persons living with cognitive challenges offer lessons to springboard further conversation Seattle, 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.pdf At 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 Group The 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: executivedirector@imstillhere.org PHONE: 781-816-5151 EMAIL: info@imstillhere.org I'm Still Here PO Box 323 Lexington, MA 02420