In 1995 Lisa Snyder, a social worker and dementia advocate, introduced the first issue of Perspectives, a newsletter for people living with dementia. At the time, there was very little information geared towards people living with dementia – most information was for care partners. This was a groundbreaking achievement – to create something that would reflect the issues important to people living with dementia themselves. Underlying this was the belief that people living with dementia were capable and curious – they wanted to learn about their conditions, and they wanted to know what they could do about it.
The 89th and last issue of Perspectives was released in 2017, due to the untimely death of Lisa Snyder. Years later, we recognize the epic impact of her work for people living with dementia, and her role in inspiring generations to hear their voices. We honor the role Perspectives has had in boosting efforts to provide support to people living with dementia based on what is important to them.
This is Perspectives 2.0 – an evolution of this original newsletter.
In Perspectives 2.0 we will continue to elevate the lived experiences of people with dementia. We also strive to share another perspective of dementia – one that is not biomedically-centered, but rather, driven by a focus on the PERSON who is LIVING with dementia.
While the types of dementia may be medical conditions, the experience of living with dementia is more than medical – it is about living as a WHOLE person.
Perspectives 2.0 offers perspectives on navigating dementia based on these principles/values that have been identified by people living with dementia:
- People are more than their dementia – they are full human beings with needs, wants, interests, and assets.
- People with dementia cannot be viewed through the lens of abnormalcy or deficits.
- Each individual living with dementia has their own story and experiences dementia uniquely.
- People with dementia are capable of many things.
- People with dementia are active and valuable participants in their own lives and society.
- Dementia can be life-changing in both negative and positive ways. And people can live well with it.
- “Treatment” of people living with dementia includes, and might even be driven by community, belonging, purpose, meaning, connection, and inclusion. These human needs are the basis for living well.
We are committed to sharing information and resources that highlight these values.
Perspectives 2.0 gives voice to the:
- Perspectives of the creative expressions of people living with dementia (books, articles, blogs, podcasts, music, dance, theater, paintings, etc.)
- Perspectives of people living with dementia
- Perspectives of research on living well with dementia
- Perspectives of resources that support people to live well with dementia
If you are living with dementia, we hope that these perspectives will remind you that you are not alone. There is more that is right with you than wrong with you. We see you, and we want to hear you!
