Dementia Together

The dementia journey can be overwhelming, but no one has to walk it alone.

Dementia Together is a nonprofit organization that serves those living with dementia, their care partners, families and the community with education, enrichment, and hope offered at no charge, so that cost is never a barrier to support and connection.  

We realize that for people living with dementia their hope may not be in a future cure, it is in the current care. Until there are cures for the various causes of dementia “in the meantime”, Dementia Together helps people care well, so that those experiencing dementia can live well.

Cyndy Luzinski, executive director of Dementia Together, shares, "I may not have been grateful at the time when my own dad experienced dementia, but I am surely grateful that our journey led me to discover the SPECAL® method that we teach for promoting life-long well-being for anyone navigating the dementia journey. Being able to leverage my dad's experience and make it count for the greater good by sharing SPECAL® with others is a privilege. I'm thankful for every interaction where we get to see "ah-ha" moments of relief and hope when people learn about the simple dementia care method we share."

Dementia Togethers team includes several staff who have been personally touched by dementia. Knowing firsthand the impact that the SPECAL® method makes, promotes an eagerness to share the mission of Dementia Together to anyone who will listen.  

Through education and enrichment, we make living well with dementia the expectation, not the exception. 

"Your education has been life-changing for me in the way I care for my dad."

"You have helped me all along the way, made my life better in every facet of dealing with my mother, and have been available to me any time I have needed you."

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How We Help:

Dementia Together offers many programs to make living well with dementia the expectation, not the exception.

Education:  Our SPECAL education is geared toward care partners, families, health care and senior care professionals, first responders, and businesses.. The SPECAL method can be learned and used by anyone who cares for or interacts with a person living with dementia. This approach to dementia care and advocacy is what has enabled us to become recognized as the Center of Excellence in North America for the SPECAL® Method, helping people discover that “in the meantime,” until cures for the various causes of dementia are found, we can make life changing differences NOW for people striving to live well with dementia. We teach highly practical strategies which are based on an understanding of dementia as a simple disability which can be positively managed. By understanding dementia through the framework of a simple and highly effective way of explaining how it feels to experience dementia, using the analogy of the SPECAL® Photograph Album. 

Enrichment:  We offer several programs to provide social engagement, support and involvement for those living with dementia and their care partner. Dementia Together started and is well known for it's monthly Memory Cafes, which are themed social gatherings that include reminiscing, laughter, activities, and music- with a focus on joy. 

Monthly Meal Drops: A monthly meal delivered to our participants to check in, let them know we care and also to provide respite for the care partners - giving them a night off of cooking. Dementia Together partners with local restaurants to purchase meals that are delivered by our amazing team of volunteers.

Memory Cafes: Themed social gatherings for those living with dementia and their care partner, that include reminiscing, laughter, music, fun and snacks. No matter the theme the agenda is always JOY.