The I CAN! I WILL! Library: A Major Milestone

Sometimes it feels like not much has happened in the world of Alzheimer’s and dementia since my father died.  We still don’t know what causes dementia, and there are still no highly effective treatments.

But there has been progress in enabling people with dementia to live better lives.  The efforts of a few professionals and laypeople have begun to reduce the stigma and isolation of dementia, and raise awareness of the rights, needs and value of people with cognitive disabilities. 
 
A major milestone in this growing movement is the launch of the I CAN! I WILL! Idea Library.

The concept of a library of ideas has been percolating in the brain of Richard Taylor for some time now.   Over the summer, he and Laura Bramly of Mindset Memory Centre worked to solicit ideas from people around the world and to design an easy to use, appealing site.  Alzheimer’s Disease International is hosting the site and providing support.

The goal of the I CAN! I WILL! project is to develop a collection of hundreds of ideas for raising awareness, talking about what it’s like to live with the symptoms of dementia, and improving quality of life.

I CAN! I WILL! needs your participation.   How did you tell your friends about your diagnosis?  What do you do to jog your memory?  What technique have you developed to communicate with someone with dementia?  What little thing have you found to help the person you're caring for stay active?  I urge you to read through the ideas posted on the site, then contribute your own.  

Comments

[Richard Taylor]

Hello, thank you for your enthusiastic support of this project. I know that many listen and believe in what you say, I am one of those people. I hope others take your advice.

Richard