“My dad had dementia and that’s what really turned me on to this idea that there’s got to be a better way to care for people living with dementia,” said Carolyn Lukert, co-founder and president of the Center for Dementia Education.
Through her own experience, Lukert has found that dementia doesn’t have to be so negative – the disease has been portrayed as catastrophic in the media.
“When you do things a particular way, and you learn some technique,” she said. “It can actually be an amazing experience. Don’t get me wrong – it will certainly come with its challenges, however there are many opportunities for magical moments if you, as a care partner, know what to do.”
Lukert has been active in the Gainesville senior community for a couple of years and, together with a colleague, created the Center for Dementia Education in June 2012.
She begins with a presentation called Dementia Redefined, which is aimed to open participants’ eyes to the fact that the negative perspective on dementia is not the only perspective.
By Briana Anderson
