In the most recent edition of Alzheimer’s Today magazine, Jennifer Carson, Ph.D., Director of the DEER Program and Dementia Friendly Nevada, shared a deeply personal and transformative story about her father, Ray Arand, and their care partnership journey. This moving piece challenges the traditional narratives around dementia and invites us to embrace a more empowering perspective.
Jennifer’s story sheds light on the stigmas associated with dementia, many of which stem from misconceptions about the condition and the people living with it. She reflects on her own experiences and discusses how If we want to change our culture’s perception of dementia, we have to change our stories about it. Her father’s diagnosis of Lewy body and vascular dementia in 2016 became a powerful catalyst for reframing what it means to live with dementia.
One of the most profound lessons Jennifer shares is the importance of seeing dementia through dual lenses: the biomedical and the social-relational. While her formal education provided her with a clinical understanding of dementia, it was her personal and professional relationships with individuals living with dementia that taught her the power of personhood, connection, and hope.
By shifting from “caregiver” to “care partner”, Jennifer and her family embraced the humanity of her father’s experience. They rejected stigmatizing language and adopted person-first language, focusing on the possibility of living well with dementia. As Jennifer eloquently puts it, “Our beliefs, and the words we use to describe them, merge with the beliefs and words of others and construct the lived reality of dementia.”
Her story is not just a testament to the strength of her father and their family but also a call to action for all of us. It encourages communities to support and connect with individuals living with dementia, celebrate their contributions, and challenge the tragedy narrative that dominates public perception.
We at the DEER Program and Dementia Friendly Nevada are honored to work alongside Jennifer Carson in our shared mission to create dementia-friendly and inclusive communities where everyone can thrive. Her story is a reminder that by changing the narrative, we can open the door to a world of hope and possibilities for people living with dementia and their care partners. To download the full article, click here. Together, let’s continue to learn, grow, and build a more inclusive and compassionate world for all.
