DEMENTIA EDUCATION - COSTA RICA

Susana Raine is organizing this fundraiser.

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Greetings and welcome! My name is Susana Raine and I’m the assistant coordinator of the volunteer-run Dementia Education Initiative in Costa Rica, which was created and organized by Katya De Luisa, a dementia educator for more than 25 years and author of “Journey through the Infinite Mind: The Science and Spirituality of Dementia.”

THE INITIATIVE

This initiative focuses on rural communities outside the capital where resources and information are scarce. Traditionally, in Costa Rica the elderly is cared for by their families and although most rural families remain intact, the challenges of 24/7 care of a person with dementia can be overwhelming.

Through personal appearances in Costa Rica and online zoom presentations, Katya offers practical and innovative information in Spanish and English to families and caregivers of those with dementia, including basic information on dementia, its signs and symptoms, behavior and perception, and how to increase and maintain communication with a person with dementia and improve their care.

All presentations are free of charge for community attendees.

KATYA’S APPROACH

While most dementia educators focus on helping families and caregivers “manage” the person they are caring for, Katya presents basic information on brain structure and function, then explains how damage to different parts of the brain causes certain kinds of behavior. She helps us step into their shoes so we can understand their inner world and love them in a more empathetic manner. As our understanding grows, the way we perceive the situation changes as well.

Katya shows us that each one of us is composed of multiple influences and experiences, which are stored in different parts of our brain. When parts of the brain are damaged, persons with dementia lose those connections and families may think they’re not there anymore (“I feel like I’ve lost my husband/wife/mother/father.”…) However, while they no longer live that role, other parts are still there and can be communicated with.

Many of us, myself included, wish we had learned this while our loved one was still alive as it would have made an enormous difference for ourselves and for them.

PRESENTLY:

This project has been operating for two years and is funded primarily out-of-pocket and through gifting from many generous individuals. We were recently able to purchase much needed audio/visual equipment with donations received through GoFundMe.

In September Katya and I will be traveling to southern Costa Rica to visit several communities and to coordinate talks, including in three Indigenous territories. Two such talks have already been scheduled.

WISH LIST:

1. Funding for the September trip, (presently unfunded) This three-week trip requires financial help for travel expenses, food, and lodging. All contributions are greatly appreciated and expense accounting is available. ($600)

2. Printed materials: Dementia and resource information handouts ($100)

3. Ongoing sponsored funding for technical assistance to produce online live and recorded dementia education. This component has the potential of reaching larger audiences both internationally and within Costa Rica, especially remote audiences and communities. ($200 monthly)

For more information, click on the links below.

Katya's book:

In English: https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Through-Infinite-Mind-Spirituality/dp/164438003X

In Spanish: https://www.amazon.com/Viaje-Traves-Mente-Infinita-Espiritualidad/dp/1647196477

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katya.deluisa/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheInfiniteMin1

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katya-de-luisa-5a789319/

WEBSITES:

Infinite Mind Project: https://www.theinfinitemind.org/

Dementia Learning Institute: https://www.dementialearninginstitute.com/

VIDEOS: