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In this episode, I sit down with Marilyn Raichle, author of Don't Walk Away, founder of The Art of Alzheimer's, executive director of Maude’s Awards for Innovation in Alzheimer’s Care, and advocate for people living with dementia.
With a background in performing arts and a Master's in Public Administration from Harvard, Marilyn reframed her approach to dementia care after becoming a care partner for her mother. She explores how shifting from a "caregiver" mindset to a "care partner" connection fosters dignity, joy, and purpose.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Transitioning from a performing arts and government background into dementia advocacy
- Choosing active partnership over "walking away" from family members with memory loss
- Discovering latent artistic talent and using creative output to bypass fear and stigma
- Finding everyday moments of purpose, inclusion, and joy within memory care
- Reframing interactions to prioritize listening, smiling, and presence over memory tests
- Highlighting enduring personhood and honoring individual identities through cognitive decline
- Launching Maude’s Awards to recognize and fund innovative Alzheimer's care solutions
- Advocating for systemic cultural shifts in how society views and supports aging populations
About Marilyn:
Marilyn Raichle, author of Don’t Walk Away, grew up in the shadow of Alzheimer’s. Nearly everyone in her father’s family and many in her mother’s developed the disease. Her mother Jean told her, “When we get Alzheimer’s, walk away. There is nothing you can do, so live your life and don’t sacrifice it for us.” Instead, Raichle became transformed, embracing the value and joy of people who are living with, not suffering from, dementia.
She began her career in the performing arts. She founded the Seattle International Children’s Festival, introducing children to world culture through the performing arts. In 2007, she received a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Upon returning to Seattle, her career was upended when she became the family caregiver for her parents, both of whom were developing dementia.
It was a rocky journey, at first reluctant and ultimately joyous. In 2010, inspired by her mother’s newfound artistic ability, she founded The Art of Alzheimer’s, celebrating the creativity of people living with dementia and the power of the creative arts to enrich and empower their lives. She is now the Executive Director of Maude’s Awards for Innovation in Alzheimer’s Care.
Don't Walk Away, A Care Partner's Journey - book
https://a.co/d/0iNgz3fb
Maude's Awards for Innovation in Alzheimer's Care
https://maudesawards.org
https://dontwalkaway.net/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilynraichle/
https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.raichle
https://www.instagram.com/raichlem/
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