This summer, families dug through old photo boxes, swiped through camera rolls, and set aside time for new portraits of beloved matriarchs and patriarchs as part of a special fundraiser: the Faces of Dementia project.
Civitas Senior Living partnered with the non-profit Dementia Friendly Fort Worth (DFFW) to display the pictures of 70 seniors throughout the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. The showcase featured images of people living with dementia — past or present — paired with personal reflections written by their families. Many of the stunning portraits, exuding personality and life, were residents from twelve Civitas Senior Living communities across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Misti Powell, Co-Founder and Chief Program Officer of Civitas Senior Living and board member of Dementia Friendly Fort Worth, helped lead the project. Sharing the stories of those experiencing cognitive decline is deeply personal for her, having begun this journey with her own grandmother five years ago.
“I’ve been in this industry my entire adult career, and everything I learned went out the window,” she told KDFW Fox 4 News in an interview. “Because it’s someone personal — someone I know, someone I grew up with, someone I love. Seeing that I walk into a room and she doesn’t know who I am is hard.”
The Faces of Dementia project serves two purposes: to give families a chance to share moments beyond a diagnosis and celebrate every aspect of life, and to raise funds for Dementia Friendly Fort Worth.
“To have an environment where you’re engaging in activities, socializing, forming friendships, and enjoying all the things you used to have,” Powell added, “how you handle someone in the early stages of dementia is not the same as when they reach later stages. We have to partner together, support each other, and care for those with dementia as a community.”
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Choosing a senior living community is a profoundly personal decision, but you don’t have to take this journey alone. Our team at Civitas Senior Living is here to help you explore options, answer your questions, and guide you toward the community that best supports your loved one’s needs and lifestyle. Reach out today to discover how we can help your loved one live the best quality of life.