Dementia from Different Perspectives
June 16, 2022, 11 am - 1 pm via Zoom Webinar
With our rapidly aging population, the number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is increasing. In 2020, the number of Americans living with dementia was approximately 7 million, and in 2040, the projected number is 12 million. And certain groups of people are disproportionately impacted by dementia.
Our next Northland Diversity in Aging Series event focused on dementia will be held through Zoom Webinar on June 16, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. This event will feature experts who will present the latest research and highlight the impacts on diverse groups of people living with dementia and their caregivers. And two lived-experience caregivers from very different perspectives will share their stories about caring for loved ones with dementia.
The Northland Diversity in Aging Series is a collaboration of The College of Saint Scholastica’s Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and the Gerontology Program, Duluth Aging Support, Northland Foundation, and the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging. The purpose is to foster conversations and promote learning about the aging and caregiving experience across generations and cultures.
Presenters:
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Sherry Sanchez Tibbetts is the Director of Diversity & Inclusion for the Minnesota-North Dakota chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. She develops cross-functional partnerships with community and faith-based organizations and tribal governments to ensure that all persons access the resources and support they need. Sherry brings over 15 years of experience in inclusive strategy design and data use, fund development, and change management to the Association.
Sherry has a BA from the University of Texas at Austin and a JD from St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas. She has served as an advisory board member for the University of Minnesota Medical School-Duluth Campus and was on the Governor’s Taskforce on Diversity and Inclusion. Sherry currently co-chairs the Association’s National Workgroup on Indian Country. Her experience with Alzheimer’s came when her grandmother developed the disease before she passed away.
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Dr. Manka Nkimbeng is an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and an Affiliate assistant professor in the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. Prior to that, she was a Robert L. Kane Postdoctoral Fellow in the Division of Health Policy and Management at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. She received her PhD in nursing from Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, her MPH from Boston University School of Public Health and Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Dr. Nkimbeng’s research centers around understanding the causes of health inequities in minorities and improving health outcomes for older adults. In partnership with the African Career, Education & Resource (ACER) Inc, Dr Nkimbeng is currently leading two projects with African immigrants in Minnesota. These projects seek to understand African immigrants’ dementia care, caregiving and education experiences and needs. Encompassing her research and policy expertise, she plans to adapt and test interventions that can be translated into health policies and practice to improve health and eliminate health inequities for older adults
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Mr. Anderson is a community engagement specialist for the Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team (MK-MDT) at the University of Minnesota’s Medical School, Duluth Campus.
In this role, he serves as a liaison between MK-MDT CERDAR researchers and the greater community. He attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth and obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science and later attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he received a master’s degree in political science. In Milwaukee, Tim worked as both a graduate research assistant and teaching assistant.
Tim has worked in the clinical trials industry, published a paper on rural health disparities and most recently worked for Vital Research administering surveys on well-being to older adults and people with disabilities throughout Northeast Minnesota.
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Kirsten Cruikshank works with the CERDAR Team as a community-based researcher, conducting qualitative interviews with family caregivers, healthy older adults and professionals. Kirsten has a has a master’s degree in Social Work from University of Minnesota Duluth. She previously worked with the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging on service development and grants management in the seven-county northeastern Minnesota area. Kirsten also directed a home and community-based services nonprofit organization in rural northeastern Minnesota for fifteen years, helping older adults live independently.
About CERDAR:
The Center for Community Engaged Rural Dementia and Alzheimer’s Research (CERDAR) has been established to tackle the growing challenge of dementia and dementia care needs in rural Minnesota. Current research projects address cultural factors in dementia care, rural dementia prevention, and technology to support caring for persons with dementia in their homes. We are also interested in identifying factors that would increase rural and Native American participation in ADRD related clinical trials. Our long-term goal is to improve the quality of life for rural Minnesotans impacted by dementia.
CERDAR researchers use community-based approaches to engage rural communities in projects to help address the high prevalence of dementia, and dementia care needs in rural Northern Minnesota. Over the long term, our plans are to expand to other regions in rural Minnesota. Initial data from these projects will help with the development of a larger research grant aiming to develop and examine interventions that could help improve early dementia screening, diagnosis, and quality of life for rural Minnesotans who suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD).
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Kathy Heltzer is a retired director of field education and faculty member for the University of Minnesota Duluth Department of Social Work. She completed her undergraduate work at the University of Minnesota Duluth and received her MSW from University of Wisconsin Madison. As a licensed independent clinical social worker, most of her professional career was working with children and families prior to joining the Social Work Department faculty. Her recent experience is as a care partner for her mother who is in memory care at Ecumen Lakeshore in Duluth with late-stage Alzheimer’s. Two years, ago her spouse was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia/mild cognitive impairment. Kathy has been involved with the Victory Chorus, a choir for those with cognitive impairment and their care partners since its inception. She currently serves as the Chair for the Victory Chorus Advisory Board.
Moderators:
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Michelle (Mimi) Stender is the Founder and President of Duluth Aging Support- an innovative non-profit organization that provides valuable resources for older adults and caregivers in the Northland communities. The mission of Duluth Aging Support is to significantly enhance the lives of older adults and caregivers in the Northland through resources, outreach, awareness, advocacy, and collaborative partnerships. Mimi Stender is a long-time Duluth, MN resident and graduate of Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO. She is currently completing her master’s degree in Aging Studies through Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ.
Mimi Stender brings extensive community development and leadership expertise in the following roles: The College of St. Scholastica, Board of Trustees; Alzheimer’s Association Volunteer, Caregiver Support Group Facilitator for two groups; Victory Chorus Advisory Board; Duluth Transit Authority, Community Action Duluth Board of Directors, Chair, Vice-Chair, and Treasurer, and Community Action Duluth Circles of Support program volunteer; Duluth Area Family YMCA board of directors, and YMCA Community Services Branch advisory board member; and Miller Dwan Foundation, Van Gorden Committee member.
Mimi Stender and a leadership team through Dementia Friendly Duluth founded the Victory Chorus- a structured formal chorus comprised of people living with dementia singing alongside volunteer singers. In addition, Mimi served as the Director of Dementia Friendly Duluth, a community initiative launched through the Victory Fund. Mimi’s community leadership work has also been devoted to health promotion at the policy, systems, and community level. Mimi has served as the Executive Director of Fit City Duluth, co-creator of the Healthy Duluth Area Coalition, and a Duluth local Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) Coordinator. Mimi is passionate about bringing together organizations and individuals with a shared mission to build community and enhance the quality of life for older adults and caregivers in the Northland communities.
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Dr. Amy Bergstrom is the Chief Diversity Officer and Associate Professor at The College of St Scholastica where she oversees the college’s Inclusive Excellence strategic plan.
As Chief Diversity Officer, Amy Bergstrom is responsible for leading the College of Saint Scholastica’s diversity and inclusion efforts and achieving inclusive excellence goals in close collaboration with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and the Human Resources office.
She previously served as the College’s Masters of Education program director. Amy has both K-12 and higher education teaching and leadership experience. Amy serves as a board member on the Domestic Abuse Interventions Program and the Ann Bancroft Foundation. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth, a Masters degree from Harvard University and her doctoral degree from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
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Georgia Lane is a Senior Program Developer with the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging based in Duluth, MN. Ms. Lane completed her BA in Sociology from the College of St. Benedict, and MA in Social Work from the University of Minnesota with a focus on Program Development and Nonprofit Administration.
She has worked in the aging field in a variety of capacities, including Geriatric Care Management, supporting development of a mobile primary care clinic and care coordination services with Presbyterian Homes and Services, and leading community coalitions related to dementia friendly communities, healthy aging networks, and age friendly communities. In her current role with the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging, she supports a network of aging service organizations that provide services to help older adults to age well at home, in the community of their choice. She is leading regional efforts to support organizations in adopting age-friendly policies and practices and providing assistance for coalitions to join a global network of Age Friendly Communities.
As Chair of the Board for Spirit of the Lake Community School, she is working to develop and implement intergenerational programming for school and broader community. She is passionate about fostering collaboration and strengthening networks among community organizations, public health, health systems, and older adults.
Sponsors:
The Northland Diversity in Aging Series is a collaboration of The College of Saint Scholastica’s Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and the Gerontology Program, Duluth Aging Support, Northland Foundation, and the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging. The purpose is to foster conversations and promote learning about the aging and caregiving experience across generations and cultures.