- With Mayo Clinic health education outreach coordinator
Angela Lunde
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Angela Lunde
Angela Lunde is a dementia education specialist in the education core of Mayo Clinic's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at the Abigail Van Buren Alzheimer's Disease Research Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
Angela Lunde
The transfer of information about dementias, as well as understanding the need for participation in clinical trials, is an essential component of the education core.
Angela is a member of the Alzheimer's Association board of directors and co-chair of the annual Minnesota Dementia Conference. She is a member of the Dementia Behavior Assessment and Response Team (D-BART), a multidisciplinary outreach service assisting professional and family caregivers in understanding and managing difficult behaviors often present in dementia. She facilitates several support groups, including Memory Club, an early-stage education and support series, and more recently, helped to develop and now deliver Healthy Action to Benefit Independence and Thinking (HABIT), a 10-day cognitive rehab and wellness program for people with mild cognitive impairment.
Angela takes a personal interest in understanding the complex changes that take place within relationships and among families when dementia is present. She is particularly interested in providing innovative and accessible ways for people with dementia and their families to receive information and participate in valuable programs that promote well-being.
"Amid a devastating disease, there are tools, therapies, programs and ways to cope, and it is vital that families are connected to these resources," she says.
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Alzheimer's blog
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March 19, 2009
Improving life one story at a time
By Angela Lunde
A few weeks ago, I attended Ben's funeral. I met Ben about two years ago when he and his wife began attending Memory Club (a support and education series for persons with early stage dementia). Although Ben had Alzheimer's disease, it was an unfortunate accident that took his life.
Ben's funeral was one of storytelling. Family members young and old went to the podium and shared personal experiences in their life with Ben. Later, the podium was open to anyone who wished to tell a story. For nearly two hours, dozens of Ben's friends, colleagues and students shared heartfelt memories.
Ben was a hugger who made a connection with everyone he met. This story was shared over and over. I knew this personally because I always received a hug when Ben came to Memory Club. He wanted to know how I was doing, and in our groups, Ben would pay close attention to the person speaking; curious to understand the person behind the words. Ben's hugs and his connectedness to others were reflected in many stories that day.
For several decades, Ben and his wife had opened their home and hearts to numerous foreign and minority students and families. One gentleman told the story of arriving in small-town Minnesota from the inner city of Washington, D.C., in the 1970's. It was Ben and his wife who embraced him and helped him make his way through this difficult transition.
Ben was a teacher at a local college. A gentleman from the Middle East told the story of arriving in one of Ben's college classes. As they developed a relationship, Ben encouraged him to follow his dreams rather than be confined by his own limitations.
"Because of Ben, I am now a college professor at a prestigious university," the man tearfully said. Ben had received "Teacher of the Year Award" for several years running. After a while, the students decided that they would simply have to make Ben ineligible so someone else could receive the award.
Another woman shared that while living in this country, Ben became her surrogate father. He even walked her down the aisle on her wedding day.
Many more stories were told that captured similar themes about this incredible person I was blessed to have known for the last couple years of his life. I reflected on the richness of Ben's life and how little I really knew about him.
That day at Ben's funeral I realized the importance of storytelling, life review and reminiscence — not so much as a vehicle for dwelling on the past but instead as a way to see each person in all their wholeness.
Since Ben's funeral, I have encouraged the older folks in my groups to share and listen to one another's stories. Through this process, I find participants define themselves less by their losses and more by the accumulation of life's experiences, accomplishments and relationships.
A story is so much more than a story. Sharing life stories seems to offer validation, peace, forgiveness, wholeness and acceptance — accepting oneself with where they are at the present time is a profound experience. I encourage you to ask those older individuals you love to share some stories, and then really listen. I believe we can play a privileged role in improving the quality of someone's life — one story at a time.
12 comments posted
December 8, 2012 12:31 a.m.
Thank you Mayo Clinic! I found this excellently detailed set of articles & blog in the middle of a very dark & scary night. You see my husband of 43+ yrs has been exhibiting strange behavior since his surgery 4 days ago. I began researching dementia on my brand new smart phone & found your web site & etc. It all makes perfect sense now & has given me hope & direction!
- Cathy
April 11, 2012 5:37 p.m.
As an older person & a widow, I often feel that no one is left who knows me. We are all more than the sum of our parts. It is hard to be classified and set on a shelf. Sharing the stories of my life would connect me with others and have me feel that they see me as a person rather than a demographic.
- Lori
February 21, 2011 11:49 p.m.
Very helpful and informative post it was really a good story to read i liked reading this thanks for sharing such a valuable story
- john
August 13, 2010 3:46 p.m.
I am a firm believer of listening to stories, especially at funerals. The true person comes out from different views.
- Bob
December 14, 2009 8:37 p.m.
I'm nearly seventy years young and have experienced losing family and friends to death. When I first started going to the funerals of family and friends I openly cried but now I don't cry. I feel just as sad and the void of no longer having these people with me hurts just as much but I don't cry. Why do some get the tears and others don't when I loved and miss all of them.
- Kathy
November 21, 2009 8:27 p.m.
I truly enjoyed your story about "Improving Life One Story at a TIme". I have worked with seniors who receive home care with our county agency on aging and often realized that discussing memories helped them feel more positive, social, and gave me and their family members many pleasant discussions with them in spite of their dementia or Alzheimers. I will continue to use this and hope to work with spouses and familes in grief support after death of family members by utilizing memories for healing losses. Thank you.
- Veronica
November 1, 2009 8:19 a.m.
Thanks for sharing about uncle Ben. My mum passed away more than 2 years ago. I wish she survived her heart problem and we could have more time together. I would have taken more no pay leave from work than what I had already done to spend time with her. I enjoyed my time talking with her and she is so lovely, understanding and appreciative. She is so tolerant and forgiving. God has blessed me with mum. Thank you. After her demise, I felt so much like an orphan as my dad had passed on for many years and I had been living with mum. I thank God that He is my Heavenly Father who takes care of me. Now I look up to Him more for His guidance and strength each time I feel sad or lost not knowing what is the next step in my life.
- tanliz
September 16, 2009 3:52 p.m.
And another thing, most blogs and info seminars are for care takers. I realize that they have a need to vent and share their BUT, me (the patient) also have a need to talk and share lifes changes. How we can find new ways to cope. Let's hear from more patients, please.
- Nadine
September 16, 2009 3:42 p.m.
I have Alzheimers. It would be a comfort to hear from others so inflicted. If it wasn't me that had this, I would think a very interesting road to travel. I am forced to find new ways to get thru life. Not driving is a challange so finding ways to get around is getting my brain to ferret out new ways. It would be wonderful to see how others progress. Nadine
- Nadine
March 25, 2009 3:35 a.m.
This is a great story about life stories and should get wider circulation that just being linked to Alzheimers.
- Ellen
March 19, 2009 11:21 a.m.
test
- test
March 19, 2009 9:21 a.m.
I TOOK CARE OF MY MOTHER INLAW FOR 3 YRS IN MY HOME UNTIL SHE BECAME A DANGER TO HERSELF AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY. I LOVED THIS LADY AND IT REALLY HURT TO PUT HER IN A HOME, BUT HAD NO CHOICE. I WENT TO A ALZHEIMER'S GROUP MEETING 2 X A MONTH. MY DEAR HUSBAND WOULD NOT GO, HE WAS IN DENIAL AND THIS CAUSED ALOT OF PROBLEMS BETWEEN US. BUT AT THIS POINT I NEEDED TO BE FOCUSED ON TAKING CARE OF HER AND PUT HIS FEELING ASIDE. I FELT SORRY FOR HIM BUT STILL I HAD TO PROTECT HER FROM HIM BEING VERBERALLY ABUSIVE TO HER. SHE WAS ALSO A JOY TO BE WITH. I SHARED ALOT OF GOOD LAUGHS WITH HER. I HAD NEVER TAKEN CARE OF ANYONE LIKE THIS BEFORE BUT WITH THE HELP OF MY GROUP I LEARNED IN A HURRY OF WHAT TO EXPECT AND HOW TO HANDLE HER. SHE HAS BEEN GONE NOW FOR 8 YRS AND I CHERISH THE TIME I HAD TO BE WITH HER AND WHAT HER CONDITION TAUGHT ME. I PLEAD ANYONE TO ENJOY TAKING CARE OF YOUR LOVED ONE AND TO JUST LOVE THEM LIKE THEY ARE, NOT WHAT THEY WERE BECAUSE IT IS THE SAME PERSON THEY JUST DO THINGS DIFFERENT.. BEEN THERE AND WAS GLAD I WAS THERE TO HELP AND LOVE HER, PEARL HILL
- PEARL HILL
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12 comments posted