A stigma is haunting America.  A stigma that has silenced millions of those afflicted, and the family members who care for them.  It is called DEMENTIA.

It is time to end this silence, to eliminate this stigma, not by waiting for a “cure”, which has proved maddeningly elusive, but by changing the game — in which so many are losing — to a different game, with different rules.  What we are talking about is caregiving re-imagined … we call it “SHAREGIVING”.

We propose a radically different approach to caregiving, lifting up those who are doing the hard, thankless, generally unrewarded and unappreciated work of caregiving, and are suffering for it in myriad ways, notwithstanding their often-fierce commitment to the care of their loved ones at the great cost of their own health, livelihood and peace of mind. We are seeking to address and resolve the Caregiver Syndrome.

The family member caregiver, up until now, has been way overmatched in a very tough game that he or she didn’t ask to play, and has not been given the “game plan” or tools with which to compete, let alone win.  We are going to change that.  We are propelled by our passion and a high sense of purpose: We intend to improve the world.  We are Sharegiver Solutions.

STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES

 The Sharegiver is committed to the well-being of the person being cared for (hereinafter “the Partner”).  The Partner’s condition may present different challenges, depending on the nature and stage of their impairment, but whatever the case, the family member caregiver (hereinafter “the Sharegiver”) understands that it is the Sharegiver’s confidence, motivation, expertise and approach to their role that will determine the quality of care he or she can provide to their partner, and the quality of life that the Sharegiver can enjoy — both driven by the same purpose.

 The core principle that informs the Sharegiver game plan, and enhances the use of the Sharegiver tools, is that the caregiving experience is shared — which is not to say that it relies on “give and take” between the Sharegiver and the Partner, per se, but that the activities and learning implicit in the Sharegiver tools, designed to engage the attention and interest of the Partner, are of real and sustaining interest to the Sharegiver — enabling and promoting curiosity, growth and learning — which in turn deepens the Sharegiver’s sense of purpose and accomplishment;

 The Sharegiver is an ambassador for their Partner, and is committed to building a personal support network, including friends and family, to help as required in caring for the Sharegiver’s Partner, which is key to assuring the best care and social nourishment for the Partner, as well as, critically, supporting and providing respite for the Sharegiver.  Relatedly, the Sharegiver is committed to sharing his or her knowledge and experience with others Sharegivers to support their sharegiving efforts and personal growth

 The Sharegiver is highly invested in his or her growth and development, and plays the game through more and more advanced levels of learning and experience, developing a greater competency and sense of accomplishment, as well as the motivation — an  imperative — to share what he or she knows more widely, engaging other Sharegivers into a large and expanding “mutual aid network”, paving the way for powerful group advocacy, with a decibel level never heard before around the subject of dementia.  We will build a massive social movement of Sharegivers that will change the world …. SHAREGIVERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!

This seminal interview was recorded behind the Michener Museum in Doylestown, PA, prior to the creation of Sharegiver Solutions. It effectively presents a condensed portrait of a family member (David) caring for a loved one experiencing dementia (his wife Barbara). The full-length version can be viewed in the library section of the website, www.sharegiversolutions.com.