Our Mission
No one has to walk the dementia journey alone.
We cultivate joy while building connection for those living with dementia, their care partners, families, and the community through our three pillars: education, enrichment, and hope.
How do we do it?
We listen to the expert advice of people living with dementia to design education and enrichment programs that bring hope.
Education
Sharing SPECAL® insights and practical strategies for care partners, professionals, and community members to promote well-being for anyone living with dementia.
Enrichment
Helping people living with dementia and their care partners discover joy on the journey through social engagement.
What people say
“For ten years, my husband and I have accessed education, support groups, a variety of activities, great ideas, and kindness from Dementia Together. These years could have overwhelmed us with conflict, fear, and tedium. Instead, with ongoing help from Dementia Together, they became years of loving partnership and contentment.”
– spouse care partner
Our History
Originally Dementia-Friendly Communities of Northern Colorado®, Dementia Together started as a volunteer initiative in 2015, under the umbrella of Partnership for Age Friendly Communities. We offered one care partner support group and one memory cafe at Timberline Church in Fort Collins, CO. Today, Dementia Together remains an “in the meantime” nonprofit organization. Due to our online programming and word of mouth, our reach is expanding throughout the United States and beyond. We are supported by private donations, corporate partnerships, grants, and a lot of collaboration and passion.
Our Team
Cyndy Luzinski
Visionary, Founder & Executive Director
Cyndy is an advanced practice nurse, certified dementia practitioner, and the first accredited SPECAL® Master Practitioner in North America as credentialed by the Contented Dementia Trust in England.
Meghan Wall
Manager of Hope
Our program manager and a SPECAL® Practitioner who oversees our education and enrichment services. She is also still our Manager of Hope in her lane crossing roles with staff and participants. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Health & Exercise Science and a Minor in Gerontology.
Robin Westcott
Business Manager
Robin is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and Certified Dementia Practitioner® whose mother lived with dementia. She manages the Dementia Together finances and operations as well as supporting employees and participants in many ways.
Claire Richardson
Development Director
Claire connects with community partners and secures funding for Dementia Together, ensuring our services are offered at no charge to families. She enjoys building relationships and creating awareness around the mission of Dementia Together.
Esther Gowin
Marketing Coordinator
Esther manages our social media platforms, oversees website content, creates both print and digital marketing materials, and ensures consistent, engaging messaging that reflects our mission. She is passionate about sharing the impactful work Dementia Together does and loves using media and design to build meaningful connections within the community.
Sharon Keay
Hospitality Coordinator
Sharon works with community businesses and organizations to share information and resources. Her strength and passion are in connecting people with the resources they need. As a former volunteer with Dementia Together, Sharon finds joy and purpose in spreading the word about the great work being done by Dementia Together.
Sarah Armold
Education Manager
As our education and research support manager and SPECAL® Practitioner, Sarah’s passion for education, patient care, and dementia advocacy drives her commitment to improving healthcare outcomes. Sarah is a Doctor of Nursing Practice with extensive experience in case management, education, and dementia care.
Agostina Bezek
Administrative Assistant
With a background in Human Resources Management and a passion for connecting with people, Agos supports our team operations in many ways, such as providing help for our participants in both English and Spanish. She also is working to expand the Dementia Together services to be fully bilingual.
Meaghan Williams
Education Coach
Meaghan is an occupational therapist and SPECAL® Practitioner who works as an educator for Dementia Together. She finds purpose in equipping care partners with practical tools and person-centered approaches to help promote life-long well-being for everyone involved in the dementia journey.
Hoi
Kipgen
Development Coordinator
Hoi comes from a background in international development and has spent over seven years working in the development and humanitarian sector in places like Thailand, Switzerland, and Afghanistan, supporting grants, communications, and donor engagement. She enjoys connecting with people from different cultures, speaks five languages, and has lived in seven countries.
Sarah
Richmond
Enrichment Coordinator
Sarah brings a genuine passion for building strong, meaningful connections to Dementia Together. She is energized by purposeful work and a deep sense of community, and believes wholeheartedly that true success is found in doing what you love alongside people you respect and admire.
Andrew Hendrickson
Integrator
Our Board of Directors
Ben Aaker
Dementia Together Board President
Founder of Maaker Brands
Katie Zwetzig
Dementia Together Board Vice President
Former Executive Director of Stirling Volunteers
Sueann Swetzig
Dementia Together Board Secretary
Executive Assistant to the President at UCHealth
Patty Weible
Dementia Together Board Treasurer
CFO at Lone Tree Services
Deedra Moats
Executive Director of The Gallery at Fort Collins
Chris Smith
Deputy for Larimer County Sheriff’s Office
Brent Keele
Strategic Advisor, Business & Estate Planning Attorney at Keele & Parke, LLC
Erin Torres
Operations Manager at Senior Helpers
Brenda Trejos
Owner/Licensed Agent at Medicare Guide
Susan Walker
General Manager at MacKenzie Place, Fort Collins
Monica Londoño
Owner/Integrator at Seniors Helping Seniors – Northern Colorado
Terry Jensen
Former Care Partner
Strategic Partners
Integrity Technologies: A trusted leader in cybersecurity and IT support, who works with Dementia Together to make our operations for efficient, secure, and ready to grow.
Code Geek: Specializing in custom website design and development. Who designed and maintains our website with updates and solutions that we don’t have expertise or time to manage… and they do it without complaining (to us)!
Twelve11Films: A videography and photography company that specializes in telling your story.
EOS: The Entrepreneurial Operating System provides a complete set of simple concepts and practical tools to help Dementia Together development and maintain best practice.
Community Advisory Board
Phil Leathery, expert living with dementia and Joan Leathery, care partner
Chuck Hanson, expert living with dementia and Sheryl Hanson, care partner
Beverly Gamble, expert living with dementia and Bill Gamble, care partner
