Our mission
No one has to walk the dementia journey alone.
No one has to walk the dementia journey alone.
We listen to the expert advice of people living with dementia to design education and enrichment programs that bring hope.
Sharing SPECAL® insights and practical strategies for care partners, professionals, and community members to promote well-being for anyone living with dementia.
Helping people living with dementia and their care partners discover joy on the journey through social engagement.
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
Originally Dementia-Friendly Communities of Northern Colorado®, Dementia Together started as a volunteer initiative 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. In November 2015, we embarked on a dementia-friendly community initiative as a result of the incredible community support we received with the B Sharp Arts Engagement® program, a collaborative project enabling couples living with dementia to attend the symphony and participate in a research study. When the need for sustaining the volunteer initiative became apparent, we formed a 501c3 non-profit organization in January 2017. Dementia Together remains a Northern Colorado focused “in the meantime” nonprofit organization today. 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.
We enthusiastically share the SPECAL® method as a framework to effectively and positively manage the condition of dementia to produce lifelong well-being. We collaborate with many Northern Colorado organizations as well as several national and international organizations which include The Contented Dementia Trust, Dementia Action Alliance (DAA), Dementia Map, Alzheimer’s Speaks, and Purple Angel Ambassadors. We were cited in the 2019 DAA white paper case study which stated: “one nonprofit organization, [Dementia Together], is leading the way in changing the predominant culture surrounding people living with dementia and their potential to ‘live well.’” We contributed to the DAA comprehensive manual in 2022, Pathways to Well-Being with Dementia. More importantly, we create and share joy with our friends who are striving to live well with dementia.
Cyndy Hunt Luzinski is our founder and executive director of Dementia Together. She is an advanced practice nurse, certified dementia practitioner, and the first accredited SPECAL® Practitioner in North America as credentialed by the Contented Dementia Trust in England.
Meghan Wall is our Program Manager and a SPECAL® Practitioner who oversees our education and enrichment services. She is also still (unofficially) 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 is our Business Manager. She is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and Certified Dementia Practitioner® whose mother lived with dementia.
Claire Richardson is our Outreach and Resource Developoment Manager. She enjoys building relationships and creating awareness around the mission of Dementia Together.
Esther Gowin is our Marketing Coordinator. She is passionate about capturing and sharing Dementia Together’s impactful work and loves using media platforms to create connections throughout our community.
Amy Threewitt is our Enrichment Manager. She has a background in Non-Profit and Volunteer Management, and has a passion for serving others and building community.
Sharon Keay is our Outreach Coordinator. 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 is our SPECAL Professional Education and Research Support Manager. Her 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.
Live Longer. Live Stronger. ``I serve on the board because life gains meaning when we live to help others.``
``The work of Dementia Together provides hope, enrichment, education and joy to people and communities. They are changing lives one person at a time. I serve on the DT Board to help hold them accountable to focus on people and not become overly project focused.``
``I serve on the board because I have had family members who developed dementia, and some of my best memories were serving as public relations manager for the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute. I love the people on this board, and I’m passionate about ending stigmas associated with the disease.``
Lisa’s passion for seniors started when she worked as a caregiver at Collinwood in 1993 while attending college for occupational therapy. For the past two decades she has worked with people of all ages encouraging independence and purpose.
``I serve on the board because I have a passion for helping older adults, especially those living with dementia. Because of Cyndy’s passion. Because of those I serve with. Because of our mission…in the meantime.``
``I serve on the board because I have worked with people with dementia for many years. It has affected my family personally. I desire to be a part of educating and learning more about how to walk through a day along side of those experiencing dementia. Work together in the moment.``
``I want everyone to know about the amazing work & education that Dementia Together offers & to spread this helpful & practical information around the USA and world.``
Shannon Mosness was born and raised in Fort Collins. She attended the University of Wyoming, before launching into a career in fundraising - primarily in the higher education and healthcare industries. Her husband, Tom, is a partner in a commercial real estate business and they have five ``kids,`` the youngest being 20.
Live Longer. Live Stronger.
Monica's commitment is to enable seniors to remain in the place where they have cherished memories, by matching qualified active Seniors with Seniors in need of help. This peer relationship is one in which both people feel valued and appreciated.
``I serve on the board because I have had family members who developed dementia, and some of my best memories were serving as public relations manager for the Banner Alzheimer’s Institute. I love the people on this board, and I’m passionate about ending stigmas associated with the disease. I’m also eager for the discoveries and therapeutics that will halt the progression of the diseases of dementia before the onset of symptoms.
Lisa’s passion for seniors started when she worked as a caregiver at Collinwood in 1993 while attending college for occupational therapy. For the past two decades she has worked with people of all ages encouraging independence and purpose.
``I serve on the board because I have a passion for helping older adults, especially those living with dementia. Because of Cyndy’s passion. Because of those I serve with. Because of our mission…in the meantime.``
``The work of Dementia Together provides hope, enrichment, education and joy to people and communities. They are changing lives one person at a time. I serve on the DT Board to help hold them accountable to focus on people and not become overly project focused.``
``I serve on the board because I have worked with people with dementia for many years. It has affected my family personally. I desire to be a part of educating and learning more about how to walk through a day along side of those experiencing dementia. Work together in the moment.``
``I want everyone to know about the amazing work & education that Dementia Together offers & to spread this helpful & practical information around the USA and world.``
Shannon Mosness was born and raised in Fort Collins. She attended the University of Wyoming, before launching into a career in fundraising - primarily in the higher education and healthcare industries. Her husband, Tom, is a partner in a commercial real estate business and they have five ``kids,`` the youngest being 20.
Chris Imsland of Imsland Consulting: An experienced consultant with a demonstrated history of working in the non profit industry. Chris is skilled in providing organizations with grant and proposal writing, fundraising strategy, organizational management, and business development services. Because of our thoughtful strategy, engaged board of directors, and community energy around our work, Chris remarked at a recent board retreat, “Dementia Together is the best new nonprofit I’ve seen.”
Code Geek, 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, is a videography and photography company that specializes in telling your story.
Periscope Theory, an organizational development consulting business that provides strategic, relationship focused services which help us maintain best practice.
Phil Leathery, expert living with dementia and Joan Leathery, care partner
Phil Thompson, expert living with dementia and Cathy Thompson, care partner
Chuck Hanson, expert living with dementia and Sheryl Hanson, care partner
Beverly Gamble, expert living with dementia and Bill Gamble, care partner
Give monthly and you’ll join a community that’s dedicated to walking the dementia journey together.