The Empowering Partnership Network (EPN) is a diverse group of partners that connect and influence dementia research and innovation, advocacy and awareness, and the design and development of systems and spaces intended for people living with dementia.
Mission
The mission of the Empowering Partnership Network is to create a diverse peer network of partners that are leading a movement to promote cognitive health and transform the experience of living with dementia.
Vision
The vision of the Empowering Partnership Network is to make an impact that matters through research, policy, and practice.
Goals & Priorities
Leading the Movement
Creating a world where people living with dementia are seen, heard, and valued and where their contributions and experiences are a priority will take a global movement.
The EPN is leading this Dementia Positive movement while offering opportunities for peers to connect and amplify their impact.
Purpose & Meaningful Engagement Opportunities
Peer-to-Peer Support Programs
Improving the Post Diagnostic Experience
Reducing Stigma
Community Education and Awareness
Why Participate?
- Experience a sense of purpose
- Engage in various meaningful initiatives that matter to you
- Form relationships with others on similar journeys
- Share your story to positively influence change
- Be your authentic self without feeling judged
- Grow and learn
- Make a difference
- Offer your strengths and gifts
- Develop and contribute your leadership skills
Activities
Peer-to-Peer Connection
Advocacy
Awareness/Education
Research
Program Development
Creative/Performing Arts
Workforce Development (informal/formal)
Social/Policy Change
Empowering Partnership Network
Virtual Information Sessions
1st Tuesdays | 11:00a – 12:00p
3rd Wednesdays | 1:00p – 2:00p
Register for a Session
Call Patty Richard at (860) 628-3070 or
email her at prichard@livewell.org
The movement
What is Dementia Positive?
Dementia positivity is the practice of identifying strengths of people living with dementia and adjusting attitudes, beliefs, communications, and behaviors to create a community where perceptions of people are driven by their strengths, not anticipation of what they have lost or will lose as a result of their cognitive decline.
How it Started
Nearly twenty years after LiveWell opened its doors as the Alzheimer’s Resource Center, the World Health Organization and Alzheimer’s Disease International released a comprehensive report that proposed a new vision statement for the U.S. national dementia plan. This proposal encouraged the use of dementia capable, dementia friendly, and dementia positive concepts to inform policy, practice, and research.
LiveWell’s Dementia Positive Commitment
Our mission is to become the epicenter of the dementia positive movement. Innovations to our campus, practices, and resources are informed and driven by input from people living with dementia. Through research, education, professional consulting, and advocacy we will spread the impact of what we learn, practice, and model on campus to communities around Connecticut, the U.S., and the world.
Leading the Movement
In assessing the dementia friend, capable, and positive concepts, we discovered our our focus as national leaders of creating an innovative dementia care community had focused pimarily on addressing the living experience and needs of people living with dementia and their caregivers. Now it was time to pursue initiatives that included people living with dementia as equal contributors and bring true inclusion, belonging, and dementia positivity to our campus and philosophy.
This discovery changed everything.
It prompted deep dialogue with the people who live, work, and visit with us. What we learned in those conversations resulted in many changes to internal policy, practices, and plans. It even inspired a name change from the Alzheimer’s Resource Center to LiveWell. As conversations continued it became overwhelmingly clear that empowering people living with dementia and implementing their contributions would also require an entire campus transformation.
With a clearer understanding that living well means more than access to services and resources that can improve health and opportunities for social connection, growth, belonging, and continued purpose, we have continued to seek out ways to invite contributions from people living with dementia to co-design and co-create a dementia positive community together.
For Researchers
Leading the Movement through Research
Being able to impact research is a key component in creating a world where people living with dementia have the opportunity to contribute in ground-breaking ways. By joining the Empowering Partnership Network as a researcher, you are part of the momentum that is creating shared purpose in advancing work informed by unmatched expertise- lived experience.
Impact Collaboratory Workbooks
Join the Empowering Partnerships Network
Complete this form to join our network of partners that are working to change the narrative of how dementia is seen, treated, and accepted. When you submit your form you'll receive the details of an upcoming informational session to join us to see how you can get involved!