In Pursuit of Wellness LLC

08/13/2023

𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐥© 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐥𝐳𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞

The Dementia Connection Model© is an innovative non-pharmacological, cognitive-behavioral approach to dementia care and communication developed by Dr. Jennifer Stelter, Psy.D., CDP, CADDCT, CCTP, through over 12 years of research and testing.

For the first time ever, The Dementia Connection Model© integrates three prominent concepts in the clinical, behavioral, and social research of Alzheimer's and related dementias – The Theory of Retrogenesis, Habilitation Therapy, & Sensory-Based Knowledge – to maximize independence, decrease functional decline, and support person-centered care and well-being.

The Dementia Connection Institute / NeuroEssence is now offering a nationally accredited certification program on The Dementia Connection Model©, the Dementia Connection Specialist (DCS) Seminar, nationwide.:

𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 & 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝
✅ 6 CE hours, nationally accredited
✅ Recognized by Johns Hopkins University
✅ Meets or exceeds state and CMS regulations

𝐔𝐩-𝐓𝐨-𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 & 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭
✅ Learn from leading experts
✅ Clinically-trialed, safe, practical techniques
✅ Non-pharmacological interventions

𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 & 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞
✅ Starting at $199
✅ Same-day certification
✅ Available to healthcare professionals and family caregivers of all education levels

The Dementia Connection Specialist (DCS) Seminar is a valuable resource for family caregivers, healthcare professionals, and anyone who wants to learn more about how to provide the highest quality of care for people living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dementia-connection-specialistdcs-certification-virtual-seminar-tickets-679593080197?aff=odcleoeventsincollection

08/09/2023

Can you imagine a 🌎 world where aging is celebrated as a time of limitless potential?

A world where our bodies are as naturally active as we want them to be, our minds are as engaged as we want them to be, and our spirits are as open as we want them to be.

A world where we can pursue life's possibilities, at every age.

This is the world that Ageless Grace® Brain Health Fitness is creating, a remarkable mind-body program based on the science of neuroplasticity.

Ageless Grace® uses a variety of playful exercises and movements to stimulate all five functions of the brain. These easily adaptable, organic movements are designed to be done in a 🪑 chair, so that they can be done by people of any age and any ability.

In just 10 minutes a day, Ageless Grace® can help:
💡 Improve cognition (mental clarity, memory, focus)
✌ Increase dexterity of the hands and feet
🤸‍♀️ Enhance balance and fall prevention
🚶‍♂️ Improve joint mobility and stability
💪 Strengthen right/left brain function
👁 Improve eye/hand coordination
🛀 Increase efficiency in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
🤳 Boost self-confidence
🤹‍♀️ Rekindle sense of playfulness
🧠 Ease symptoms of Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and dementia

Ageless Grace® was developed by Denise Medved over 7 years with a Duke–affiliated hospital and a university graduate department. Now it’s taught in 50 states, more than 30 countries worldwide, and over 3,400 Ageless Grace® Educators have been certified.

08/06/2023

✨ Positive affirmations ✨ are little more than empty self-praise. Inauthentic. Forced. Awkward.

At least, that's how it can feel to me if I don't truly believe them.

If I don't have hard evidence to substantiate the phrase, then it must be untrue. And if it's untrue, then it's difficult for me to say it with conviction.

Have you ever felt this way?

One way to overcome this challenge is to approach positive affirmations differently by rephrasing them as questions or what-if's.

By asking ourselves 🔎 questions, we open ourselves up to the 🌈 possibility that something could be true, even if we don't believe it quite yet.

I'll use as an example the affirmation that I've personally struggled with the most:
Instead of saying "I'm ready to relax" or "I've done enough today" or "I've worked hard and deserve to rest", I've begun asking myself "Have I rested enough to do my most loving, meaningful work?"

As servant leaders, health and wellness professionals, and caregivers, our others-focused attributes mean that we often neglect practicing self-care.

So maybe you can relate to that one too?

Framing positive affirmations as open-ended questions invites creativity, curiosity and exploration.

Once I began exploring that positive affirmation and my internal response to it, I automatically began looking past my self-doubt for reasons why it's true and it lead to some insight into which thoughts and actions are serving me and which could be creating mental barriers.

Now I ask myself that question at the start of every day and that's been a powerful shift for me.

Here are some questions to help you get started with reframing your affirmations:
💡 Why is this important to me?
💡 What evidence do I have that this is true?
💡 How would this impact my life if I believed it?
💡 What would I need to do in order to believe this?

Affirmations are honest, self-respecting assessments about where we’re at, what we’re learning, and what we’re capable of becoming.

They are affirmations of truth and powerful tools for motivation and self-improvement.

💭 Comment below with an affirmation that's deeply meaningful to you or one that you struggle with, and I'll offer some suggested open-ended questions!

💌 Share to spread the kind reminder!

06/30/2023

Marisa Payne of In Pursuit of Wellness extends her sincere gratitude to Wellable for inviting her to present "Healthy Aging: Brain Health & You" as part of their Holistic Webinar Series.

It was an incredible opportunity for Marisa to debunk numerous myths and misconceptions associated with aging, promoting a proactive, fact-based mindset towards the process, and empowering individuals with practical, evidence-based tips and strategies for their daily lives to yield tangible health and well-being outcomes.

Marisa is still buzzing with excitement from the positive engagement and feedback from the 600+ people that attended live! It was inspiring to see the attendees embrace the information she shared with such enthusiasm.

She would like to extend a special thank you to Amanda Kuron, LCSW, whose invaluable contribution in facilitating this collaboration was crucial to its success and in creating a truly impactful experience for all.

If you are looking for a presenter, Marisa is now accepting bookings for September onwards. Visit her LinkedIn profile at https://lnkd.in/gXj-zQzR

06/23/2023

🎉🎈🎂This is 34! 🎂🎈🎉

Aging is living and birthdays should serve as joyful reminders of this remarkable reality.

Today, I celebrate my aging by reflecting with gratitude on all that I have done and been, all that has been lost and gained, and all the incredible people who have challenged, guided, and loved me.

My birthday wish this year is for a world where everyone has the opportunity to live well and to live long. In a society rife with ageism and myths, misconceptions, and stereotypes related to aging we must remember that “aging is a natural, powerful, lifelong process that unites us all” and recognize that growing older is a privilege denied to many.

So, on this day, I invite all of you to join me in envisioning the immense possibilities of an “all-age-friendly” world. 🌍 ❤️

Here’s how you can start:

1️⃣ Claim Your Age:
Reject the phrases “Act your age” or “You don’t look your age” and similar. These notions of ‘age-appropriate’ in this context don’t hold true. Whatever your age, however you look or act, you look and act your age; because that’s a genuine reflection of what your age looks and feels like for you. Embrace and proudly claim your age - and reclaim aging!

2️⃣ Arm Yourself:
Read and/or listen to "This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism" by Ashton Applewhite and "Ageism Unmasked: Exploring Age Bias and How to End It" by Tracey Gendron, PhD. By immersing yourself in these insightful works, you can become an ‘Old Person In Training’ and catalyst for change, empowered with a deeper understanding.

3️⃣ Get Intergenerational:
Take a moment to ask yourself the ages of your youngest and oldest friends – and question the significance of the answer. Research demonstrates that there is immense value in intergenerational connections, leading to increased happiness, empathy, compassion, and social intelligence and resulting in major health benefits for both ‘youngers’ and ‘olders’. So let’s actively seek and cultivate friendships with people of all ages!

Let’s make the world “all-age-friendly” by being curious, educating ourselves, dismantling ageism, and embodying the values of compassion, equity, and unity. 🤝

Thank you all - for all that you do, for your support, and for your kind words and thoughtful gestures on my birthday. It warms my heart and has made this special day even more memorable!

Here’s to another year, to rethinking how we think about aging, and to making a positive impact together as we continue to grow! Cheers! 🥂 🎊

“Age has given me the gift of me; it just gave me what I was always longing for, which was to get to be the woman I’ve already dreamt of being.” – Anne Lamott

04/28/2023