Bringing Light to Families Touched by Younger-Onset Dementia with Lorenzo's House

Imagine, for a moment, your world is turned upside down—how do you find the light? In 2017, the life of Diana Shulla Cose and that of her family took an unforeseen turn when her husband was diagnosed with younger-onset dementia. The roles within their house transformed rapidly; her young sons, just 11 and 14 at the time, became caregivers, and Diana, balancing being a primary care partner and the family's sole provider. They faced a journey with many challenges, yet, in adversity, they were not alone. Across the world, families like theirs face a similar path—misunderstood, under-resourced, and often shrouded in the shadows of stigma. Diana learned that there needed to be a place for families to gather to share their unique experiences, be encouraged and find support.

In 2021, after her husband's diagnosis, Diana envisioned and created a sanctuary for families navigating younger-onset dementia, named Lorenzo's House in honor of her husband. With an extraordinary background in educational leadership and a profound personal connection to the cause, Diana is steering Lorenzo's House towards a future where no family walks this path alone. Lorenzo's House stands as a testament to the collective resilience, carrying the banner, 'We Bring Light.' Here, they reimagine support for families touched by younger-onset dementia through their holistic care model that includes Youth Initiatives, Carepartner Connections, Memory Academy, and Respite & Healing Spaces. Their mission is to transform the narrative from one of isolation to one of profound connection, from sorrow to joy, and from shadows into light. They empower families to navigate this challenging journey with strength.

The heart of their mission shares the stories of the youth—they are the compass, guiding us with their resilience and truth. Along with Diana, Patti LaFleur, Lighthouse Outreach Lead, former care partner and a torchbearer of hope and guidance within their community, helps light the way forward. Today we have the opportunity to hear from Diana, Patti and our youth. Meet Shylah, 27, who finds solace in the shared experiences and coping strategies she gains through their community, Jaelyn, 15, whose love for art and literature becomes a bridge connecting her to peers, and Mattia, a 9-year-old with a passion for cooking, and who wants connect to others who have a parent who has dementia and know what it feels like. Their journeys are unique, yet they share a common thread: a life touched by younger-onset dementia. Their stories not only inform their approach but are integral to the pulse of Lorenzo's House. Together, they shine a light!

I'm honored to share this podcast and for us to hear the courage and the challenges, the insights, and the innovation that steer Lorenzo's House. As you listen to the voices of Diana, Patti, and the youth ambassadors, you'll discover how Lorenzo's House is more than a care model—it's a movement. A movement that's redefining what it means to live with younger-onset dementia, one story, one connection, one moment of joy at a time.

In our opening conversation, you'll hear Diana share with the youth how much their voice means to us- here is my interview with Lorenzo's House. Thank you to all of my guests at Lorenzo's House for entrusting me to share your story. It's an honor.

Learn more at https://lorenzoshouse.org/

*Please register today for their free virtual event on Tuesday, November 28th from 6-7:30 pm CT. Join them and be inspired by the voices of our Lorenzo's House community! Register HERE!

*This episode is brought to you by Gigi Betty co. A boutique gift shop raising awareness and funds for caregivers and care partners. Show now at www.gigibettyco.com. Use the special code WILLGATHER20 for 20% off your order- Just for our podcast listeners!

We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

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