ABOUT
Greetings unto you my friend! My name is Dr. Debra Tann, and for the past five years, I have committed my life’s work to the advocacy of Alzheimer’s and related dementias. My calling is to educate, empower, and encourage those in our community and at-large. Reminiscent is the name of the business. Why the name Reminiscent you may ask? Operationally defined, it is an awakening of memories of something similar; suggestive (usually followed by of); her afro is reminiscent of the 1970s. The word reminiscent is an adjective. Individuals living with dementia often reminiscence or find themselves reminiscent of their past. Often they are comfortable in their past; so they may live in a reminiscent state of mind. While the name is germane, the subtleness of its sound is befitting to our mission. Reminiscent is a 501(C)3.
My Story…Could easily be your story…
A family member had dementia! When a diagnosis is given you simply do not know what to do, what to think, where to go, or what to say. Seemingly, when a doctor provides melancholic medical news such as Cancer, they generally sit with you, they may even hold your hand, provide Kleenex for your tears/nose, offer any optimistic medical advances, and provide morale and support. Additionally, you often leave the office with written materials to read about your medical condition and options. Typically the experience is the antithesis with a dementia diagnosis. When you leave the doctor’s office with a dementia diagnosis; what extensive information are you told? Are you medically guided? What are the next steps? Any resources provided unto you? Most importantly, how did you feel and how were you comforted? In my book entitled The Race of Dementia; my opening chapter deals with the many questions I pondered and how they were laced with no answers. My grandmother and my mother offered me no explanation other than my great-grandmother was “senile.” Unbeknownst to myself at the time, my great-grandmother, was experiencing what I now believe to be Alzheimer’s dementia. During this not so long ago era and perhaps even now, people quickly conclude one is either senile or crazy when it comes to dementia. Neither of the two words accurately describes a person living with the illness. Join me in the discovery of dementia and let me be the first to tell you; dementia is not a disease!
Dr. Tann’s Dementia Bio
BOOK PUBLICATION
The Race of Dementia 9/2020
CERTIFICATION & LICENSEURE
Becoming Dementia Aware Positive Approach to Care, Teepa Snow 11/2019
Dementia Virtual Tour Facilitator Evidenced Based Dementia, Second Wind Dreams 1/2020
Dementia Friendly Champion 11/2020
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT
Dementia Action Alliance Cultural Challenges for African American, Hispanics, and LGBTQ Community members living with Dementia 6/2019
Veteran’s Day Caregiving Summit 11/2020
TRAININGS
Dementia Friendly & Faith Based Initiative/10-2018 Virtual Dementia Tour/11-2018 Dementia & the Black Church/7-2019
30 Day Brain Health Challenge/10-2019 Fearless Caregiver/11-2019 Social Media/2-2020 In our Right Minds/2-2020
Georgia General Assembly Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Day/2-2020
Alzheimer’s Congressional Team Member (Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, AIM)/5-2020
WEBINARS/CONFERENCES
Building a Brain Health Care System Anne Tumlinson 5/2019
Cognitive Wellness When Living with Dementia Dr. Cynthia Green 10/2019
Bringing FTD Clinical Experience into Focus Dr. Beth Rush 12/2019
Efforts to Foster dementia Capable Communities: A Focus on Underrepresented and Underserved Populations 12/2019
Ask the Expert-FTD Dr. Bruce Miller 4/2020
Self-Care, Mindfulness, and Remaining Positive Corey Esannason 4/2020
The Playlist of my life-Building a Toolbox for FTD Tracey Lind 5/2020
Rural Caregivers Conference: Finding the Hidden Treasures 7/2020
AAIC (Alzheimer’s Association International Conference) 7/2020
Alzheimer’s 2020: Advocating on the Campaign Trial 7/2020
Black Lives Matter in Research Dr. Jonathan Jackson, MGH Care Research Center 9/2020
USAgainstAlzheimer’s National Summit 10/2020
Living the Grief of FTD: The Winding Paths of Loss and Resilience Mary O’Hara, LCSW 11/2020
AFFILIATIONS (not an exhaustive listing)
Us Against Alzheimer’s DAWN Method Women Against Alzheimer’s The A-List
Dementia Matters Balm in Gilead Alzheimer’s Society Alzheimer’s Association Dementia Friend
Dementia Action Alliance Dementia Friendly America Bright Focus AARP
AIM (Alzheimer’s Impact Movement) GARD (Georgia Alzheimer’s & Related Dementias) AFTD (The Association for Frontotemporal Dementia)
Reimagining Dementia Alter Program A Journey with Dementia Minds
CONGRESSIONAL & LOCAL CORRESPONDENCES FOR ADVOCACY
From: Senator Jon Ossoff (Assigned to by AIM)
Letter Topics: The CHANGE Act and Paid Family Leave for Alzheimer’s Caregivers
Valdosta Daily Times, Letter to the Editor entitled “Promoting Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Awareness to Dissuade Elder Abuse.” (Gov. Kemp signed into law 7-2020)