Hug your loved ones tightly.

The summer has certainly gotten away from me and therefore my newsletters. But please know that this feels an extra important one for me to share.


On July 23, 2026, my father-in-law David Shaff passed away after a four-plus year battle with dementia. There is a reason they call this disease “the long goodbye.” While we have missed his quick wit, his love of music and his delicious sweet treats for a few years now, there is such a finality of saying goodbye to his physical presence. It is such a reminder to hug your loved ones as tightly as possible. No day is promised to any of us, and there is certainly nothing more important than time with our loved ones and living life to its absolute fullest.


So, please honor his memory by getting outside and move your body, soak up the sunshine, eat delicious food, and have a wonderful laugh while listening to some great tunes with those you love.

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20% of our July and August proceeds will be contributed to the Dementia Society in memory of David Shaff, my father-in-law.


Their mission statement: to enhance the quality of life for those living with Dementia, caregivers and the community.


Their all-volunteer Board of Directors and Advisory Council members use the power of technology and virtual offices to help us make a real-world difference.


Dementia Society of America® (DSA) proudly serves individuals and families across the country who are facing the challenges of over two hundred Dementia-related disorders. Through vital resources, educational outreach, groundbreaking research, and critical programs for caregivers and those diagnosed, we strive to bring hope, understanding, and meaningful support to every community.


​DSA encourages life-enrichment achievements through its Ginny Gives® Awards Program, which focuses on music and singing, dance and movement, the visual arts, touch, and sensory stimulation. The Dementia CARER®, Dementia SMART®, and Dementia QUEST® Programs recognize those who serve the Dementia community through meaningful care, innovation, and research, respectively.


Lastly, DSA often provides the first significant infusion of funding for certain early-stage seed investments in advanced research centered on the causes of and interventions for Dementia, as well as overall brain health-related science.


Dementia education can help people living with these conditions, their families, and their caregivers. They aim to present resources and programs that can make a difference in your life and other people’s lives.


Educate. To significantly raise awareness and decrease the stigma in America of the spectrum of conditions collectively known as Dementia through education.


Knowledge is the first step towards understanding Dementia. It’s important for people to get the information they need so they can cope with the challenges these diseases create. Their organization can be contacted at 1-800-DEMENTIA® (1-800-336-3684) by anyone who would like more information on Alzheimer’s and all the other leading forms of Dementia.
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Provide. To make available, non-medical, easy-to-understand Dementia awareness materials and resources for individuals, small businesses, larger corporations, civic organizations, and communities-at-large. To provide monthly quality-of-life programs within continuing care communities and in public Dementia-friendly forums, that emphasize meaningful therapies for those living with Dementia, and their caregivers. These educational programs can be a lifeline for many people who are looking for ways to enrich the lives of men and women living with Dementia.


Recognize. To encourage those who: provide exemplary Dementia caregiving, counseling, engagement, and even nutritional support; develop prevention initiatives; and create innovative products, services, and solutions.


They believe that every American and each employer in the U.S. should know the facts about Dementia. Therefore, their call-to-action is simple: Know Dementia!®


To learn more about my father-in-law and the important work of the Dementia Society, please visit this link.

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