A long-time supporter of the arts in dementia care, Ira Asherman believes in the value of art in educating the general public that, even with Alzheimer’s, life is worth living — and that there are ways the public may support its community members living with dementia.
Ira, alongside his wife, Sandy Asherman, were the principals of Asherman Associates Inc., a negotiation consulting company, now retired, the founders of the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center of New York City, and are accomplished authors and organizers, sharing their experiences with hard life happenings, such as Sandy’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, alongside supporting Dementia Spring.
“I want to see more art that relates to people like myself and gives us a way of helping our spouses, our significant others, what have you,” Ira says of his support of Dementia Spring. “But I have a more practical need: Give me something that can help me help Sandy on a daily basis.”
Ira urges museums, artists, and institutions to think about the 7 million Americans who are living with dementia today. “Start thinking about the Sandy Ashermans of the world.” And, of the artists, “How can my art help the caregivers of the world?”
Art can help create a moment for people that encourages them to help and to do.
Ira Asherman
In fact, about 8 years ago, one of the participants at Ira’s support group at CaringKind asked the question: “Does anyone know what’s going on in this city?”
That was all Ira needed to get started: he proceeded to get on every mailing list of every museum and social organization and began publishing a newsletter listing, through the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center of New York City (ADRC), linking the people within his community to educational resources and arts events throughout the city. This has evolved into a joint venture between Alzheimer’s Dementia Resource Center and Renewal Memory Partners to build a directory of all NYC-based programs — a unique endeavor to address a community need. Download a PDF of the directory here.
With the help of their aide, Michelle, Ira and Sandy are active individuals. “We do a lot of stuff!” Ira says. He advises other caregivers to get out of the house and do as much as they can.
“People are amazed that 12-13 years later Sandy is still here with me. She doesn’t always know who I am, but that’s OK,” Ira says.
“She still gives me the occasional hug and dances with me every once in a while.”
Ira’s actions started to affect change, as evidenced by organizations that began publishing their own event calendars and launching programming that offers extended accessibility for those living with cognition issues.
Ira is an avid writer about his experience: “It’s a way for me to talk to others about what’s going on. It’s a way to tell my story. And hopefully, others might benefit from that story.” Some of the articles he has written include “Lessons I Have Learned: My Years as A Caregiver” and “The Alzheimer’s Caregiver Seven Essential Questions.”
To join Ira’s mission of connecting arts activities and programming with members of the dementia community, consider becoming a donor to Dementia Spring.
“Your support gives us an opportunity to tell the story in a way that’s visually acceptable, visually pleasing so that more and more people come to our aid and assistance,” Ira says. “And that’s what I think art can do, art can help create a moment for people that encourages them to help and to do.”
“And I think part of what we’re faced with is encouraging people to help and to be there for us and to be supportive of us and to tell our story. And I think art can help us to tell our story.”
The community within his life, friends of Ira and Sandy, who saw what was going on have jumped in over the years to help Ira and Sandy. It was “a wonderful act of love,” Ira says.
Continue spreading the love with a donation to Dementia Spring today!