Jennifer Desserich, MPH

Executive Director & Founder

I started Dignify Dementia in 2022.  I was inspired to do so by my dad, Jim,   who lives with Lewy Body Dementia. Since his diagnosis in 2018, he has continuously expressed an ongoing desire to do is help others “like him,” especially those who may not have the support he has. As a public health researcher and educator, I wanted to know as much as I could know about his diagnosis and how (or if) I could help, so I started to gather information.  As I did this, I began to create resources specific to him that could help keep him organized (an important personal value of his) and focused on the present.   He’s been using these resources daily for four years. The toolkit is meant to stimulate different parts of his brain by employing different skills.  It helps him conduct and  track his daily activities with more independence and positivity. Through Dignify Dementia, I have the privilege to create and personalize these toolkits for you.

President

 I retired from GMAC Financial Services after a 38-year career and have a BA in Business. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband, three children and three grandchildren, and a beautiful Golden Retriever named Q.T. After retirement, I've worked in Pastoral Care at my local church and other ministries. While doing this work I observed the lack of understanding, resources and support for people living with dementia. I’m a strong advocate for people with dementia and I want to help do away with the stigma of this condition. Dignify Dementia is dedicated to helping educate people about dementia, support those caring for their loved ones with dementia and provide tools and resources to those living with dementia. It takes a “village” to support, care and provide resources for people living with dementia 

Secretary

I am honored to join the Dignify Dementia Board of Directors as Secretary in the Fall of 2023. I spent more than a decade as a member of the "sandwich generation", managing my mother's care while also raising my two elementary-school-age daughters. Arlene (my mom) initially moved into an assisted living community in Florida but eventually moved to a sister community in Colorado, where she was safe and supported in her day-to-day life. By 2014, my mom moved to a memory care community where she eventually passed away in her sleep in the place she called home for almost two years. Having learned a lot about senior living, I decided to volunteer at the Alzheimer's Association telephone hotline where I learned even more.  I re-entered full-time employment as a leasing advisor in a stand-alone memory care community, and then two different assisted living/memory care communities. Today, I am the Hospice Area Manager for Enhabit Home Health & Hospice, where I continue working to pursue my passion for helping families make informed decisions about their loved one's care.  

Treasurer

My first experience with dementia was helping to care for my grandma in 2012. It was a disease unlike anything I had seen, and though I didn’t know it then, it would have a profound effect on my future. As my grandma’s condition deteriorated, I realized that dementia is both a physical and emotional fight, not only for the person suffering from dementia, but also for the caregivers and other loved ones. Ever since that realization, it has been a passion of mine to do what I can to help those living with dementia, as well as their caregivers. I have pursued this passion in both my education and in my career. I earned a degree in Gerontology, a certification in skilled nursing, as well as a certificate in EKG technology. Professionally, I have worked as a certified caregiver, an EKG technician at a Level I Trauma Center, and now I have truly found my passion as family service counselor in the funeral industry. Each one of these positions has afforded me the opportunity to advocate for people with dementia for which, I’m truly grateful. It is such an honor to be on the board of directors for Dignify Dementia, and continue to serve my community in such an impactful organization.