About
Dementia Map is brought to you by:
Lori La Bey of Alzheimer’s Speaks and
Dave Wiederrich of Memory Cafe Directory!
Lori and Dave understand the critical nature of having 24/7 access to valuable and actionable dementia resources for those diagnosed, as well as those who care or service them. Learn more about these two professionals and the perspectives they bring to Dementia Map, the first Global Resource Directory of its kind.
Lori La Bey
Lori’s mother Dorothy lived with dementia for 30 years. From day one, she saw the need for a universal dementia resource directory. Through her mother’s illness, Lori had many struggles and frustrations finding resources. She got sick and tired of organizations deciding what was best for her mother and her family. This was especially true, given they did not personally know them, and had few options to offer.
Frustration grew into determination to make a difference and do things a different way – a better way – for both families and professionals. So, Lori gave up her 25-year career as a residential Realtor®. A career she loved and never saw herself leaving.
Today, Lori La Bey is known around the world for her progressive work in moving our dementia care forward. She created Alzheimer’s Speaks in 2008, which is a Minnesota-based advocacy group and media outlet providing new delivery systems, education, and support. She integrates strategies for how to change people’s attitudes of how they look at and treat those living with any form of dementia as well as those who care for them.
Lori and Alzheimer’s Speaks have been recognized by: Oprah as a “Health Hero”, Maria Shriver as an “Architect of Change”, Dr. Oz and Sharecare as the “#1 Influencer Online for Alzheimer’s”, AARP MN as an “Inspiring Leader and Disruptor”, and the National Institute of Dementia Education endorsed her and gave her their “Seal of Excellence.”
Not only is Lori the founder of Alzheimer’s Speaks but she is known as a top influencer in the arena of dementia and a passionate and inspiring keynote speaker whose voice has lifted individuals and organizations around the world. She shines a light on new and existing products, services, tools, and information which are needed by so many throughout the globe.
She believes we can’t make true integrated and sustainable change unless we hear from people at all levels. So, that had to include the true experts: those diagnosed and their families and friends who support them. They are the ones in the trenches living with the disease. They are the ones adapting to new normals and finding out how to live graciously alongside dementia, while ensuring quality of life was not pushed aside.
The rules which guided Lori to create Alzheimer’s Speaks are still in place today:
- Improve the system.
- Look and listen deeply.
- Be respectful.
- Believe in your power of one.
- Kick the word “failure” to the curb.
- Remove the word “perfect” and replace it with “PROGRESS!”
- See a need? Improve it!
- Have an idea? Make plan and try it!
- Accept there is always more to learn, and a better way to do something.
- No matter what, life is filled with goodness. So, look for the joy and be guided by it.
To give you an idea of how the list above has guided Lori’s journey as founder of Alzheimer’s Speaks here is a list various platforms and movements she has developed or in which she has collaborated:
In 2008, La Bey stated Alzheimer’s Speaks Blog.
In 2011, Lori launched of Alzheimer’s Speaks Radio believed to be the first program dedicated to dementia in the world, along with the webinar series called, “Dementia Chats™,” whose experts are living with a form of dementia. Also, in Roseville, Minnesota, she kicked off what is believed to be the first Memory Café in the United States.
In 2013, La Bey ignited the fire behind the first Dementia Friendly Community in the U.S., in Watertown, Wisconsin with the Lutheran Home Association. That November, she was appointed as an International Ambassador for the Purple Angel Project, which is a global symbol for dementia
In 2015, La Bey become a Platinum Sponsor and helped launch the Hollywood film, “His Neighbor Phil,” now called “A Timeless Love.” The film highlights a wide range of emotions families struggle with, as well as the great depths of simple joys while experiencing and caring for someone with dementia.
In 2013, Lori was committee member that developed the Dementia Caregivers Re-Entry Initiative, through the Roseville, Minnesota “Alzheimer’s and Dementia Community Action Team” of which she is founding member.
In 2017, Lori identified a need for Dementia Friendly Travel; and had a successful Symposium and Caribbean Cruise for those with early to mid-memory loss, their families, and friends.
In 2020, La Bey began Dementia Quick Tips™ a video series of what she wished someone would have shared with her as she cared for her mother. And today Lori so proud to partner with Dave Wiederrich on Dementia Map!
In 2021, Lori launched “Dementia and the Arts Educational Panel” which is a recorded video platform. This is where the voices of people living with dementia are lifted. They share a variety of their artwork and how they benefit from doing it – all while raising awareness of their abilities.
Dave Wiederrich
Dave is the founder and operator of Memory Cafe Directory, the premier global directory of Memory Cafes. He started the directory in 2016 when he found it was easy to learn about Memory Cafes, but was very difficult to find one nearby. Memory Cafe Directory now has over 1,000 listings in five countries.
During the COVID-19 restrictions, many in-person Memory Cafes began to transition to an online “Virtual Memory Cafe” format. To accommodate this new type of interaction, Dave created Cafe Connect as a way to connect Memory Cafe participants with virtual Memory Cafes around the world. Visit to choose from one of the rapidly growing list of online events.
On Memory Cafe Directory, you can find Memory Joggers, a free “complete the phrase” activity, and Memory Cafe Spotlight, where Memory Cafes share their best practices to help everyone improve their operations. In addition, many Guest Authors tell their stories about their dementia caregiving books, helping readers decide which book is perfect for them. Other contributors provide helpful resources as well.
Memory Cafe Directory is part of JADCOM Media LLC. As the CEO of JADCOM Media, Dave manages a wide array of website properties and provides website design and other marketing and social media services to small and medium sized businesses.
Dave is thrilled to be partnering with Lori La Bey of Alzheimer’s Speaks to collectively build the Dementia Map Global Resource Directory, valuable to all on the dementia journey!
