Quotes from Richard in his first dvd “Be with me TODAY.”™

1. "Richard, you have dementia, probably of the Alzheimer's type."

   I went through most of the stages of dying. And the irony of it all was I wasn’t dying. But that’s what it feels like when you hear those words.

   - Richard Taylor

2. Alzheimer’s is called “the long goodbye.”

   Don’t say goodbye.
   Say HELLO!

   - Richard Taylor

3. I am a whole person, damn it!

   I am not half empty. I am not half full.
   I am a person.
   I am still a whole person.

   - Richard Taylor

4. This is my new purpose in life:

   It’s to say that people with dementia are whole people
   and should be treated as whole people.

   - Richard Taylor

5. We’re still whole people.

   We still have a right to personal dignity.
   You can enable us to hang onto that dignity.

   - Richard Taylor

What People Are Saying about Richard Taylor’s First DVD “Be with me TODAY.”™

1. Steve Shields, International Culture Change Leader, Author and CEO of Meadowlark Hills

   Everyone who has someone they love or care for with Alzheimer's must watch Be with me TODAY! It is an amazing, definitive window into the reality of Alzheimer's. What a remarkable and generous man.

2. Cindy Goya, whose husband has Younger Onset Alzheimer's Disease

   While researching information on early-onset Alzheimer's, I was very interested and pleased to come across your video. My husband, who was a vice president of a company for 30 years, was recently diagnosed with having the symptoms of early- or, as some would say, "younger-onset AD." He is 56 years old. …Your video really touched us in a way that no others have. You are a beacon of light in the tunnel that gives us hope that there is still life to be enjoyed after learning of his AD!

3. Marion Somers, Ph.D. (Dr. Marion), National Elder Care Expert and Author of Elder Care Made Easier

   Richard Taylor, Ph.D., has done an outstanding job of letting the world know what it's really like to experience Alzheimer's disease first hand. I know his thought-provoking insights, personal experiences and journey will awaken the minds of all who view his DVD, Be with me TODAY. Through this media he introduces a new way of thinking about living with dementia for those interacting or caring for a person diagnosed with dementia. I've been reading Richard's blog for a very long time. His words have been in my head, but it's been an extraordinary experience to actually listen to him, and very emotionally moving to watch him. He helps families and professionals understand the very complex nature of dementia. Be with me TODAY is absolutely outstanding. This DVD is very real and heart warming.

   As a professional care giver as well as giving care on a personal level, I have witnessed families dealing with eldercare issues for more than 40 years. Richard tells everyone what they must know in order to understand and improve the lives of all who are touched in some way by a person living with dementia.

4. Mark Warner, A.I.A., Author, Editor of Alzheimer's Daily News and CEO of The Alzheimer's Store

   Psychologist and professor Richard Taylor was diagnosed with dementia, probably of the Alzheimer’s type, when he was 58 years old. Now 66, he speaks to audiences, nationally and internationally, about living with the disease and understanding it from the other side. ‘Here’s what it’s like to have AD,’ he explains. ‘Here’s how people treat me’ and ‘here’s how you should treat me.’ Listen to Richard as he speaks from his heart, urging professionals and caregivers alike to recognize that ’There is a person in there.

   What we like best about this product: This is a rare and remarkable documentation of Dr. Taylor’s presentation to aging-services professionals, urging them to embrace the culture change philosophy of person-centered care. Standing ovations are the norm, as well as new enlightenment for even the most experienced professionals.

5. Carol Bradley Bursack, Blogger and Author of Minding Our Elders DVD Offers Stunning Look into What It's Like to Have Alzheimer's

   Be with me TODAY is a DVD that every person who interacts with someone who has Alzheimer’s disease should own. This DVD allows all of us to hear and see Richard as he challenges Alzheimer’s outsiders to learn more about the needs of those who have the disease.

   There’s no way any words can replace the power of watching and listening to Richard talk about what it’s like to have the disease. His main points are that people working in culture change should be asking people with Alzheimer’s what they want, what they need. We should all work in tandem. One important point that Richard makes should be obvious to everyone – we all need a purpose in life. That includes people with dementia. Culture change includes helping people with dementia continue to know they have a purpose in life. There is a person ‘in there,’ and Richard doesn't want us to forget it.

   There are challenges Richard has yet to face. I know this man will continue to teach us all as he travels this road as a person with dementia, probably of the Alzheimer’s type. This DVD is one of his most effective tools. This is one you don’t want to miss. …

   Those of you who read my blog or column may wonder why you keep seeing this DVD. The reason is that I don't want anyone to miss the chance to see it. So please forgive me for being repetitive. It's just that good.

6. Ryan Malone, Author and Blogger at Inside Elder Care

   Richard really is an amazing guy. ...This is a great video.

7. Diane Wiltjer, Journalist, Memory Screening Can Extend Quality of Life, The Pilot

   His message is simple: Folks like himself are still whole, unique people with varying personalities and capabilities who need to be enabled to be all that they can be and not disabled by a public mentality that lumps all people with the disease as coming out of the same mold of needs, interests, and abilities.

   Certainly Taylor's DVD, Be with me TODAY, defies the stereotype of what one might expect from someone who was diagnosed with dementia more than eight years ago.

   Its message is so powerful that it prompted Bill M., whose wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about two years ago, to write this note to a friend: ‘You have changed our lives by letting me know about his philosophy. ...I was the one who had to change, not Nancy. My adopting Taylor’s approach of loving and accepting her as she is now, not the way she was in the past, has taken the stress off both of us.’

8. Mike Gamble, Blogger

   This man is incredible!

9. Mona Johnson, Blogger at The Tangled Neuron A Layperson Reports on Memory Loss, Alzheimer's and Dementia: Richard Taylor's New DVD

   I just watched Richard Taylor’s new DVD, Be with me TODAY. In the 51-minute video, he talks about what caregivers (family and professional) can do for people with dementia.

   The most interesting part of the presentation is when Richard talks about how people with dementia process things differently than people who don’t. That seems like a simple insight. But when I think back to when my father was alive, I wonder if I just assumed he wanted what I would want. Maybe I should have thought more carefully about what he needed in the last phone conversations and visits we had…

   I recommend Richard’s DVD for anyone living with or caring for someone with memory loss.

10. Athena Verma, Eldercare Extraordinaire

    Be with me TODAY has a unique perspective that helps people understand how persons with Alzheimer’s disease want to be treated. It is empowering and uplifting. If you are a personal or professional caregiver, it is a must see. Go get it now!

11. Lisa Brady, Managing Local Ombudsman, Ark-Tex Council of Governments, Area Agency on Aging

    I just want to thank you. …I bought your DVD and have played it for my volunteers. You have helped me to be a better ombudsman for residents in the 32 nursing homes that I visit. All of my volunteers who were present were thankful for the experience. One volunteer from Omaha, Texas, called me the next morning and thanked me for showing her the DVD. She said that your words stayed with her the whole day and were still with her. She wants every staff person at the nursing home she volunteers for to hear your words.

12. Sonya Barsness, MSG

    I have to tell you how appreciative I am for Richard’s new DVD. As a gerontologist who has been volunteering with the Alzheimer’s Association for about 15 years, I brought it to my early-stage group and showed it. We had expected to watch only about 15 minutes, but they would not let us turn it off! The guys loved it. We had such a great conversation about it. Some members opened up who had said very little before. They were so in awe of Richard. In fact, I told them that I would see if maybe Richard was willing to have a conference call with us at some point. I do not want to overload him, but it might be neat for everyone to connect. Thanks for all your work and your passion and commitment. I wholeheartedly agree that we have to have person-centered dementia care at the heart of all our discussions about person-centered care.

13. Karen H. Nichols, RN, BSN, NHA

    I loved the video by Richard Taylor. I have used it with staff members at our home as well as with a community group. What comes through loud and clear is we are caring for PEOPLE and not a disease. Richard makes this poignantly clear. He is a testament to where there is a will, there is a way. An inspiration that all of us can use!