Deb Kaul
Engaging with people in the memory loss community has been an interest of Deb’s since she worked as a nurse’s aide in a skilled nursing facility in high school. As a registered nurse, she cared for numerous individuals living with dementia, but it wasn’t until both of her parents developed dementia (Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia) that she learned first-hand how profound the needs are for these individuals and families. Since then, she has worked to provide high-quality dementia education; sustained new friendships with others who truly understand because they are walking a similar journey; and a safe, welcoming community gathering space for the memory loss community to gather without fear or judgement.
Deb considers the vision and mission of Memory Cafe to be life changing, not only for herself and the active participants of Memory Cafe, but for everyone concerned with improving the quality of life for the growing memory loss community. She finds deep meaning and joy in reminding the world that a person’s beauty and value is intrinsically linked to their humanity–not their ability to tell a good joke or balance a checkbook. The friendships she shares with participants, volunteers, staff, board members, and community supporters of Memory Cafe are deeply gratifying and rewarding for her. Together, we are truly changing the way we think about and support memory loss…that is thrilling!
In her spare time, Deb enjoys spending time with her family (she and Kim have nine precious grandchildren) and friends, gardening, reading, and developing new interests in the world of creative arts.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” ~Hebrews 12:1
About Memory Cafe
Memory Café of the Red River Valley was founded by Deb Kaul and Beth Ustanko in 2017; it is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. As caregivers for their parents, Deb and Beth recognized the dire needs of families living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. Those needs include, but are not limited to: quality dementia education and ongoing caregiver support, new friendships that are sustained throughout the course of the disease, meaningful community engagement/service opportunities, and frequent occasions to laugh and have fun in a safe, warm, welcoming environment with others who are traveling a similar journey. Memory Cafe is passionate about improving the quality of life for individuals living with memory loss and their loved ones while inspiring in them a sense of hope, joy and empowerment.
Vision
Changing the way we think about and support memory loss
Values
Flourishing – Thriving with hope, joy, and beauty
Trust – Building respectful relationships
Belonging – Feeling welcomed, understood, and needed by others
Possibilities – Doing more than you thought you could
People who are forgetting should not be forgotten.