It wasn’t until my forties that the word “holistic” entered my vocabulary. I cannot remember if the term first surfaced in my school or at the doctor’s office, but I do remember liking what it meant: addressing the whole person. CFHDC Co-founder Matt Call suggested that the spelling might make more sense as wholistic, and I agree. We all have a need to be understood in a more comprehensive way, whether it be in the classroom, spending time with family and friends, or at the doctor’s office. A famous quote attributed to Aristotle states, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” It is this synergistic idea that empowers individuals and communities, because it proposes that an individual’s unique characteristics (physical, mental, social, spiritual, intellectual, emotional) strengthen that individual, and contribute to building a robust society.
On a more microscopic level than the world stage, our center values the whole individual, one person at a time. We are attentive to the tools and strategies that promote optimal health and wellness, and acknowledge that caring for persons with dementia includes fortifying our tool belt with a comprehensive investigation of their past and ongoing story: strengths and abilities, social histories, familial associations, intellectual capacities, and health.
Holistic is in our name because it aligns with our philosophy: each individual is comprised of invaluable components that impact the design of a whole care plan. Please join us on our wholistic journey to improve dementia treatment and education.
-Melissa Mirabello
