Ageless Dreamer
Ageless Dreamer believes that just because someone is part of the oldest generation, it doesn't mean they still don't dream. We educate and remind caregivers and adult children to encourage the elders they care for to dream outloud,enhancing their quality of life. When possible we make long held, heartfelt dreams come true.
About You
Section 1: You
First Name
Laurie
Last Name
Widmark
Website URL
Organization
Ageless Dreamer
Country
United States, NH
Section 2: Your Organization
Organization Name
Ageless Dreamer
Organization Website
Organization Phone
(603)953.0006
Organization Address
P.O. Box 457 Dover, NH 03821-0457
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
Organization Country
United States
Your idea
Name Your Project
Ageless Dreamer
Country and state your work focuses on
United States, NH
Describe Your Idea
Ageless Dreamer believes that just because someone is part of the oldest generation, it doesn't mean they still don't dream. We educate and remind caregivers and adult children to encourage the elders they care for to dream outloud,enhancing their quality of life. When possible we make long held, heartfelt dreams come true.
Website URL
Innovation
What makes your idea unique?
Ageless Dreamer has learned through the years that if no one encourages an elder to dream out loud, then the dream becomes constipated and depression or hopelessness sets in. With the onset of the 70+million baby boomers on the horizon and fewer behind them to care give them, it will continue to become more important for Ageless Dreamer to be on the forefront of the minds of those working closely with elders. Ageless Dreamer works to get louder than the day to day conversations of: wheelchairs, walkers, hearing aids, lifelines, medical prescriptions, doctors appointments, what'd you have for breakfast, and did you have a B.M. today? The future trend is for more and more elders to age at home with care giving brought in as needed. These trained people, along with adult children will be focused on the primary and basic needs. Ageless Dreamer brings hope and possibility to elders and also to the primary caregivers when they've been made aware of the organization. It helps bring awareness to and raise the level of awareness for the wisdom, talents, and knowledge of our oldest generation. As an example: Imagine being born in 1906 and dreaming of riding a Harley in 2006? Or being born in 1936 and dreaming of leaving a legacy on your own written work of an artist in 2010? Or being born in 1909 and dreaming of attending college and receive an entrepreneurial degree based on your life experiences in 2009? May we all be encouraged to dream dreams too big to fill alone.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
The impact of Ageless Dreamer is at a tipping point. As we outreach and speak to the Care Giving communities as well as those trained to go into individual’s homes to assist, we’re keenly aware of the impact on both parties. Ageless Dreamer brings an added sense of compassion and relief to those care givers who are in tune to the basic, albeit critical, day to day basic needs of the elders they care for. It reminds them that as they go into these homes and communities that there’s an organization out there that provides that “intangible” option of dream fulfillment and understands that elders ache to be recognized as still being needed or have something worthy to share with others. The impact goes beyond the elder encouraged to dream outloud -- the care giver participating in the experience of the dream is encouraged and relives their own future sense of hope and possibility. Care giving can be a very stressful, frustrating, and depressing activity despite the love and compassion for the elder. The awareness of Ageless Dreamer and the positive impact of encouraging dreams and dream fulfillment can cross generations.
Problem
The primary problem that Ageless Dreamer is addressing is the need to enhance the level of awareness for the wisdom, talents, and knowledge of our oldest generation which is growing at lightening speed. Educating caregivers (both hired or adult children) to recognize and encourage intergenerational conversations that can spark dreams is ever more important as frightening statistics and cuts to Medicare and Medicaid occur. Referenced by P.K. Belville,MS, [Dream Impact Study] and published by Thompson ET.AL.showed that "Depression is an important disease for managed care and can be one of the largest cost drivers in their drug budget." Another study P.K. referenced, headed by Soo Borson in 1998," found that treatment for depression could reduce disability resulting in improved physical functioning.This one finding alone supports the placement of dream programs in as many elder care communities as possible, since it has shown to be effective without additional medical interventions or medication."
Actions
Ageless Dreamer AD)is currently completing a rewrite of its business/ marketing plan based on what we've learned over the past 4-1/2 years. Early on, we thought that our target audience was the elder themselves. Instead, it became quite clear that our objective was being accomplished through the adult child or grandchild, caregiver, neighbor, or friend. Once learning about Ageless Dreamer through our marketing efforts, speaking engagements, or networking, this audience, with the average age of 53, would encourage and engage their elder in dreaming outloud. They would listen closely for a long held, heartfelt dream and then, either facilitate it themselves, or submit the dream request to us for review. We are also in early conversations to partner with or be sponsored by businesses in exchange for the Attitude Seal of Approval. This award acknowledges to the buying/viewing public that the mfg.of the product/service respects and appreciates the wisdom, talents, and knowledge of our oldest generation. AD is in the process of developing an educational Dream program for the caregiver comm. at large, as well as a dream fulfullment product that can be sold to ECC to extend the arm of AD
Results
Ageless Dreamer has had over 12 requests to open chapters or affiliates in other states. Until we have a "solid foundation" we will focus on concentrating our efforts in NH, with an occasional diversion based on certain criteria. The expected results through our actions described above would increase our cause marketing efforts, increasing the number of the Attitude Seal of Approval awards we have the honor of presenting to companies embracing our mission and vision.Locating Sponsors who are engaged and energized by our message will allow us the financial and physical resources to help forward our message. FYI, we currently have four U.S. trademarks. With additional financial resources we could redesign our brochure and collat. to influence the proper audiences. Graphics to date have been pro bono, as has most dream activities. It is the “cost of doing business” that weighs the effort down in these economic choppy waters.The educational component will be an exciting project to have completed with the right people/trainers involved in designing and implementation of it. Extending the arm of AD is critical to growth and we believe a “Dream in a Box" concept would be received well.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
2010
1) To continue to build a strong and talented Board of Directors, as well as a Executive Board is on the top of the list for 2010. Our goal is to engage talented, high profile individuals who are willing to commit and be part of a “brilliant and cutting edge” organization. 2)Building a relationship with a business either through sponsorship or partnership is also key for us over the next 8 months. 3) Very important that we design the educational component to begin to introduce into the care giving communities. 4) The one full time paid Office Manager has been reduced to half time – with FT work load. The Founder has been performing as FT volunteer ED/CEO since the first paid ED resigned after 11 months in 2008. AD would greatly benefit with a passionate, qualified, and compensated Executive Director/CEO to lead the organization to the next level and preparing it for 2011 and beyond. They’re would be even more invitations to radio talk shows and TV.
2011 – With a new ED/CEO at the helm, bringing new knowledge and energy to the organization, the BOD and Exec Board can offer guidance and direction with a reinvigorated focus on the future. 10bronze Attitude Seal of Approvals = $ 12,000. One significant Sponsor will position AD for a quantum leap. POP marketing can be illustrated with the sponsor – displaying the Attitude Seal of Approval at the marketplace, mini ASA on th product, or mail inserts or peal off’s in their packaging, linking websites, and sharing the spotlight. Volunteers will be part of a “volunteer dream team” with tee shirts expressing their “attitude worth having” and “when I dream of Ageless”. The AD Run for the Dream and/or Golf for the Dream event is in place for 2012. The “Dear Ageless Dreamer” column will be recognized as more than a regional column. An AD affiliate location is being considered as a prototype.
2012 – The education program is successful and generating income, along with the “Dream in a Box”. AD is recognized as a leader in the field of enhancing quality of life for elders and those who encourage them to dream. Building a successful and recognizable brand, begins to “test drive” pilot program of an affiliate or similar model to expand the prototype. Solid financial base.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
Bottom Line: Lack of funding to continue in the next 6 months.
How many people will your project serve annually?
101‐1000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
Less than $50
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Sustainability
What stage is your project in?
Operating for 1‐5 years
In what country?
United States, NH
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
If yes, provide organization name.
How long has this organization been operating?
1‐5 years
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Yes
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
No
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
No
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
No
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
Approximately 150 words left (1200 characters).
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
Action 1: Raise funds through appropriate cause marketing sponsorships or partnerships. These could include businesses, service organizations, or manufacturers of products routinely purchased by or for our elders (70+).
Action 2: Develop the formal educational component for caregivers and others. Working with guidance from the educational gerontology department, healthcare providers, and others, including musicians, and/or artists, build an effective training program to encourage and promote the value of a dream. Built in will be the tools and resources to help facilitate and make a dream come true.
Action 3: Continue to build a high profile Board with energy and talent.
The Story
What was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
Ten years ago, when I was approaching 50, I recieved my first invitation to AARP. I circular filed it, but it made me keenly aware that I was about to cross into a place I'd never been. Over the next few weeks, I noticed that when I drove by assisted living, nursing, or senior housing, I didn't even turn my head to look. When I walked downtown I wondered: where were they? where is our oldest generation? My husband and I began visiting various senior living homes and there's one thing that became very clear. It didn't matter if you lived in the finest ECC or the least inviting, if no one knocked on your door to talk with you, encourage you to dream out loud, that person was usually left unfulfilled with no hope and possibility -- in other words, constipated dreams. A few months later, because AARP does not give up easily, I received my second invitation to AARP. I looked at it, didn’t open it, but this time when I dropped it in the recycle bin, I declared: I’m not an AARP-er, I am an Ageless Dreamer. Hence the name.It was at that time that I decided that it was time to raise the level of awareness for the wisdom, talents, and knowledge of our oldest generation. I wrote the original business plan as a socially responsible business with the proceeds from the sale of product to go into a fund called Ageless Dreamer Foundation. We used the word Foundation because I’m a real estate broker and my husband is a developer. As you know, when one digs a hole, it’s important to pour in the concrete so that you have a strong “foundation” to build on. That’s the way we envisioned the word Foundation. Eventually, after the plan being reviewed by a number of folks from SCORE, it was determined that, although, the plan was “brilliant and cutting edge”, it lacked the mechanism to make it work. So all the research was tucked into boxes and stored. In the fall of 2005, my husband suggested I rewrite my vision and "get it on one page". As we drove along the Nachas Trace, my husband drove, and I wrote for 387 miles and condensed the plan to one page. When we showed the single, condensed page to folks after we returned we realized we had a non profit business and would need a BOD. Since the first member is the hardest to locate (aside from the 2 of us), we reached out to a then 82 year old attorney who was still practicing law. He agreed to join the BOD which gave faith to others that it must be an idea with merit. Jan. 10, 2006 we had our first BOD with 6 members at the time. That following July we received our 501(c)3 designation and set off to change the face of ageing.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
The middle child of 5 daughters, I was always called a dreamer. It could be that my entrepreneurial spirit was always ever present and I was dreaming out loud. One day when I was in my 20’s, my Dad called me “a dreamer” and it wasn’t meant as a compliment. It didn’t stop me, but it did alert me to the fact that I was beating to a different drum. I’ve belonged to a women’s group for 20 years, and when I was in my 40’s, the group would call me a dreamer, but laugh along with me. Now that I’ve turned 60, the BOD, my husband, and others who know me well, understand that I’m a dreamer (or visionary). They encourage me and are supportive. I’ve been a Rotarian for 9 years and a full time real estate broker with my own small firm for many more. I currently act as a full time volunteer for AD knowing that it’s at a tipping point of good things yet to come. I welcome and look forward to that. My parents are healthy and are 88/91. Grandchildren are a blessing, with the 5th one on the way. Hoping to author a book soon, I'm writing a bit a day -- especially since I'm in a writing program lead by Mark Victor Hanson, author of the Chicken Soup of the Soul Series.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Email from Changemakers
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
50 words or fewer
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 | 109 weeks agoLaurie Widmark submitted this idea. |
