Dasha Kiper, MA
Dasha Kiper, MA
Director of Caregiver Support
Dasha Kiper began her career in dementia disorders once she became a live-in care partner. That experience has led to over a decade of supporting caregivers, providing trainings, support and supervisions for mental health professionals. She is the author of the book Travelers to Unimaginable Lands: Stories of Dementia, the Caregiver, and the Human Brain where she weaves stories and brain science to illuminate the neurological and existential challenges of caring for someone with a dementia disorder.
Early Life and Education
Born in Russia, Dasha Kiper grew up in San Francisco and now resides in New York City. She earned an MA in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University, where her journey with dementia caregiving began. At age 25, Dasha Kiper worked as a live-in caregiver for a Holocaust survivor with Alzheimer’s, an experience that profoundly shaped her understanding of memory, identity, and the emotional toll on caregivers.
Professional Career
Dasha Kiper has dedicated over a decade to supporting dementia caregivers. As the former clinical consulting director of support groups at The CaringKind (New York City’s Alzheimer’s Association chapter), Dasha Kiper counseled families, led support groups, and trained professionals. Her work emphasized the psychological challenges caregivers face, such as grief and frustration, caused by dementia’s disruption of memory and reason. Dasha Kiper has also co-authored studies on trauma, including post-9/11 mental health research on grief, PTSD, and depression.
Dasha Kiper extends her expertise through writing, with articles in The Guardian exploring dementia’s philosophical implications. Her work highlights how the “healthy” brain struggles with dementia’s altered realities, a theme central to her counseling and writing.
Dasha Kiper’s Role at Renewal Memory Partners
As Director of Caregiver Support at Renewal Memory Partners, Dasha Kiper plays a pivotal role in advancing dementia care resources. Her work focuses on empowering caregivers through education, emotional support, and innovative training. Key contributions include:
Clinical Training and Education: Dasha Kiper trains mental health professionals and caregivers, sharing insights from her book and clinical experience. She educates them on the neurological and psychological challenges of dementia caregiving, such as why caregivers may mirror patients’ irrational behaviors, helping them feel less isolated and better equipped. Her training emphasizes practical strategies and self-compassion, reducing caregiver burnout.
Support Group Leadership: Dasha Kiper leads caregiver support groups, fostering environments where caregivers can share experiences and learn from one another. Her facilitation helps caregivers navigate complex emotions, such as guilt or frustration, by framing these as natural responses to dementia’s cognitive disruptions.
Advocacy for Caregiver Mental Health: Dasha Kiper advocates for recognizing caregivers as “invisible victims” of dementia, addressing the emotional and cognitive toll they endure. Through Renewal Memory Partners, she promotes resources that prioritize caregiver well-being, including workshops and counseling services that address the psychological strain of caregiving.
Program Development: Dasha Kiper contributes to designing programs that enhance dementia care, such as tailored support initiatives that integrate neuroscience and storytelling to make resources more accessible and relatable. Her work ensures Renewal Memory Partners provides holistic support, addressing both practical and emotional needs.
By leveraging her expertise, Dasha Kiper helps Renewal Memory Partners excel in delivering compassionate, research-informed dementia care resources, strengthening support systems for caregivers and improving their ability to cope with dementia’s challenges.
Travelers to Unimaginable Lands
Published in March 2023 by Random House (and Profile Books in the UK as Travellers to Unimaginable Lands), Dasha Kiper’s debut book has earned widespread acclaim, including as a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice and BBC Book of the Week. Inspired by Oliver Sacks’ metaphor of neurological patients as “travelers to unimaginable lands,” Dasha Kiper focuses on caregivers, exploring their emotional and neurological struggles through case studies from her practice. Key themes include:
Caregiver Challenges: Dasha Kiper debunks the myth of the “perfect caregiver,” showing how dementia defies human instincts for empathy and predictability.
Neuroscience Insights: Dasha Kiper explains how intermittent reinforcement (e.g., rare moments of recognition) emotionally binds caregivers, akin to addiction.
Humanistic Perspective: Dasha Kiper advocates for self-compassion, using literature and philosophy to find meaning in caregiving’s chaos.
Translated into languages like Spanish (Viajes a tierras inimaginables), the book addresses the growing dementia crisis, projected to triple by 2050. Dasha Kiper promotes her work through podcasts, interviews, and events, positioning dementia as a “silent epidemic” impacting caregivers and society.
Legacy and Impact
Dasha Kiper’s contributions have reshaped how we understand dementia caregiving. Her compassionate, research-driven approach, rooted in her experiences and expertise, makes her a leading voice in mental health and neurology. Through her book, articles, and leadership at Renewal Memory Partners, Dasha Kiper continues to support caregivers and raise awareness about dementia’s profound effects, ensuring organizations like Renewal Memory Partners lead in advancing dementia care resources.