People living with dementia are not children. They have decades of experience and loads of muscle memory attached with the safe and effective use of tools such as knives. Until the end stages of dementia where the movement part of the brain forgets how to work and how to help the body move, folks with dementia can likely still safely…
“Greenies” on the countertop of an older woman who does not have a dog. Yep. It’s what we do. You see, our team has the privilege of walking very closely alongside our companions who are benefitting from our special and unique care. Folks who are older than most of us, and most living with dementia. We regularly coordinate and oversee…
Yesterday, my companion with dementia and I were driving to one of our favorite places: the local thrift store. As we drove, she spontaneously erupted into singing the song, “The more we get together, together, together, the more we get together, the happier we will be.” So, of course, I joined in. We have sung this song together many times…
Have you ever found yourself in the same posture as someone you're talking to, yawning when someone near you yawns, or flinching when you witness someone getting hurt? Maybe you've smiled at a baby at the grocery store and delighted in the adorable way she smiled back at you, or felt warm and fuzzy when you saw someone snuggling their…
My mood becomes their mood. Because of the diminishing ability to analyze, interpret, and decide what to do about information in the environment, my companions with dementia become “victim” to whatever mood I bring to their doorstep; whatever mood I possess during our time together. If I show up and bring with me my concern for what is going on…
