There are many times in conversation when we say the word “no.” We are a fact-based, reality-oriented society, after all, so it is natural to say “no” when we need to correct someone or bring pure facts into our conversation. But the word “no” can become a barrier to a peaceable relationship when one of us has dementia. You see,…
We are not full-time caregivers. We acknowledge that at the end of our designated time with our companions with dementia, we go to our homes. We are for sure mindful of the demands, fatigue, grief, uncertainty, and mix of emotions that come with being a caregiver. We do our best to support caregivers equally as much as we support the…
For those of us with healthy brains, it is fun to anticipate having time with those we love. It is exciting to plan and organize and prepare for an upcoming vacation. Sometimes the excitement of anticipation ends up being every bit as thrilling as the actual event itself. We watch the world narrow for our loved ones with dementia, and…
When we understand that not all cognitive skills are lost with dementia, we can provide strength-based care. People with dementia retain three useful cognitive skills, their intuitive, learning by experience, and mindlessness skills. When we learn how to use them to their advantage, we can provide strength-based care. When we provide strength-based care, we are able to provide care that…
Our good friend Carol passed away this week, surrounded by friends and family. Her best friend and care partner loved her through the dementia journey, in their own home, until her last week of life when inpatient hospice was the way to help her be comfortable. Carol was a remarkable woman; an accomplished musician, a mom of six, one who…
The typical pattern for how the medical system addresses dementia these days includes a visit to the doctor, and then a referral to a neuropsychologist for a neuropsychological assessment. This neuropsychological assessment typically involves about three hours of cognitive testing for the person with suspected cognitive change. A report follows, which outlines the specific areas of cognition assessed and which…
Empathy is a cornerstone for how the Better People Care team gets it right with dementia care. Empathy-the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner.Merriam-Webster Dictionary Extending empathy…
The folks we provide DAWN dementia specialist care to have lived at least six decades. Meaning they have cared for themselves, made independent decisions, and led their own lives well for a very long time. We understand, then, that rarely will they welcome the notion of “help.”In addition, most have anosognosia, where the part of the brain that gives people…
When I founded Better People Care LLC in 2018, I knew that I did not want to do the work alone. I wanted to work alongside others committed to the well-being of folks with dementia and their families.Now, I have the honor of leading a remarkable team of talented people.We are all trained in The DAWN Method approach to dementia…
A friend asked me recently, “how can you do that work when you have so many people die?”She is correct; my team and I regularly spend our workdays with folks who are living through their final season of life. And we often remain in their lives until they breathe their last. Since December 1 of 2020, four of the people…
