A Promise to Myself

Getting it right with dementia is what I have the privilege of doing each day. But it is also very personal for me, and the heart behind my efforts on behalf of those living with dementia. I’ve written about my Grandmother before, in my blog titled, “She Loved Life”. In that blog, I spoke about what she meant to me,…

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Getting Paid to Have Fun

I was visiting with some new friends recently, most of whom have some idea of the work I do.  One asked if I had worked the previous day, which happened to be a Sunday.  I said, “Yes.  And my friend (with dementia) and I went for three walks, and for a drive in the mountains, and out for lunch, and…

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Don’t Buy New Shoes!

If you are thinking of buying new shoes for your loved one who is older and living with dementia, don’t! I know that we want to do nice things for our loved ones, and we want to feel like we are taking good care of them.  But new shoes are not the best idea. Our feet are so incredibly important…

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How Dementia Heals Us

There is hope, and there is beauty in dementia.  Turns out there is also healing.  Don’t stop reading now because you do not believe me.  I’ll try to explain how in the world I could be saying that something as unordinary as dementia could heal us. If you’re still reading, please stop what you are doing and listen to this:…

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Toenails, Teeth, and Ears, Oh My!

I am a big fan of comfort care once someone with dementia is needing regular support, supervision, and guidance.  I see a lot of folks with advanced dementia being put through doctor’s appointments, procedures, tests, that they are no longer able to understand and that bring considerable discomfort to their days.   I teach families that we should use the concept…

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Our Indomitable Friend

We said our final goodbyes last Tuesday to our friend Terry.  Our indomitable friend, who said the night before she breathed her last, “I think I’m getting stronger, girls”, as we worked to get her comfortable in her bed. Just eight days before she passed away, we were out and about in the community, doing the things that mattered to…

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A Personal Note to Caregivers

Dear caregivers, We do not claim to fully understand your each and every day.  We have a sense that your work as a caregiver is possibly the most demanding work you have ever done, work that involves layer upon layer of emotion.   But we see you, and we hear you. We do our best to bring you hope; hope that…

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