Current dementia care most often has “controlling (unpleasant) dementia behaviors” as its goal. But I would like to suggest that we can do better; that an approach of “managing the environment” is the right goal. Let me see if I can explain. When our approach is that of controlling dementia behaviors, it puts us in a position of responding to…
Prestige: n. “the respect and admiration that someone gets for being successful or important” My guess is that most folks would not say that they have earned the term “prestige”. We might think of this term attached to the notion of notoriety or fame or power. But per Merriam Webster, it is more simple than that. Every person wishes to…
No one expected 2020 to turn out like it has. This year has required adjustments, patience, and new learning. No one expects, or hopes, for dementia to be part of one’s own life. Once dementia is part of the equation, it requires families to adjust the way they do things, often hiring in help, or changing expectations or the ways…
In sitting down to pen this blog today, the most predominant feeling is that of gratitude. Humble gratitude for the good of today, of this season, and especially for the good of what we do as the Better People Care team. So thank you, and we rest in these moments of gratitude: To God, who made Better People Care an…
My Grandmother’s headstone, resting in the High Butte Cemetery where the sun rises over Chimney Rock reads, “She loved life”. My Grandmother grew up in a sod house in the panhandle of Western Nebraska on land that her father and his three brothers homesteaded. I stand on this land now and wonder how they ever made sod “bricks” for their…
Two and a half weeks ago, Bob and his wife and I went for a walk in their neighborhood. It was a lovely Colorado day with sunny skies and clear air. We walked to their neighbor’s rock, which is Bob’s favorite spot to sit and rest. We all sat and rested and chatted a bit before heading home. Bob stopped…
In order to keep my car in its best shape, I trust the good folks at BG Automotive. I trust them because they know cars, they know my car, and they know how to keep it in good shape by preventing problems with proper maintenance. And when my car begins to rattle or sputter, I am confident that BG Automotive…
When the end of life grows closer, we often ponder the essence of life. Being closer to the end of life is a regular context within the work we do with folks who are older and often living with chronic health issues. And I wonder, could we (as a society) not be seeing the forest for the trees? Could it…
My friend Dottie. I’ve written about her before. She recently turned 97 years old and I was honored to be with her that day…when her family and beloved friends were not able to be with her because of Covid restrictions. The sad reality is that few residents of senior living facilities have regular visits from family and beloved friends. But…
My good friend Lola is 88 years old and has dementia. She says, “BUSY is the new 4-letter word.” Blaise Pascal, French mathematician, philosopher, and defender of Catholic Christianity in the 1600’s said, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room.” 100% of my good friends with dementia, given a dementia-aware environment to enjoy,…
