Check out today's video blog where I highlight how when we step into their lives with a list of things to accomplish, it can feel to them a bit like a tornado. Here's my recommendation on how we can care for them well! https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl4sUIrAsLF/
If you have read my blog posts for a while, you know that I wonder, and I ponder sometimes. I wonder while I spend time with those living with dementia. I ponder about society and how we are doing with caring for our elders. I wonder about our society’s thoughts about life, living, end of life, and end of living.…
Hope is the keyword in caregiving, and even through our own feelings, our highest purpose is to bring hope.
Caregiving-by-stealth, even without anosognosia, is how we preserve dignity, autonomy, and self-respect through the dementia journey.
You may have read about our friend Sally, who passed away on July 31st of this year. She lived alone in her own home, until the final four days of her life, while she was actively dying. She had dementia and was fiercely independent. Our team had the privilege of helping her live life her way, and die her way. …
Dementia and Depression. A better way to care for our loved ones with dementia.
Most families are concerned that if their loved one with dementia drives, they might get lost. They know that their loved one’s memory is changing, and are concerned that they will forget where they are going and/or forget how to get home. Those are legitimate concerns because we know that one of the primary cognitive skills that change in dementia…
we focus on relating in a dementia-supportive way, on meeting their emotional needs using the tools of the DAWN Method, which means that folks get the real help they need, but in a way that does not undermine their dignity, autonomy, or self-respect.
It can be a challenge to help our folks with dementia drink enough water. They may forget to drink, may believe they have taken in plenty of water and may refuse to drink when we encourage it. Most people would prefer to enjoy a drink of water, or a favorite beverage, with a companion. This, then, is the first and…
