Whenever possible, expose your loved one to babies of all types. I have never seen a person experiencing dementia not smile or brighten up just a bit when they see babies of any kind.Look up pictures and videos of baby humans and animals, and sit and enjoy with them (incredible that we can improve our day by simply joining our…
I realized not long ago how the work I do now, using the DAWN Method to maximize the lives of my companions experiencing dementia, is the purest version of Occupational Therapy I've practiced in my extensive career. Occupational therapy is the art and science of "participation," a crucial tool in helping individuals fully engage in the "occupations (activities, tasks, jobs,…
Our friend deserves to be honored for her time on this earth and her journey through dementia. Our friend's time on earth was a precious gift to many, including us. She was not just a loving wife and mom, but also a vibrant kindergarten teacher, a devoted sister and daughter, and a beloved friend. She brought a special brightness into…
Creating Rich Sensory and Social Experiences for Those Experiencing Dementia Part 9: Enjoy family photos (and videos) together. The goal is to enjoy something interesting together, which does not mean this becomes an exercise in testing our loved one's memory. Instead, look at photos together to simply enjoy what each photo contains: pictures of pretty dresses, funny hairdos, nice colors,…
When I began learning The DAWN Method, I had no idea it would become so personal. As some of you may know, my dad is experiencing advancing dementia. In the past seven years, I have had the privilege of bringing DAWN Dementia Specialist Care, coaching, and training for families, communities, and professionals. Wow! What a privilege to bring the message…
Today, we look at Part 7 of our series Creating Rich Sensory and Social Experiences for Those Experiencing Dementia: Embracing New Possibilities When caring for a loved one with dementia, it's important to keep an open mind. Even if they never enjoyed certain activities in the past, their intuitive skills remain intact, allowing us to bring rich experiences to them…
DAWN Method dementia supportive care is how we preserve the skill, ability, and, most importantly, well-being of folks experiencing dementia. DAWN dementia supportive care looks like us enjoying time with a person doing things that are meaningful and beautiful to them to bring personal sensory and social stimulation, and also tending to the practical and physical aspects of their life such…
Keeping track of the days of the week and the months of the year can be very important for some folks experiencing dementia. They might need our support in helping them feel like they are indeed keeping track.
We recently have had the privilege of walking through end-of-life care with several of our companions. I have been reminded of how different the end-of-life journey is when someone is experiencing dementia. With dementia, they do not necessarily have the cognitive ability to advocate for themselves as their ability to understand how they are feeling and what to do about…
If your companions experiencing dementia repeat the same stories over and over, remember this:
