Take a Deep Breath

This video is a quick reminder to be kind in situations that might be frustrating for you as a caregiver. Our friends experiencing dementia want to take good care of their surroundings and have good intentions in what they do, but often their diminishing cognitive skills get in the way.  For example, they might leave a cupboard door hanging open…

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Why what we say matters.

When spending time with one of my companions experiencing dementia, it matters how I communicate with them. They are losing contact with the recent past as their memory skills are changing. So when preparing my greeting, I thought about how I could stay in the "moment of now." For example, she will not remember the weather over the past few…

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The Gift of Time

The best gift we can give our companions with dementia is time, especially in conversations. When speaking with a companion experiencing dementia, don’t rush to fill the open space. Instead, be patient, watch them, and give them time to respond. Watch for a flicker of understanding that lets you know they are thinking and avoid the tendency to fill the…

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Driving Safely as We Age

Anosognosia is the “lack of ability to perceive the reality of one’s own condition.”  (Healthline.com; Tim Jewell; 2/27/2019). Because of this, people with dementia have some awareness that things in their lives are changing, but they have no idea how their cognitive changes are impairing their ability to do daily tasks. Check out the video below. May we learn how…

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Why The DAWN Method Works

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. …

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