The Right Type of Care
when we get care right — the right type, the right amounts, at the right time — people, even those experiencing advanced dementia, can often live well in their own homes.
Family Members ≠ Unpaid Caregivers
Let’s stop the message that family members are “unpaid caregivers.” Caregiving is challenging, difficult, and hard, but it is also what families wish to do and find meaning in. Check out the video for more thoughts.
Stories Over Stress
Stories are so important. By remembering the stories my companions share, I can bring them joy and richness when they no longer remember, and I can share these stories with them. Sharing stories lowers stress for my companions. I can also accomplish this by sharing stories I’ve seen, read about, or encountered in my day. Check out the video for…
Talking to our Friends with Dementia
If you spend time with an individual experiencing dementia, do not talk about dementia in front of them. It does not help their sense of self-respect or well-being.
Love, Admiration, and Respect
The DAWN method taught me that folks living with dementia will benefit from feeling a sense of love, admiration, and respect. But in the same way, caregiver spouses need this too! Pushing a caregiver spouse toward what we believe they need doesn’t work - instead, we need to show them love, admiration, and respect. We need to give them the…