dementia – Page 5 – Better People Care LLC

Be With Them

This holds true for people experiencing dementia as well. Much more than a solution for whatever might be causing them stress, people need empathy and someone willing to be with them. ♥️

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…

Christmas and Dementia

What do you get for Christmas for someone experiencing dementia? Let me provide a few ideas.

Stories Preserve Memories

If your companions experiencing dementia repeat the same stories over and over, remember this:

Encouragement and a Challenge for Today’s Society.

We have the ability to make a difference by simply noticing, taking time for, and genuinely engaging with our companions who are older or those who are experiencing dementia.

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.

Can Carbonated Beverages Prevent Choking?

A practical tip for you! Research shows us that carbonated beverages do a great job of triggering the swallow reflex. If your companion often chokes when drinking liquids, try a carbonated beverage and see if it helps prevent the choking. https://www.instagram.com/p/CzW62ugupjE/

Keeping it Simple

We don’t always have to come up with grand things to do with our companions who are experiencing dementia. Going somewhere as simple as the hardware store can create a rich place for sensory and social experiences. Even while some of their cognitive skills are diminishing, their brains still benefit from some stimulation! https://www.instagram.com/p/CzEjYg1OaS6/

Old Shoes

As an occupational therapist, I understand that when we change a shoe, we change the softness, height, etc, which changes the input the body receives through the foot.

Lessons in Preparing Dinner

I want to share this quick story on my recent experience preparing dinner with a companion with dementia! This companion may be experiencing cognitive change, but she can still maintain autonomy and independence in everyday tasks like cutting strawberries! https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cyn_HF2ulvm/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==