“We bring Rachael in for a different perspective,” the nursing school’s professor told her class. “As I said before: do what she says in practice, but remember to write the opposite of what she says when you’re taking your boards.” The class nodded, but I was shocked. “Wait, nursing schools still teach reorientation? I thoughtContinue reading “Enter the Gray Area: Communicating with someone living with dementia”
Tag Archives: alzheimers
5 steps to get you into the world of someone living with dementia
I had someone tell me recently that they’d used my Embracing Their Reality techniques when talking to their mother with dementia. “I told her that we were going to see her parents, and she looked confused. She was talking about her parents the week before, so I just started the conversation about seeing them! EmbracingContinue reading “5 steps to get you into the world of someone living with dementia”
“Therapeutic lying” is a ridiculous phrase
I work very, very hard to dispel myths about dementia. I work particularly hard to dispel myths regarding communication with individuals living with dementia. One of these myths is the idea of “therapeutic lying.” Depending on who they learned from, care partners were taught to “never lie” to someone living with dementia, or they were taught to “therapeuticallyContinue reading ““Therapeutic lying” is a ridiculous phrase”
What would YOU want, if you had dementia?
I received a great question from a reader just the other day on my blog: I was told that I have early onset dementia about 5 years ago. My Dad and 4 of his siblings have died or have Alzheimer’s. I try to learn as much as I can about dementia care. I was justContinue reading “What would YOU want, if you had dementia?”
New website = new offers
I’m really excited because… I’m moving away from one-time trainings and spending more time on what I really enjoy doing: consulting projects. I now offer a calendar on my site where you can book a phone call with me. This means zero back-and-forth emails about when we’re both available. Step One of my new consultingContinue reading “New website = new offers”
The 10 most important things about dementia caregiving
Communicating with people living with dementia can be challenging. Understand that their world may be different from our world, and that’s okay. We want to EMBRACE THEIR REALITY rather than trying to convince them of things that are true in our reality. Just because their reality is a different shape, it doesn’t make it wrong.Continue reading “The 10 most important things about dementia caregiving”
HOW TO talk to strangers about your loved one’s condition
“I wish I could take her out to lunch more often,” he sighed. “I’m just really worried that she’s going to say or do something inappropriate. One time, for example, we were in the checkout line at the grocery store and she started loudly talking about the woman in front of us. It was so embarrassing.Continue reading “HOW TO talk to strangers about your loved one’s condition”
Improv comedy and dementia care workshop now online
Our workshop is officially ONLINE which means you can take it from wherever (and whenever) you want! This is a cool opportunity for you to see how improvisational comedy works with dementia caregiving, especially if you can’t make it to Pittsburgh, PA for our workshops. We travel, so we’re happy to come to you, butContinue reading “Improv comedy and dementia care workshop now online”
Alzheimer’s and Dementia: WHAT’S THE DIFFRENCE?!
Why the loss of control motivates most “behaviors”
Cecilia was having a hard time. Suddenly, she couldn’t do all the things she used to do. She had once owned her own business, handled all her finances, made her own daily plans, raised children, and more. Now, with dementia, she couldn’t manage those tasks. Now, her family was doing everything for her, and itContinue reading “Why the loss of control motivates most “behaviors””