“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: neurology
Tune in to episode 3 of my podcast here or anywhere you listen to podcasts! Do people living with schizophrenia have an increased risk of getting dementia? How big of an impact does depression have on dementia, and vice-versa? What is trauma-informed care? This episode sponsored by Pure Vita Co., a medical supply company: www.purevitaco.comContinue reading
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?”
Only 3 Questions You Need in Dementia Caregiving
These are my best 3 tried-and-true questions that you need in dementia caregiving. Are you ready? 1. “Where do you think they are?” This is the question that you’re going to use with someone who has dementia when they are talking about a loved one who has passed away. For example, perhaps your mom isContinue reading “Only 3 Questions You Need in Dementia Caregiving”
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””
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What does “getting a dementia diagnosis” look like?
Are you thinking about getting a more in-depth dementia diagnosis for yourself or a loved one? If you aren’t, you may want to consider it. I visited University of Pittsburgh’s Montefiore Hospital and did a two-day observation of their interdisciplinary team’s diagnosis process. The Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) is a fantastic place to goContinue reading “What does “getting a dementia diagnosis” look like?”
SOLVE their fear of water
I had a reader write in recently and ask me about her grandfather’s fear of water. Although it had started with the shower, the problem had migrated to even brushing his teeth. He was afraid of the water in the sink, not just the water from the shower faucet! She asked how they could solve this issue,Continue reading “SOLVE their fear of water”
At home, in adult day care, in assisted living…how do you know if it’s a good fit?
How can you tell if where your loved one with dementia is currently living is…well, working? How do you know if it’s the right fit? It’s pretty difficult to ask someone living with dementia what their opinion is on the subject. Even if you were to move them, would that make them happier? Would itContinue reading “At home, in adult day care, in assisted living…how do you know if it’s a good fit?”
How one woman got her husband to agree to attend adult day care
She knew that she’d have a hard time getting her husband, Ben, into adult day care. Ben loved working, and now that he was retired and had dementia, he still liked to find projects to do. Convincing him that he could benefit from adult day care certainly wasn’t going to work (and doing this withContinue reading “How one woman got her husband to agree to attend adult day care”