When Persons with Dementia “Friend” Themselves
People with dementia may no longer recognize themselves in a mirror and may think they have a new friend.
People with Dementia Need Outlets: Lessons Learned from Night Crawlers
The person with dementia wants an outlet for that drive and energy but is no longer able to channel these desires into appropriate (for us) venues. If I do not provide an outlet for that energy, drive, or purpose, then I create a problematic situation.
Dementia Care Partners: Do You Have a Back-Up Plan?
Care partners for persons living with dementia need a back-up plan. There needs to be someone who can temporarily or permanently care for the person living with dementia. Best to plan for the situation now, rather than scramble under difficult situations. Medical Emergencies Care partners are familiar with medical emergencies […]
Lewy Body Dementia
“Lewy Bodies” are abnormal proteins that show up in the parts of the brain the handle memory, sleep, movement, and “automatic” bodily functions like heart rate and blood pressure. Some people start out with difficulty moving and tremors and are initially diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Over time, they develop memory […]
How to Deal with Sundowning: Myths and Management
Sundowning refers to behaviors seen in persons with dementia that usually occur at the end of the day. Many clinicians and caregivers/care partners seem resigned that this will simply happen and that there is nothing that can be done to prevent or manage it. Which is why I hate the […]
How to Tell the Difference Between Hallucinations and Illusions in People with Dementia
Hallucinations refer to sights, sounds, and smells that come from inside the brain. Hallucinations are common with Lewy Body Dementia but can happen with any dementia. The person with dementia is seeing, hearing, or smelling stuff that the rest of us are not experiencing. Illusions refer to mis-seeing (misperceiving) objects […]
Difference between hallucinations, illusions, and delusions?
An illusion is something that can be misinterpreted by your vision or or hearing. Hallucinations, on the other hand, involve hearing, seeing, or feeling something that is not there. Delusions are false beliefs usually arising from fears.
10 Commandments of Dementia Caregiving
The 10 Commandments of Dementia Caregiving
Can a Person with Dementia Safely Make Decisions?
The asking of the questions is a process; we are providing an opportunity to really find out what the other person is thinking. On one hand, we want to protect our loved ones from financial abuse or unsafe conditions. On the other hand, we want to respect their autonomy….their ability to make their own decisions.
Meet the Dementias: Start Here
Many people confuse dementia with Alzheimer’s Disease. A person with Alzheimer’s has dementia. A person with dementia does not always have Alzheimer’s Disease.