Questions from Readers: Can a Facility Refuse to Accept my Loved One and Other Issues
Can a facility refuse to take my family member with dementia? How do I remove soiled clothing from someone who refuses? Read answers here.
Valentine Post for Dementia Caregivers: 2022
Valentine’s Day is traditionally about romance. It celebrates the fun side of love. For many carers and care partners of persons living with dementia, love is demonstrated daily through multiple acts of kindness and dignity. Here is my Valentine’s message to these heroes. Send a care partner that you know something special this Valentine’s Day.
Ten Strategies for Managing Care Refusals in the Moment
Ten strategies for managing care refusals: entering their reality, bridging, distraction, hand-over-hand, mirror-mirror, vibes, ask for help, apologize with praise, rewards, and rescue.
What to Do When People with Dementia Refuse Help and Care (Part 2 of Care Refusals)
In last week’s blog, I explained why people living with dementia refuse care. In this week’s blog, I explain what to do about it. Read on for strategies that you can use immediately to prevent care-refusal behavior and strategies to help you manage care-refusal behavior as soon as it happens.
The Power of Procedural Memory: What Tony Bennett, Salmon Patties, and Fridge Worms Have in Common
At the time of this writing, Tony Bennett gave a concert with Lady Gaga. In spite of severe memory loss, Mr. Bennett gave a flawless performance. This is an example of procedural memory. In Mr. Bennett’s case, he had sung his songs thousands of times over decades. His “library of […]
Dealing with Irritability in Persons with Dementia
Learn why people with dementia get irritable and what to do about it.
2021 Crash Course in Dementia-Centric Communication
Dementia-centric communication is the ability to interact with people who have dementia in a respectful and meaningful way. I hear, over and over again, “I don’t know what to say to a person with dementia.” “What if I do something wrong?” Fear not, I am here to help by providing […]
Dementia & Poop: How to Avoid Accidents and Stop Smearing
Warning: This is a graphic topic. Learning and Procedural Memory Today, I received a call from a good friend who was very upset. She is caring for her father and he is smearing his poop all over the bathroom. Towels, walls, any surface within reach. He is leaving the bathroom […]
How Do I Know if Someone With Dementia Should Still Be Driving?
Driving & Dementia Driving involves several types of brain activities. These activities have to work together. A problem in one area can jeopardize the whole process. Driving definitely relies on procedural memory. Procedural memory is the memorization of all of the steps to do something. We create procedural memory by […]
Happy Valentine’s Day 2021
Valentine’s Day is traditionally about romance. It celebrates the fun side of love. For many carers and care partners of persons living with dementia, love is demonstrated daily through multiple acts of kindness and dignity. Here is my Valentine’s message to these heroes. Send a care partner that you know something special this Valentine’s Day.