Everyday Dementia Guide

I realize that saying facts are not your friend is a bold claim, but hear me out. For most adults, knowing the truth and understanding the facts of a situation are really important as we navigate the world. If someone misunderstands us, we're quick to correct the facts or check the information source. When dementia is a part of your life however, facts may no longer be helpful. In fact, many times...

Wouldn't it be nice to have a good old-fashioned game night? So many things change or become harder when you're supporting someone living with dementia. Today we're going through ten games that are still fun at many stages in the disease. We'll talk about modifications that you can consider and what features make the game fun.   Curated Games List* This list of games has been especially curated to...

Today we're bringing in the help you didn't know existed, but that might be just what you're looking for. The world of dementia has its own vocabulary, and it's support and treatment are spread all over the place. So it can be really hard to know what to ask for or what to look for. Today we're revealing 5 of the most helpful professionals that you can have when you're living with or supporting so...

Today we're bringing in the help you didn't know existed, but that might be just what you're looking for. The world of dementia has its own vocabulary, and it's support and treatment are spread all over the place. So it can be really hard to know what to ask for or what to look for. Today we're revealing 5 of the most helpful professionals that you can have when you're living with or supporting so...

This month we're talking about how to best work through dementia-related behaviors and minimize their impacts. This week we're tackling wandering and getting lost. This is one of the biggest fears of loved ones of those living with dementia and the good news is that there are plenty of resources and solutions to support you if this is a challenge you're dealing with.   Resources: Get our tips for...

This month we're talking about how to best work through dementia-related behaviors and minimize their impacts. This week we're diving into delusions and accusations. When reason and facts are not your friends, responding to accusations can be challenging! So we're talking about how to de-escalate the situation, how to prevent these behaviors in the future and how to take care of yourself.  Resourc...

This month we're talking about how to best work through dementia-related behaviors and minimize their impacts. This week we're tackling hitting and other physical aggression. These things can come up at inconvenient times or be way more intense than they were before the disease and we're talking about how to de-escalate the situation, how to prevent these behaviors in the future and how to take ca...

With dementia often comes behaviors that can be difficult both for the care partner and the person living with the disease. This month we're talking about how to best work through those behaviors and minimize their impacts. This week we're tackling distress and agitation. These things can come up at inconvenient times or be way more intense than they were before the disease and we're talking about...

This week we're asigning blame where it belongs. Just so it's very clear to our care partners (and their loved ones) who and what is to blame when things go sideways. This is a quick affirmation episode, but you might want to bookmark it so you can come back and listen again the next time things go awry.  Resources:  Choose from 4 phone backgrounds to keep this message top of mind: Get an email wi...

We're continuing the series here on Everyday Dementia Guide about what's normal and expected when living with dementia versus what's a problem. Sometimes it can be hard to recognize and label what behavior you are seeing until someone points it out to you. When my family was supporting my dad, we didn't know what we were supposed to expect and what was coming next, and what we should try to avoid,...

We're continuing the series here on Everyday Dementia Guide about what's normal and expected when living with dementia versus what's a problem. Sometimes it can be hard to recognize and label what behavior you are seeing until someone points it out to you. When my family was supporting my dad, we didn't know what we were supposed to expect and what was coming next, and what we should try to avoid,...

This mini-episode is my experience with NOT talking about dementia with my loved one. I'm sharing this in the hope that I helps you if your loved one is living with Alzheimer's or dementia and doesn't want to talk about it! I share: How did I know he didn't want to talk about it? What did I do instead? How did I channel my energy and desire to help?   Want to talk about your experience with a deme...

We're continuing the series here on Everyday Dementia Guide about what's normal and expected when living with dementia versus what's a problem. Even if this isn't your first time supporting someone living with dementia, it can be hard to know what's a normal part of the disease and what's not. When my family was supporting my dad, we didn't know what we were supposed to expect and what was coming...

This month we're doing a series here on Everyday Dementia Guide about what's normal and expected when living with dementia versus what's a problem. I know that when we were walking this journey, we didn't know what we were supposed to expect and what was coming next, and what we should try to avoid, and neither did the professionals we consulted. So, we're going to go through some of the things yo...

In this episode we're discussing a topic that strikes fear in the hearts of both those living with dementia and their loved ones, driving. Or rather, what to do if or when driving with dementia becomes unsafe. Ultimately this isn't the end of freedom or enriching activities, but it can be a big change for people who have been used to driving. We'll talk you through the considerations and strategie...

Today we're talking about a sundowning, which might be the reason that you're finding yourself dreading the end of the day. This is a very common phenomenon when supporting someone living with dementia and there are ways to recognize it and things that you can do to prevent it, but first you have to know what you're looking for.    In this episode: What is sundowning? How to prevent it? How to sup...

During this Alzheimer's and brain awareness month, we're talking about how the changes in the brain during dementia affect the five senses. It's helpful to remember that as dementia progresses, memory is only one of the things that will be impacted. We'll talk about how you can make sense of what you're seeing and hearing about senses from your loved one, and how to best support them when these th...

It's June, which is Alzheimer's and brain awareness month, and we're talking about friends. One of the best things you can do for your brain is to engage socially. But what if you're living with cognitive impairment, either yourself or a loved one? You might be feeling alone, especially if some of your relationships are changing. There may be some hard realities in store, but this does not mean th...

Have you been feeling stuck at home? If you're in a rut and haven't been getting out, this can be really frustrating and isolating. As the disease progresses, it becomes harder to get out and about. In this episode we're talking about how to get past the objections and excuses, how to set yourself up for success to get up and going out of the house. In this episode: How can I get past common obsta...

This month we're diving into tips for navigating challenging conversations that come up when you're supporting a loved one living with dementia. This week we're discussing those repeating questions. You know the ones that are asked over and over and over. We'll talk about what you can do and what you can say to get through it! In this episode: The cardinal rules of conversations with someone livin...

This month we're diving into tips for navigating challenging conversations that come up when you're supporting a loved one living with dementia. This week we're discussing SUCH a hard conversation. When your loved one says, "I hate you." This is so hard to hear and we'll cover 3 approaches that can help get you through it. In this episode: The cardinal rules of conversations with someone living wi...

This month we're diving into tips for navigating challenging conversations that come up when you're supporting a loved one living with dementia. This week we're tackling one of the most dreaded points in this disease. When your loved one doesn't recognize you and asks, "Who are you?" This is a tough one and we'll cover 2 approaches that set you up for success, and one that doesn't. In this episode...

This month we're diving into tips for navigating challenging conversations that come up when you're supporting a loved one living with dementia. This episode is all about when you hear, "I gotta get outta here!" We'll talk about 4 occasions where this comes up and how to join their reality to work toward a successful outcome. In this episode: 2 cardinal rules for communication What to say when som...

If the thought of asking for help from someone has you cringing AND you are a care partner for someone with dementia or Alzheimer's, this one's for you. We've got 5 ideas for you to lighten your load plus a bunch of helpful downloads! Resources:  Realistic Caregiver To Do List Template Set up a Caring Village site to help with community caregiving Sign up to get or give help in your neighborhood w...

Denial is very common in discussions about dementia or cognitive impairment. Today we're going to look denial right in the eye, and make peace with it. We're going to cover how to know it when it comes up, why it needs to be recognized and accepted, and how to get through it. Today's episode covers: What does denial look and sound like? Why is it important? How to work with it? What not to do! Res...