Dementia caregivers are often seen, but seldom get the recognition they deserve. Inside one of our memory care homes, a resident was waiting. For someone. For something. She didn’t know anymore. But her hands remained folded in her lap, her gaze fixed on the door as if the world might make sense again at any moment. She looked up with a distant gaze. “Do you know where he is?” The caregiver lowered herself until they…
Kindness and care in dementia go a long way. Dementia has a way of testing everyone in its orbit. The person living with it, the family watching it unfold, and the caregivers who show up every day to provide care that goes far beyond routine tasks. It takes an extraordinary kind of strength to meet agitation with patience, to soothe confusion with steady reassurance, and to replace frustration with understanding. Kindness in Dementia Care is…
What are neologisms in dementia? Neologisms are words people make up. These words may not be known or understood by others. In dementia, new words are essential. They show the challenges people with dementia have with thinking and speaking. This article looks at: What are neologisms in dementia What they mean for diagnosis and communication How to manage and support people who use them Understanding Neologisms What is a New Word? A new word is…
Family involvement plays an important role for memory care residents. Would placing your loved one in a memory care home feel like admitting defeat? You’re not alone. That gnawing guilt, the “what ifs” and “if only” circling your mind—we know them all too well. You’re caught in a tug-of-war between what your heart wants and what reality demands. Tough spot, isn’t it? What if we told you that this decision, as heavy as it weighs…
When you are enjoying meals with a loved one with dementia, it’s quality time. The moment becomes an act of love and care, and you learn to embrace spills because they matter less than the joy of a shared dinner or snack. Eating together can spark your loved one’s appetite, too! Keeping them involved in preparing meals also plays a vital role – it maintains skills, piques interest in food, and offers moments for empowerment…
Making memory care residents feel at home is an honor, and you can see it on our caregivers’ faces. This is one of the advantages of smaller settings like those offered in Applewood Our House, at our five locations in Golden, Arvada, and Lakewood, Colorado. Quick Assisted Living and Memory Care Facts: According to a 2020 report from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) – FastStats – Residential Care Communities page: • Approximately…