We aren't big fans of "sensory" items/boxes/walls in dementia care. Even though the intention behind these programming items is great, they are often difficult to introduce and residents aren't sure how to interact with them. Listen to find out what we suggest to replace these types of activities!

These are activities that Rachael Wonderlin, founder and CEO of Dementia By Day, recommends for anyone living with dementia, but they are particularly well-suited to people with low vision. Rachael encourages you to get creative engaging your other senses and offers a couple of concrete ideas to get you started in this niche of activities.

This is what you’re going to do when you’re deciding to make— or not make— a change to your loved one’s care. Should you make this change, especially if it's drastic? The answer is ultimately, “It depends.”  It depends on the person and how much their quality of life would improve (benefit) for the inconvenience, or even trauma, it would cause (cost). Let’s weigh the cost against the benefits in a specific example and talk about how there’s no “right” answer. Ultimately, you can only the best you can do for your loved one, and writing out the cost and benefits in two columns can help you figure out how to move forward with the right decision for your loved one.

Even if you move your loved one to a dementia care community, you are still their caregiver, the person who is responsible for them. Though the responsibilities may shift, the "buck stops with you," as the expression goes. Let's talk about it.

What is a "sitter" and does your loved one living with dementia need one? Let's talk about it.

In this episode, Rachael breaks down considerations you should make when weighing whether or not to hire a sitter for your loved one living with dementia. She discusses options that are worth trying first before resorting to hiring a sitter, and cases in which a sitter is likely the best next step for your loved one.

In this bite-sized episode, Rachael also discusses what to do if your loved one lives in an assisted living community and the community suggests a sitter.

Let's dive in!

After 45 happy years together, Janice noticed that her life partner Sue had begun to repeat herself. "What do you want for dinner?" she'd ask. Then, a few minutes later, she'd say again, "What do you want for dinner?" As it turns out, Sue has Alzheimer's. Janice and Sue were recently featured in Matter of Mind, a PBS documentary that follows three pairs of caregivers and their loved ones living with Alzheimer's.

From diagnosis to getting help while caring for Susan at home, listen in on our conversation with Janice as she tells us all about her journey as a caregiver.

Stream the documentary, Matter of Mind, here: https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/matter-of-mind-my-alzheimers/

Whether you live with your loved one with dementia or you visit them in a care community, your time together will probably be most enjoyable if you bring an activity with you for the two of you to do together. This is a great way for you to connect with your loved one! I suggest simple, everyday activities like folding, sorting, or games like finishing lyrics (filling in the blank to famous songs they know). 

"They seem fine!" This is the refrain of the folks we at Dementia By Day refer to as the "out-of-towners."

The out-of-towners think they know best and they are very vocal about the care they believe your loved one should receive, but in reality, they are out of touch with what it's like caring for someone living with dementia. 

If you have out-of-towners in your life, we hope you find this tip helpful for how to handle your next conversation with them, and we hope you find comfort in knowing you are not alone in dealing with these kinds of situations as a caregiver.

People often ask me how to break the news to their loved one living with dementia that they will be moving to a dementia care community. We NEVER want to say something like, "Mom, we are moving you to dementia care because there is something wrong with your brain," and we especially don't want to add, "remember?!" when they ask about what's going on for the second (or tenth) time. 

People living with dementia can't make this decision for themselves and they are usually not aware of their condition (anosognosia), so telling them something like the above is not going to go well. Instead of starting an argument that is sure to upset all sides, try my 3-prong approach to get your loved one to move to dementia care calmly.

My #1 piece of advice when it comes to hospice: Look into it before you think it's time. Don't wait too long, because it's an invaluable resource for people living with dementia and their families. 

Listen to learn how someone living with dementia might qualify for hospice.