Some of the most common phrases in dementia care, like don't you remember and calm down, often seem to be some of the most unhelpful. Greg and Teepa unpack why these phrases often spark arguments and suggest replacing them with a simple, repeatable pattern: reflect back what the person said, offer information, then gently initiate a change of direction so the conversation doesn't loop.

Learn more at teepasnow.com.

A care partner asked about her mother who is still living on her own, but her personal and home hygiene have started to slip, and she wasn't sure how to bring it up without causing a reaction. Teepa models how to open the conversation gently by starting with the environment rather than the person, and she encourages using a detective's curiosity rather than confrontation to avoid triggering resistance. She also discusses the bigger picture: changes in hygiene is often the tip of the iceberg — a signal that the level of support the person needs isn't yet in place. Learn more at teepasnow.com.

When an article promises so-called tricks to get a person living with dementia to eat, bathe, or go to bed, Greg and Teepa stop to question both the word and the mindset behind it. They explain why these suggestions often assume that the individual can't tell what's happening (they often can) and how this tactic can erodes trust. They then walk through connection-based strategies that start with curiosity instead: acknowledging what the person is reacting to, seeking information, and being willing to change your own approach when the brain change makes the old one stop working.Learn more at teepasnow.com.

Exercise grows new brain cells. This drink lowers your Alzheimer's risk by 32 percent. This food shrinks your brain. If you have ever tumbled down an internet rabbit hole of dementia headlines, this episode is for you.

Greg reads Teepa a stack of real headlines pulled from just the first six months of the year, and together they sort out what deserves your attention and what is simply not true. Teepa explains how brain change is multifactorial and cannot be magically cured by one magic food, drink, or habit; the truth about research on so-called quick fixes, and why chasing sensational claims often leaves care partners feeling more frightened and more blamed than before.

Every brain change journey is different. There's no if-A-then-B here — but there are skills, and they can be learned.

Need support with a specific situation? Positive Approach to Care® offers a complimentary 30-minute consultation that can help you start to see the bigger picture and build on what's already working.

Some headlines stop you cold. Care partners have a 63% higher mortality rate than people the same age who aren't supporting someone. In this episode, Greg and Teepa look past this statistic and ask a better question: who exactly is dying early? Teepa's answer, drawn from forty-five years of experience, is that the risk isn't in supporting another individual — it's in doing it alone, without knowledge, without skill building, and without anyone to call. You'll hear why nobody can take care of them like I do is a warning sign rather than a badge of honor, what happens to the person living with dementia when the lone care partner goes down first, and why learning to pause and breathe is truly essential for survival.

If you're carrying this alone, you don't have to. The Care Partner Support Series from Positive Approach to Care® is a place to bring your real questions, build practical skills, and connect with people who understand the road you're on. No judgment, no overwhelm, just support and a next step. Explore more about the Care Partner Support Series (link).

Heat waves can be dangerous for people living with dementia, and the reason is not what most care partners assume. In this episode, Teepa and Greg explain why the sense of thirst fades with age and brain change, why a wet mouth can convince the brain it has had enough, and why a person who is genuinely dehydrated may tell you with total confidence that they already drank. You will also hear why cold water is often the wrong offer and what to try instead, and how pushing fluids can turn you into the threat.

If this episode has you thinking about someone you support and wondering how to keep them safe without taking over, Teepa's Living at Home with Mid- to Later-Stage Dementia video walks through finding the balance between helping and encouraging independence and offering personal care that builds trust. It is approximately ninety minutes of practical techniques you can put to use right away.

A Dutch care community started placing life-size stickers of residents' own front doors on their room entrances. It's a lovely idea. So why doesn't it always land?

In this episode, Teepa Snow and host Greg Phelps discuss why a person living with dementia may not be looking for their most recent home at all. They might be looking for their mother's house. Or the home they had when they were first married.

What you'll hear:

• Why environmental cues work for some people and distress others

• How to explore a familiar object without correcting someone

• Why packing up and wanting to go home is so common

• What to try when a single change isn't enough

Explore more about the concept of home as Teepa shows you how to shape a space so it supports abilities, encourages independence, and lowers stress for all. Check out Designing a Supportive Dementia Care Environment for more information.

If you have been following Teepa for any amount of time, you're familiar with how much she incorporates music and rhythm when supporting people living with dementia. This episode, Teepa and Greg discuss the reasons why music and rhythm is so effective at getting folks up and moving. You don't have to be a music therapist to incorporate these strategies!

Want to go deeper?

You don't need to stop there. Positive Approach to Care® (PAC™) offers learning experiences that help care partners at every level put Teepa's approach into everyday practice.

🔹 Start with the basics: Accepting the Challenge introduces you to Teepa's foundational approach to dementia care — including the role that connection, movement, and rhythm play in supporting people living with brain change.

→ Streaming version: Link

→ Course version: Link

🔹 Go hands-on: Champion Courses build the practical skills to put what you've learned — including techniques like music and rhythmic engagement — into confident, consistent action.

→ Link

🔹 Connect regularly: The Care Partner Support Series is a space to keep learning, keep practicing, and stay connected with a community who truly understands.

→ Link

According to one recent study, there are two specific over-the-counter medications that can cause a 44% increase in the risk for developing dementia. Does this mean I have to throw out everything I have in my medicine cabinet? Join us this week as Teepa discusses why medications and dementia are a tricky correlation, and why medical providers' familiarity with the Beers List can be very helpful.

Want to go deeper?

The more you understand about brain change and the factors that affect it, the better equipped you are to ask the right questions — and to support the people around you. Positive Approach to Care® (PAC™) offers learning experiences for care partners and professionals alike.

🔹 For families and care partners: Champion Courses give you a deeper understanding of how the brain changes in dementia — and what that means for everyday decisions, including conversations with medical providers.

→ Link

🔹 For healthcare professionals and educators: The Dementia Educator Certification (Tier 2) is designed for those who want to go beyond personal care knowledge and equip others with evidence-informed approaches to dementia.

→ Link

🔹 Not sure where to start? Accepting the Challenge is an accessible introduction to Teepa's approach — a strong first step before diving into the clinical side of things.

→ Streaming version: Link

→ Course version: Link

This week, Teepa addresses two questions that were submitted by our listeners. The first question relates to getting curious if we notice a sudden change in a person living with dementia. The second question was related to alcohol consumption and if there is a connection to an increased risk of developing dementia. If you have asked yourself either of these questions recently, you'll be interested in learning Teepa's insights.Want to go deeper?Questions like these deserve more than a quick answer. If you're finding yourself curious — and wanting to learn more — Positive Approach to Care® (PAC™) has resources that can help you keep building your knowledge and confidence.🔹 Start exploring: Accepting the Challenge is a great first step if you're new to Teepa's approach and want a solid foundation to build from.→ Streaming version: Link→ Course version: Link🔹 Keep the questions coming: The Care Partner Support Series is a recurring opportunity to bring your real questions directly to Teepa and learn alongside a community of care partners.→ Link