We’re talking about forgetting what’s lost and focusing on what is left. Most caregivers have likely heard the term person-centered care; however, how many of us truly understand what that means? It likely means different things for different people and that’s understandable.  The best definition I have found is this: Person-Centered Dementia Care is a way of providing care focused on knowing the UNIQUE person through respectful close relationships that foster normalcy, choice, purpose, belonging, security and strengths.

Family caregivers have more knowledge of their loved ones as compared to paid caregivers, but as they lose abilities, we may feel that we don’t know our person at all. For example, I had been told to simplify the hobbies or activities Mom loved but that never worked. My attempts to do just that actually caused more stress and frustration. Understanding how to care by forgetting what’s lost and focusing on what’s left would have helped both of us tremendously.

After hearing this episode with two caregiving trainers, you’re likely to have a better grasp on how focusing on what’s left is an easier way to provide care.

Dementia Needs Ae Human Needs with Donna Marentey

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Make Your Brain Span Match Your Lifespan with Relevaate

Dominick Domasky is just a guy trying to find success. That’s what it says on his website Motivation Champs. Despite being successful in publishing books, giving speeches, and working with non-profit organizations to share their message, Dominick struggled to talk about Alzheimer’s. Writing allowed Dom to pour out his emotions and tell the story of his Mom. My Name is Sharon is her story not just the telling of her disease.

This is not the first episode devoted to the topic of sharing our stories. My Name is Sharon – A Love Story, is exactly that. A love story dedicated to sharing the wonderful life Sharon had as a Mom. It’s also a story about Dominicks’ life with his Mom. This is a heartwarming conversation that shows us just how important it is to share the lives of our loved ones, not just the difficult part.

For caregivers who struggle with their past relationship with who they are caring for, maybe this conversation will give you a bit of inspiration to look for the good times in the past. At the very least, it truly is a love story we all can enjoy.

TRANSCRIPT

Helene Bergers Episode – Choosing Joy

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The long goodbye, it’s something that all of us have dealt with. Some of you are probably still working your way through this goodbye. Today’s guest is Bret Sweet. He’s a musician turned caregiver who used writing music to help him through his grieving process even as his father was still alive.

Bret decided to use a hip-hop album to help caregivers draw energy from and gain a sense of connection with other caregivers. His Dad was all about breaking down doors, standing up to bullies, and Bret’s album helps continue that story. Bret also wanted to add a little hope for those of us listening.

Enjoy this video from Fog On The Bridge (yes, that’s the Golden Gate Bridge, from my area of the world).

A Musical, Emotional Memoir on Caregiving (Caregiver Carols)

Stress & Anxiety Relief through Music Therapy

Sign up for free & get $25. (It might help with your Long Goodbye)

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Make Your Brain Span Match Your Lifespan with Relevaate

Participating in art can provide older adults with multiple benefits and enhanced cognitive function. One of the challenges caregivers face is handling frustration when confusion is common. When our loved ones lose control because their memory is failing, they frequently lash out. 

Plus, it can be a lot of fun. It’s worth a try. My Mom was a very creative person, but she feared “getting it wrong” whenever I attempted to do an art project with her. I’ve seen some other methods that I would have liked to have tried with her, but since I can’t, I’m sharing this passionate young woman’s story with you.

Marie-Louise is my guest today, and how she became passionate about using art to connect with older adults will delight you and maybe, give you the confidence to give art therapy a try with your loved one. The passion and insight that Marie-Louise shares will make you feel great. She has tons of advice, ideas and heart-warming stories!

TRANSCRIPT

Art Therapy for Older Adults

Connecting through Art

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Make Your Brain Span Match Your Lifespan with Relevaate

We’re talking today about how to be your own best caregiver. Living with chronic illnesses, dealing with a lifetime of accumulations, worrying about money; it seems we prepare for everything in life except how to handle the challenges of its later years.

About 22% of older adults in the United States can be considered elder orphans or solo agers.  More are at risk of becoming one. The first group—elder orphans—are older people who don’t have a spouse or children they can depend upon. while solo agers are older adults who are living alone and don’t have children. In either case, this is a population of older people who don’t have a safety net if they need support, whether that’s physical, emotional, or practical.

In my conversation with author Joy Loverde, we discuss how we can plan for our older age with confidence. Her book, Who Will Care For Me When I’m Old is also a workbook to help us navigate this planning.

Learn more about Joy

TRANSCRIPT

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Do dementia interpreters exist? I could have used some interpretation when Mom was alive. Mom spoke in actual English words and complete sentences, but there was no context to help me understand what she was trying to tell me. It took me too long to realize that my attempts to “decipher” her conversations made her angry. Eventually, I understood it was better for both of us if I went along as if I understood.

I talk to Malora Jackson of Secondwind Dreams about their Dementia Interpreters program in this episode. A Dementia Interpreter helps translate our loved ones’ actions, noises, behaviors, and body language into an understandable and recognized language. Certainly, this is an excellent skill for all of us to learn.

Another helpful tool that Malora informed me about is the Dementia Dictionary. https://www.dementiadictionary.com You will learn a lot about communicating with someone living with dementia when you tune in to this episode.

Secondwind Dreams website

Dementia Dictionary

TRANSCRIPT

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AfterCloud is for capturing life’s moments. It’s an online memory vault. It’s your private place to securely store memories, thoughts, wishes and important or meaningful information that you can share with your loved ones. YOUR life story in an app!

With Aftercloud, you are able to record your voice, write or dictate  letters, upload images, create links and record in-app video and share as a moment or to include on your Timeline. 

It’s a way of enhancing or recording a picture or image with your thoughts and with your life story.

As well as capturing life’s moments, imagine this was your last day on earth, what would you want to say, what thoughts or information would you want to leave behind or what would you like to celebrate in a future without you?

What will your Timeline say about you?

Learn more about AfterCloud

Related Episode:

Storing & Sharing Memories with EchoBox

TRANSCRIPT

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If you aren’t familiar with a Virtual Dementia Tour you may think it’s an online resource.  Not quite. We’re all much more familiar with virtual worlds thanks to the pandemic, but Virtual Dementia tours pre-date these times. A Virtual Dementia Tour put us, the caregiver, into the world of someone living with a form of dementia.

I had the opportunity to participate in a dementia tour back in 2019 and it was definitely a learning opportunity.  I don’t know how many of the challenges I experienced my Mom had but that didn’t matter. Having as close to a first hand experience into her world was transformative.

Virtual Dementia tours is our topic on today’s episode and I know you’re going to learn a lot. Also, be sure to be subscribed to the podcast for our second episode from Second Wind Dreams when we talk about Dementia interpreters.

Learn more/schedule a dementia tour

Transcript 

Related episodes:

Teepa Snow & The GMES Model

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While it’s not well known, there are neuroprotective qualities in THC. I was a teenager during the “just say no to drugs” era.  Having internalized that message means it’s hard for me to fully embrace this idea. Using natural remedies has always been my preferred method of care. However, it’s still hard for me to accept that marijuana is natural.

That doesn’t stop me from reading the latest research and listening to those who live the lifestyle. They’ve studied it, done the testing, and all the things necessary to incorporate weed into a brain-healthy lifestyle.

This is why I am excited to bring you an expert on the subject. Jo Nuding is a podcaster and responsible cannabis lifestyle coach. Once you hear her story you will have an entirely different outlook on cannabis’ healthy compounds. You may even say “yes, to the neuro-protective qualities of THC.”

Casually Baked website

Epigenetic Coach

Here are some of the other shows we discussed things from:

https://casuallybaked.com/blog/potcast-205-surviving-the-american-healthcare-system

https://casuallybaked.com/blog/potcast-182-cannabis-nurses-network

Casually Baked Potcast

The Knox Docs are a family of physicians with backgrounds in Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia, Family Medicine, Integrative Medicine, and Preventive Medicine. They have expanded their expertise to include Integrative Cannabinology, Functional Endocannabinology™ and Cannabinoid Medicine, and are internationally recognized as thought leaders in the care of the endocannabinoid system and cannabis therapeutics.

Together, the Knox family founded The American Cannabinoid Clinics. The AC Clinics have licensed physicians in 19 states. They see patients both on-site wherever available and online everywhere else. They have office locations throughout Oregon and Washington state. Through the online portal, AC Clinics see patients worldwide.

The Canna DNA test is essential information for anyone considering how THC or CBD might impact their health. This precision genetic endocannabinoid test is powered by Apeiron Genomics. You’ll receive a personalized report with recommendations tailored to your DNA and a one-on-one data review session with my epigenetic coach, David Krantz.

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please share this podcast with other caregivers!  Choose your favorite platform and follow us for more advice, motivation, recipes, and cute dog photos.

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Welcome to A Perfectly Imperfect Journey with Sue Ryan

Are you caregiving and feeling exhausted, mentally, physically, or emotionally? How about “all of the above?” Do you feel like you should be doing more and aren't sure what “more” looks like? Are you overwhelmed and not sure what to expect next?

Congratulations! You're on a perfectly imperfect journey. In this episode, I chat with best-selling author, Sue Ryan, who is caring for her husband. Like most of us, she didn't know anything about Alzheimer's or how to be a caregiver. Sue constantly felt overwhelmed and as if she were missing something. She was exhausted mentally, physically, and emotionally (sound familiar?). She was only surviving. She didn't like this disease, what it was doing to her husband and those around them.

She didn't like how she felt, so she began to learn. That lead her to write Our Journey of Love – 5 Steps to Navigate Your Caregiving Journey. For more than 30 years, Sue has been in various caregiving roles. Still in the role of primary caregiver, instead of feeling helpless and overwhelmed, Sue now feels balanced, filled with hope and love.

Dementia Needs are Human Needs

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 PicnicHealth (Our Sponsor)

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