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You Are Changing
What Should I Do to Support
Y
ou
Where You Are?
by Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA
When we are trying to help someone live in the earlier parts of dementia, it is vital that we are able to respond to distressing moments in a way that meets the person's expectations and abilities. That means we have to be accurate in what GEMs state we think or feel we are noticing. So, what are some of the key differences between living in a Diamond state compared to an Emerald state when it comes to being distressed? Last year I did GEMs state webinars on distress and pleasure. They are part of our growing library of resources to help PAC Supporters make a positive difference in people's lives by using what you learn to change what you see, do, and say! Take a few minutes and see how well you are able to pick up on where the person is with their abilities and what you could do that might be more helpful to them.
8 Video Resources accompany this article.
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Have you heard about Teepa's new
Knowledge Intensives?
These courses take things to a whole new level. Teepa digs deeper into important topics and guides the learner to develop and practice their Positive Approach® techniques to assist in solving every day issues. Teepa and her team of Positive Approach to Care (PAC) mentors will be visiting select cities in 2018, including Atlanta in March and the Detroit area in May.
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The Ups and Downs of Vascular Dementia
by Melanie Bunn RN MS,
PAC Certified Independent Consultant
Mr. Thomas Phillip's family was concerned about the 72 year-old retired teacher. They first noticed changes at the monthly family dinner. The usually well-groomed man appeared disheveled and unkempt. He needed to shave and had an unpleasant, musky odor. He was quiet, withdrawn, and even more, he didn't seem interested in his grandchildren, typically the bright point of his month. When the kids tried to engage him by asking riddles and offering cards for magic tricks, he looked away and seemed disinterested. His home was less tidy than usual. His daughter, an RN, became concerned and checked his blood pressure and blood glucoses to see if his diabetes or high blood pressure were out of control, but they were his usual high side of normal. During the meal, he snapped at the grandchildren, a few minutes later let out a sob and said he missed his wife of 40 years terribly and things just hadn't been the same since her death 10 years ago. Tom Jr. tried to distract him, asking about a phone call Mr. Phillip had made earlier in the week mentioning a car problem. Mr. Phillip was unable to recall his concern, but when Tom Jr. listed several possibilities, he remembered squealing brakes. The next day, Mr. Phillip seemed almost back to usual but the following day he was disinterested again. Mr. Phillip's daughter took him to see his physician and after a review of symptoms, physical exam, lab studies, neuropsychological testing, and CT of his brain, he was diagnosed with vascular dementia.
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What are the new challenges you currently face in care situations?
Upcoming Courses
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April 5 - 6, 2018
(Los Angeles Area)
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June 21 - 22 , 2018
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Watch as Teepa demonstrates one of the skills you'll learn at the PAC Consultant course - using the Six Pieces of the Puzzle to problem solve and develop new paths of care.
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Putting a Face to the Statistics
Legislative Effort Designed to Assist Caregivers in Tennessee
by Mary Anne Oglesby,
PAC Certified Independent Consultant
During the last few months, I have truly come to a greater understanding of how the Positive Approach® to Care and the Six Pieces of the Puzzle can help us in our daily lives. I have been taught how powerful the amygdala truly is. Most of all, I have learned how important are the relationships we as PAC Consultants/Coaches/Trainers have with each other. I've discovered how our PAC Mentors come through for us in the most difficult times.
As a little girl from Hope, Arkansas, I was taught I could be anything I wanted. Hard work would prevail. There have been times during the last few months that the little voice in my head one day would say "Give up" and then cheer "Go for it!" the next day. Doubt would creep in and whisper "Do you really think you can change how a state looks at respite care?" All I knew was I had to try.
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New T-shirts in Stock!
For only $20, a PAC t-shirt also makes a great gift! Shop early for Easter, Mother's Day, or Father's Day! Choose from turquoise, indigo, or NEW military green. You'll love them so much you'll want one in every color!
Buy in bulk and save! Discounts available for purchases of more than 20 identical items.
Contact us for more information.
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Connecting Music to the GEMS™ Model of Brain Change
by Mary Sue Wilkinson,
Founder - Singing Heart to Heart
Emeralds: Green and On the Go with a Purpose; Naturally Flawed
Language becomes more difficult for Emerald who often fear being perceived as incompetent. Singing familiar songs is a great way for them to feel competent and successful. Dancing and marching help their need to be "on the go." Because of the balance shifts required, dancing might help Emeralds maintain equilibrium and reduce the risk of falling. A special song or piece of music may help remind them of transitions and personal care needed. Emeralds are still good at filling in the blank when given a song line or an expression, such as "shave and a haircut-two bits."
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Love: The Great Connector
by Reverend Linn Possell,
PAC Lead Mentor Coach
This month I would like to share a poem by
Maya Angelou which talks about the power of love. Love is the greatest power that exists. It is the power that calls all being into life, and sustains us, nurtures us, and connects us to one another. Love, being the power to embrace that which is, the openness to the other.
Touched by an Angel
We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.
Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient history of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.
We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of loves' light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.
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Save the Dates!
New Webinars in 2018!
Like us on Facebook and Ask Teepa Anything on our free monthly live broadcast!
March 21, 2018
April 18, 2018
May 16, 2018
June 13, 2018
July 25, 2018
September 12, 2018
October 17, 2018
December 5, 2018
All broadcasts will air from 7:00p - 8:30p ET
Watch for more details in the April Edition of the Online Dementia Journal!
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Vascular Dementia
A Case History
by Louis Levenson, JD
As a lawyer who works in the area of mental health and legal incapacity, I thought I really understood the distinctions between Alzheimers dementia and the other types. And then I had a major dose of the difficulties the legal community and the medical community have in understanding and differentiating these issues.
As a preliminary observation, I have had clients who have been diagnosed with cancer and also have had clients whose family members have a diagnosis with Alzheimers dementia. Most say that they would rather have cancer because Alzheimers is progressive and terminal and without a cure and that cancer has a cure in many cases.
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Care Partner Support Series
(every Wednesday for 5 weeks -
No meeting on May 2nd)
7:00 - 8:30 pm EST
Register now for just $50.00
(includes all 5 sessions as well as materials
to download and print)
The
Care Partner Support Series - Five Sessions to Change
connects caregivers of a person living with dementia to other caregivers around the world. It provides you with a forum where you can talk openly and freely about your challenges. As well, it will help you gain awareness and knowledge of care strategies to help improve interactions with your loved one.
Don't delay!
Limited to 12 participants.
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Click Here to access the
Online Dementia Journal archives!
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This session focuses on enhancing interaction skills and appreciating the changes that the PLWD is experiencing that effect some many aspects of life. Recognizing the signs of Diamond distress and offering the right responses and support can make the difference between a successful interaction and one that blows up or fizzles out. We will explore impact of awareness and personality as we address common challenges.
This session focuses on the resources and skills needed to provide Diamonds with a sense of pleasure and satisfaction in their lives. We will use ME SHEETS to help determine opportunities to explore while integrating the changing abilities and probable changes into the mix.
Emeralds are changing and it is noticeable. This session with highlight common risky situations and how to minimize mistakes and optimize opportunities for everyone getting some of what they want and need to feel OK.
Finding ways to use the past abilities and interests can become more challenging as skill and focus shifts. This session will help work on simplifying without babifying. Using real pieces of life in shorter bits will be a critical piece for success.
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Upcoming Events
March 20,2018
Santa Rosa, CA
March 22, 2018
Atlanta, GA
March 23, 2018
Intensive: Workshop 2
Atlanta, GA
March 29, 2018
Hayes, KS
April 3, 2018
Carmichael, CA
April 4, 2018
Yakima, WA
April 5, 2018
April 11, 2018
Montreal, QC
April 16, 2018
Brampton, ON
April 18, 2018
Schaumburg, IL
April 19, 2018
Detroit, MI
April 20, 2018
Rocky Mount, NC
April 25, 2018
Huntsville, AL
April 30, 2018
Topeka, KS
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Living Life with Lisa
Vlogging about life, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Living life with a chronic illness has its difficulties, but always live life to the fullest. Diagnosed with two copies of the c677t mutation (MTHFR) and also Early Onset Dementia, I bring you along on my journey, please join along.
Click here to view Lisa's
Youtube Channel!
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Now Accepting Submissions
Do you have a story to share?
Your stories help us learn and grow. We cannot do what we do without you!
This is an open invitation to all people living with dementia, care partners, and professionals.
Contact us
today if you would like to submit an article or video for the
Online Dementia Journal.
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Book your event today for staff training, family nights, professional referral source events, or refresher workshops
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Would you like your staff to be able to learn from Teepa Snow, 24/7?
is now offering Teepa Snow programs on its Group Training Website!
Each of your staff members can get their own online video account, with videos selected by you!
Be their "Online Group Leader" and monitor their activity, course completion, and quiz results* (where applicable).
Click below to learn more!
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Be Brave Enough To Start A Conversation That Matters
CLICK HERE
To Learn More
About
Caring Conversations
and the
Caring Conversations
Tool Kit
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PAC Training increases awareness, knowledge, and confidence among care staff and educates resident families.
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Becoming Dementia Aware
Would you like to learn how to begin changing your approach and interactions to better serve those living with dementia?
Learn from the comfort of your own home! Sign up today to experience Becoming Dementia Aware. In this three hour online course, Teepa takes you through the areas of the brain affected by dementia and introduces skills and strategies for better ways to care.
The course is broken down into nine sections and includes the following topics: Diving Deeper into Dementia, Better Ways to Care, Seeing and Responding to the Changes, Greet Before You Treat, Positive Physical Approach (PPA), Skills In Depth, After PPA, Caring for All, and Content Review
Whether you're a professional or family care partner, this content will help you begin to change your approach with people living with dementia.
Enrollment Fee: $100
After completing the course, you have the option of signing up for remote/virtual coaching with a PAC Mentor to help reinforce the newly learned content and practice Positive Physical Approach™ and Hand-under-Hand®.
Mentoring Fee: $65/hour
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Teepa Snow,
Today's Voice for Dementia
Teepa is an advocate for those living with dementia and has made it her personal mission to help families and professionals better understand how it feels to be living with dementia related challenges and change. Her company, Positive Approach, LLC was founded in 2005 and offers education to family and professional care partners all over the world. Her goal? Making a difference...one mind at a time.
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