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Solo Pleasures
by Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA
So how do you like to have fun BY YOURSELF?
What types of activities, places, experiences, sensations, times of day, spaces, and
lengths of time work best for you to really enjoy yourself without anyone else around or involved?
For some of us, these type of activities may be quiet, passive, and simple; while for others they may be incredibly demanding, extremely complicated, or intensely intricate. The one thing they will all have in common, is that when we are doing them just right and we find our flow or get in our zone, they transform us in some way. We are fulfilled and enhanced in a special and remarkable way. Being able to continue to experience such moments of ecstasy or nirvana, provides a person with a potent defense against boredom, disengagement, and purposelessness.
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The Art and Challenge of Learning to be a Care Partner
by Kay Adams, LCSW, PAC Certified Independent Consultant
One of my professional heroes is Brene Brown. She is a researcher, storyteller, and best-selling author. She has written a great deal about vulnerability, connection, and resilience - topics I believe relate well with learning how to be a care partner for someone living with dementia. Brown has been quoted as saying that "vulnerability is basically uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure." Sounds a lot like the journey of caregiving in a nutshell to me!
An important finding in Brown's research is that: "A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all people. We are biologically, cognitively, physically and spiritually wired to love, and to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don't function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart... We get sick." Although Brown was not specifically addressing dementia in her book, I think her words apply beautifully to both the person living with dementia, as well as to the care partner who is frequently trying to provide care with limited skills, knowledge, and support in the process. Love and belonging are important ingredients to both parties, but not always easy to consistently access for either.
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Music, Prayer, and Mr. Bobbie
by Mary Anne Oglesby, Director - The Veranda Ministries, PAC Certified Independent Consultant and Coach
As a little girl in rural Arkansas, my fondest memories are singing in school plays, church, and especially Christmas programs. Music was always, and still is, the core of who I am. Not just from the fact I was one who liked to entertain, but because music brought joy to my heart. That joy still brings a smile to my face when I hear those songs I sang as a child. It takes me back to a place of pure happiness, a place where I can close my eyes and feel a calm come over me, and a peace that passes all understanding. Good memories are stored for my use today.
Music is the highlight of the day in the respite program I direct. It's amazing how music can be a common thread between fifteen to twenty people of diverse backgrounds. They patiently wait their turn for their song to be front and center.
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Tips for How to Help your Loved One Manage Their Money
by Rosanne Burke, PAC Certified Independent Trainer
Do you remember your first job? Do you remember earning your first pay check? Did you promptly deposit it into a bank account or did you buy yourself something special?
Most people can answer those questions without too much hesitation. Going to work is a milestone in life that represents a certain level of competence and maturity. Many people begin to work at a young age and continue to work for the next several decades. If you are lucky, you have a fulfilling career and are compensated fairly for your contributions in the workforce.
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It Started Raining Earlier than Anticipated
by Brenda Roberts, PAC Certified Independent Trainer
Most Americans try to plan for their retirement as well as save for a rainy day. When my husband, Mark, was diagnosed with young-onset dementia it started raining earlier than we had anticipated and our financial forecast drastically changed. Of course, at first we were very scared. We had both planned to work until at least full retirement age, if not longer. This plan came to a screeching halt when Mark received his diagnosis. Our income, during what was supposed to be Mark's prime earning years, was suddenly reduced to 60% of his earnings. In addition, we had to begin paying our full health insurance premium. Changes and adjustments had to be made in our saving and spending. More importantly, changes and adjustments had to be made to our thoughts and attitudes about money. In PAC we often talk about the need to "let it go." We had to let go of our previous plans and dreams for our financial future and face a new reality.
There are two major factors that helped me make a positive attitude adjustment regarding our finances. The first is the realization that we are only guaranteed this very moment in time. Like my husband, I am learning to live in the moment. I strive to balance our finances for living in the moment as well as our future needs.
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A New Way of Being
A Meditation
by Reverend Linn Possell, PAC Lead Mentor Coach
 A person living with dementia expresses themselves differently in the world. However, their souls continue to find expression; they are capable of experiencing peace, and they remain open to joy. When these individuals are treated as if their souls can no longer be expressed and others believe that they have lost their ability to connect, their life begins to fade. Dementia does not rob a person living with dementia of their life, their soul, and their spirit. What robs them is when we fail to give them the grace to find new expression and when we stop looking for new ways to help them connect with life. The essence of life continues to move toward growth and awareness. What is eternal is the spirit and the soul. Therefore, when someone is living with dementia, their spirit and soul continue to be. We can facilitate this growth and awareness when we set aside our preconceived ideas about dementia and give them the grace to find new expression, continue to stay connected and celebrate their...Beautiful Spirit.
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Keeping Pathways Open and Active
Highlighting the Work of Dr. Jennifer Bute
by
Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA
During our first ever International Symposium in London on August 22nd, Dr. Jennifer Bute, who is living well with dementia, shared her work about keeping her mind sharp and active while helping so many others to do the same. Her determination to not give up or give in, while acknowledging the need for changing her living situation and routines, has prompted her to live well for many years.
Her ability to make use of her computer, tablet, internet, and a variety of tech devices fosters her daily function and enables her to continue her work in advocacy and outreach to support others. Her history as a medical practitioner provided her with one view of dementia, her father's journey offered a second perspective, and now her own voyage through this condition provides her with a deeper appreciation of the importance of changing our societal view of this phenomena and the support that is offered.
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What I have learned on the way to becoming a "Healthcare Hero"
by Deborah Selsavage, PAC Certified Independent Trainer
Even before I had the opportunity to study under Teepa Snow, I had become an advocate for person-centered compassionate care. I saw it work with my husband who died from dementia in 2010. After a series of difficult experiences that including his being kicked out of several communities, I found a couple who ran a six bed memory care facility who practiced compassionate care based on an abiding belief that love and respect was the basis for proper care, regardless of how challenging the person living with dementia might be.
After Albert's death, I became a licensed assisted living facility administrator, but eventually decided I could do more good by creating my own company to promote and train in techniques of compassionate care. So, in 2014 I formed Coping with Dementia LLC, earned my PAC Trainer certification, and become a Certified Dementia Practitioner.
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How Tender Loving Care Can Impact Dementia
by Rosanne Burke, PAC Certified Independent Trainer
Last May, Karuna did something that many caregivers never do. She asked for help.
In a message to the teepasnow.com website, Karuna explained that her mother, Isabelle, had fallen eight times in the past six days and was admitted to hospital. She went on to say that her mother has advanced vascular dementia. Fortunately, she was medically stable and would be returning to the private retirement facility where she had been living for the past year. Karuna and her family decided that the philosophy of care going forward would be to provide simple quality of life experiences, staying close, and doing very little. She asked, "Is there anything else you can suggest to me as a devoted and loving daughter?"
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Meaningful Engagement When Your Loved One Has Dementia
by Nancy Kriseman, LCSW
As an eldercare Clinical Social Worker, I have worked with individuals who are living with dementia and those caring for them for over 35 years. Midway through my career, my mother was diagnosed with probable Alzheimers at age 71 and died at 87. As mom's dementia progressed, she had to move into assisted living, and then later into a nursing home. I soon realized that spending time together without a specific plan was often unpleasant for us both. Meaningful engagement was up to me! I had to be mindful of her strengths and abilities and continually adapt to where she was cognitively, emotionally, and physically.
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Free Care Support at Home!
Provide the best possible care for a person living with dementia at home
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2018 Certifications Calendar Coming Soon
with exciting dates and locations across the US, Canada, the UK, and more!
In the mean time, there are a few certification events still left in 2017. Join us!
Become a PAC Certified Independent
Engagement Leader!
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Upcoming Events
October 13, 2017
Walled Lake, MI
October 13, 2017
Atlanta, GA
October 24, 2017
Educational Day
Edmonds, WA
November 8, 2017
Educational Day and Evening
Grand Rapids, MI
November 11, 2017
2nd Annual National
Caregiving Conference
Chicago, IL
November 15, 2017
Nursing and Social Workers Conference
Bolton Landing, NY
November 16, 2017
Educational Conference
Columbus, OH
November 28, 2017
Educational Day
Charlottesville, VA
November 30, 2017
Educational Day
Livonia, MI
December 7, 2017
Transforming the Journey
Yountville, CA
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New Webinars
Coming Soon!
October 13, 2017
Sexuality and Intimacy
for PLwD
for Friends / Families
for Professionals
October 25, 2017
Driving Under the
Influence...of Dementia
for PLwD
for Friends / Families
for Professionals
October 27, 2017
Dementia and the
LGBT Community
for PLwD
for Friends / Families
for Professionals
October 31, 2017
From Preventative to
Palliative Care
for PLwD
for Friends / Families
for Professionals
More...
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Upcoming Webinars in the
Getting Connected Series
BUILDING SKILL TO SUPPORT GEMS®
Click on the
green events
to register
(Late Stage Dementia)
October 27, 2017
9-10:30 am EDT
9-10:30 am EST
9-11 am EST (2 hours)
UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENT DEMENTIAS
October 30, 2017
10-11:30 am EDT
November 20, 2017
10-11:30 am EST
December 18, 2017
10-11:30 am EST
Cost per webinar is
$20.00 per session
(includes access to the recording)
live webinar events?
Access the recordings
on our
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Book your event today for staff training, family nights, professional referral source events, or refresher workshops
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PAC Training increases awareness, knowledge, and confidence among care staff and educates resident families.
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Multiple Titles Available in DVD
or
via Online Streaming
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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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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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