A Family's Journey to Transforming Dementia Care:

The Callahan Family

Caring for a loved one with dementia is a journey that requires patience, adaptability, and support. Today, I want to recognize a family who embraced change and found success in shifting their approach to care.



Meet the Callahan Family

I first met the family nearly a year ago. The wife is living with dementia, and the family was struggling to understand her unique ways of communicating unmet needs. Despite their deep love and commitment, they were at a loss for how to best support her. Their priority was ensuring the best possible quality of life for her while also recognizing that her husband, as her primary caregiver, needed support too. When focusing on the care receiver, the care partner will often set aside their own needs. Doing this can lead to a crisis in a matter of weeks or months.

The Challenge: When Helping Creates More Distress

Responding to unmet needs in dementia care is not always intuitive. The more they tried to help the wife understand her surroundings, the more distressed she became, leading to greater frustration for all of them. Seeing the toll this was taking, the family stepped in, recognizing that something had to change.

 "Thanks to Dementia Care Solutions, we haven't felt alone on this journey. I am deeply grateful for the positive impact Sheri has had on our family’s life.”

~Megan C

----

“You made it possible to give me the time and realize that perhaps with help I can get through HARD times."

~Bob C

A Shift in Approach: Equipping the Family with Tools

In our first session together, we assessed what might be happening and identified potential unmet needs. Once we had a clearer picture, we introduced the family to a new approach—the Fish Approach—designed to support people living with dementia “in the water”, rather than trying to pull her into the care partners reality, “up on land.”

The Callahan family was ready to embrace this challenge. They “gathered their gear,” adding new communication tools to their caregiving toolbelt. By the end of the first session, they were equipped with fresh strategies to approach the wife with greater understanding and flexibility.

Adding More Support: A Step-by-Step Journey

Recognizing that the husband was feeling the weight of 24/7 caregiving, the family took steps to add support. They started with adult day programming and in-home care services, making “baby steps” to ensure overall well-being. “Baby steps” became a common phrase with the family. While not every step went perfectly, they remained committed to the journey, staying flexible as needs evolved.

As often happens, once families begin adding support, they realize just how much help they actually need. Over time, the Callahan’s adjusted the care plan, accordingly, extending care in the home by an additional seven months. Eventually, they made the thoughtful decision to transition her to a long-term care community.

A New Chapter: Transitioning to Long-Term Care

Moving a loved one to long-term care is not a sign of giving up, it’s a recognition that more support is needed. The Callahan’s approached this transition with skill, understanding, and guidance from Dementia Care Solutions. Their dedication ensured a smooth and compassionate move for everyone involved.

Importantly, the care community they selected had specialized dementia training, coaching, and consulting through Dementia Care Solutions, which made a profound difference in the wife’s experience. When families and care communities work together, the transition becomes not just manageable, but meaningful.

Hear From the Family

“I cannot recommend Dementia Care Solutions highly enough. When my family was faced with my mother’s dementia diagnosis, we felt overwhelmed and unsure of how to provide her with the best possible care. Through Sheri's compassionate guidance and expertise, we found clarity, support, and practical strategies that made a world of difference.

We adopted techniques that not only helped us manage the daily challenges but also allowed my mother to thrive as her dementia progressed. Most importantly, we have been empowered to create a loving, supportive environment for her. It's hard to put into words just how rewarding it is to see my mom still smile and laugh daily due to the changes we have implemented." 

Your Journey Can Be Transformed, Too

The Callahan family’s story is a testament to the power of education, support, and a willingness to adapt. If there were a textbook for dementia care and planning, this family followed it perfectly. If you or a loved one are navigating the complexities of dementia care, you don’t have to do it alone.

Contact Dementia Care Solutions today to learn more about the Fish Approach and how your caregiving experience can be transformed.

📩 Email: sheri@dementiacaresolutions.org

📞 Call/Text: 920-883-8076