Greetings. Welcome to winter and the promise of increasing daylight.

Just before the change of season, some of our staff attended a conference with dementia expert, Teepa Snow. For the second year, Teepa included people with various dementias in the conference to share their experiences and to help the rest of us understand what they are thinking, interpreting, or struggling with, while we attempt to provide care. It was very valuable to hear how care receivers perceive or are affected by our efforts to care.

With the help of these brave individuals, Teepa introduced us to the idea that dementia is not a disease, but a disability.  Yes, it is a physical and mental condition that limits a person’s movement, senses, or activities. This change takes us from looking at a disease state of symptoms without a cure, to a disability with which we can intervene.

  

We cannot correct a symptom, but if we think in terms of a disability, we can help them with mobility issues by watching and assisting with their balance and changing their environment by removing obstacles, as just one example of this different way of thinking of dementia.

Below is a link to our article on several tech solutions which may help you care for your family member who has a dementia, or other disabilities. 

Find out more about how Alexa and similar digital assistants, as well as device trackers and the Evernote storage and organizational app, can help caregivers and those with dementia. Read more