People living with dementia can cause significant distress for their caregivers by exhibiting strange or difficult behavior. This could take the form of repetitive questions (“When am I going home?”), delusional thoughts (“I have to take care of the baby!”), exit-seeking, agitation, verbal aggression, or physical aggression can all appear. These behaviors can seem random and unmanageable.

We’re often told to redirect our loved ones to another activity to distract them from their behavior, but this runs the risk of passing over the real emotion they are expressi…

As an occupational therapist deeply committed to enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with dementia and their families, I would like to introduce you to my favorite program: Skills2Care®! This innovative program is designed specifically to support family caregivers/care partners of people living with dementia.
Why is the Skills2Care® Program Important?
The program aims to reduce caregivers’ level of upset and increase their confidence in handling some of the most challenging aspects of day-to-day care. Understanding what Skills2Care® is and the import…

Care partners of people living with dementia must often cope with their loved one asking the same question many times a day. Why does this happen? How can a care partner respond helpfully while keeping their sanity?
Case Study: “Where’s James?”
Twelve, Anita thought to herself. This was the twelfth time today that she would have to explain to Mom that her son, Anita’s little brother, died of a heart attack years ago at the age of 45. This question came so frequently that Anita had numbed herself. “James is gone, Mom.”

She watched her mother’s face as she …

As we age, changes in memory and cognitive function are common concerns. It’s natural to notice a difference in the ability to recall facts or recognize people as quickly as when we were younger. These changes are a normal part of aging, but it’s crucial to distinguish between typical age-related memory changes and those that may signal a more serious issue, such as dementia.
Normal Aging vs. Dementia-Related Memory Changes
Memory changes are a natural part of aging. Age-associated memory impairment is considered normal and doesn’t necessarily indicate dementia. Occasiona…

As we get older, the chance increases that we will become a caregiver for a family member.  Or perhaps, we will have friends who are living with dementia.  Understanding more about ways to help loved ones is an important way to deal with the challenges of this disease.
Challenging interactions: living with dementia
Picture John and Alisha, an older couple, in their living room in the late morning. Alisha was hoping for a quiet read of the paper, which she and John always used to do together at this time of day, trading sections back and forth. But that was before John�…