Holiday Connections with Dementia

During the holidays families want to connect with their loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, but being in the midst of a global pandemic has not made that easy!

In this quick video below, Polly and Rachel, of Positive Approach to Care explore ways to connect with someone by phone who is in the early or middle to late stages of dementia.

The women run through two role playing exercises and then discuss particular techniques to enhance the communication.

Phone Communication Tips:

• Hearing your voice, and creating a connection, is what counts
• Share stories without expectation of them to add details
• Be careful how you phrase questions
• No need to fill the space, just being quiet with the person is okay
• Reflect back the conversation to show listening and compassion
• To connect, adjust your speed to match theirs and move forward together

Alzheimer’s and other dementias are difficult disease journeys, no doubt, but there is so much opportunity for connection and success together. By understanding even a bit of what’s happening in the brain of our patients— and embracing some simple techniques — everyone can have more delightful visit, as well as a deeper connection and a smoother journey.

Take this holiday season as an opportunity to review the Alzheimer’s communication strategies below with family members who haven’t seen their loved one in a bit.

Positive Approach to Care communication tips:

1. Don’t argue. Ever.
2. Don’t ask if they remember you
3. Don’t be disappointed if they don’t recognize you
4. Talk about the people, things or events yourself and let them join in
5. Don’t treat them in ways you wouldn’t want to be treated yourself
6. Include them in activities
7. Don’t talk about them as if they aren’t there
8. Don’t pity or patronize them
9. Don’t forget they are people just like you
10. Focus and celebrate the things they can

Happy Holidays!

Download a FREE activity guide for the holidays, please check out her newest blog post here: https://teepasnow.com/blog/creating-h… © Positive Approach, LLC

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The Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care Alliance is thrilled to start our second year of dementia training with nationally renounced dementia care educator, Teepa Snow. She will be speaking on Caring for Dementia Patients During the COVID- 19 Pandemic on January 21 at 1:00 pm. The webinar will be recorded and added to the Dementia Training website. Attendance, and the recording, is free for Alliance members.

Teepa Snow is one of the leading educators on dementia and the care that accompanies it. As an occupational therapist with 40 years of clinical practice, her company, Positive Approaches to Care offers education and support on how to engage people experiencing changes in brain function. She delivers an inspiring and compelling program that is highly effective for increasing hands-on skills and awareness. We are excited to partner with her on this offering.

Will include:

• How to support a person living with dementia through the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Ways to adapt the principles of the Positive Approach® to Care (PAC) model when you can’t physically be together.
  • Communication
  • Connection Strategies While Using PPE
• Ideas for Engagement and Activity Options in the Home Setting.
  • Effects of Social Isolation on Those Living with Dementia
  • Tips for Connecting via Phone and Video Chat

If you want to view the presentation live, please register at: https://homecarenh.org/wp-content/uploads/events/caring-for-dementia-care-in-the-time-of-covid-19/. The recording will be housed on the dementia site with the rest of the modules.

Leave your best holiday tips in the comment box below!