“Your mom’s been weepy and anxious since I got here this afternoon,” Nurse Ratched* said as I approached. She was writing notes in a binder that lay on top of the meds cart. I stopped beside her. “She’s not feeling well. Maybe something to do with the food at dinner, or a BM. Anyway, she’s… Continue reading the story of the dirty pull-up
These gifts are inexpensive (they don’t cost dollars and cents, so everyone can afford them), and yet priceless (because of the fact they can’t be bought, and must be given from the heart). Even better, they can be gifted all year round! Please consider giving one, several or all of these gifts this year (and… Continue reading 6 priceless gifts you could give people living with dementia (and everyone else for that matter!)
Are you a dementia care partner who lives in a world full of grief, loss and suffering? What if you didn’t have to be in that dark, depressing place? What if you could transform your suffering into healing? What if you could release your feelings of grief and loss? Moreover, what if changing your world… Continue reading 7 ways to transform dementia care grief and suffering into joy and healing
I strongly believe that people who live with dementia and their care partners need to speak out and tell their stories if dementia care is ever to reach the standard it should be at in Canada and around the world. During the last four years of her life, I visited my mother virtually every day… Continue reading i tell my mom’s story to help improve dementia care worldwide
“I LOVE your newsletter!” the email began. “I often share your stories with our students and instructors. I actually printed, laminated and posted your ‘let me shine’ dementia rhyme in all our classrooms and labs.” The message was from Angela Del Bianco, the Marketing & Program Development Manager at Drake Medox College/Drake Medox Health Solutions… Continue reading 1 easy way you can help change the face of dementia care worldwide
November 21, 2018: Gloria Gallagher has lived with Alzheimer’s disease for more than a decade. She’s paralyzed from the neck down, and so she cannot move her arms or legs. She can’t get out of bed, and has a hard time articulating what she wants to say. She’s been “this close” to death numerous times.… Continue reading bj and her mom gloria look for blessings
Barbara Kirby has a long list of qualifications: she is a certified Dementia Practitioner; certified Professional Consultant on Aging; and a Seniors Housing Specialist. She is also a certified Cultural Transformation Tools Consultant who completed her graduate certificate in Values Based Leadership at Royal Roads University, and a certified Residential Care Advocate. In addition, she has… Continue reading shift the culture, stop the bullies
The state of our elder care health system (worldwide!) is atrocious. And many care workers within it are as neglected and abused as the people they are supposed to be taking care of. After former care worker Heather Reece read bullied and banned: rachel’s story, she wrote: “Having been a carer of people with dementia, [I… Continue reading it’s as frustrating for care workers as it is for family members
Harry Urban Lives with dementia. He started the Facebook dementia support group called Forget Me Not (it’s a closed group, you will need to request to join if you want to become a member). Harry, who is an administrator on the Forget Me Not page, posts there frequently, and sometimes shares those posts on his… Continue reading are we way off target?
“It enrages, sickens and saddens me when I see Alzheimer’s Disease International promoting Eli Lilly and Janssen R&D/Johnson & Johnson,” I rant in an email to a fellow dementia care advocate/activist on the other side of the world. Half a planet separates us, but my gut tells me we’re on the same page. My gut… Continue reading PR: should alzheimer’s advocates be doing it for #BIGpharma?
My Alzheimer's Story 