Search Results for: tips

Advocacy, Challenges & Solutions, Toward better care

7 reasons why physicians continue to prescribe antipsychotic drugs to people who live with dementia when they shouldn’t

My Alzheimer's Story

There is irrefutable evidence that prescribing antipsychotic drugs to people who live with dementia does more harm than good in most cases. These drugs are NOT approved for use in dementia care in most countries. So why are physicians still prescribing these medications to people who live with dementia? Because physicians: are often pressured by… Continue reading 7 reasons why physicians continue to prescribe antipsychotic drugs to people who live with dementia when they shouldn’t

Advocacy, Antipsychotic drugs, Toward better care

10 seldom-mentioned “side effects” of using antipsychotics in long-term dementia care, which are also 10 more good reasons we should #BanBPSD

My Alzheimer's Story

There are a tonne of reasons not to give antipsychotics to people who live with dementia. I’ve blogged about them here, here and here (among many other places). There are also a tonne of reasons why people are given antipsychotic medications in long-term care, most of which have something to do with their normal responses… Continue reading 10 seldom-mentioned “side effects” of using antipsychotics in long-term dementia care, which are also 10 more good reasons we should #BanBPSD

Resources, Tips, tools & skills, Toward better care

two quick dementia care conversation tips from dr. al power

My Alzheimer's Story

I highly recommend Dr. Allen Power’s two books Dementia Beyond Drugs, and Dementia Beyond Disease for care partners and care workers who want to deepen their understanding of how to best engage and support people living with dementia. The books aren’t cheap. BUT, they are excellent value: full of real-life stories, tips, perspectives, new ways… Continue reading two quick dementia care conversation tips from dr. al power

Advocacy, Antipsychotic drugs, Death & Dying, Life & Living

human rights watch nails crux of antipsychotic problem in nursing homes

My Alzheimer's Story

This six-minute video is the précis version of Human Rights Watch’s 165-page report published on February 5, 2018. It confirms what many dementia care advocates and activists, and even the US government itself has known for years: there’s a drug abuse problem in the country’s long-term care industry, and elderly people who live with dementia bear the… Continue reading human rights watch nails crux of antipsychotic problem in nursing homes

Advocacy, Antipsychotic drugs, Life & Living

15 experts tell the truth about antipsychotic use in nursing homes

My Alzheimer's Story

A 165-page Human Rights Watch report published on February 5, 2018, confirms what many dementia care advocates and activists, and even the US government itself has known for years: there’s a drug abuse problem in the country’s long-term care industry, and elderly people who live with dementia are bearing the brunt of it. According to… Continue reading 15 experts tell the truth about antipsychotic use in nursing homes

Advocacy, Antipsychotic drugs, Toward better care

elderly man with dementia dies in quebec ltcf from inappropriately prescribed antipsychotic drugs

My Alzheimer's Story

Christin Belley’s 89-year-old father Jean-Pierre, who lived with Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia, was still driving in the summer of 2017. He had some health issues (who doesn’t at 89?), but he was relatively well when entered a long-term care facility (LTCF) in the province of Quebec on December 11, 2017. He was walking and… Continue reading elderly man with dementia dies in quebec ltcf from inappropriately prescribed antipsychotic drugs

Advocacy, Antipsychotic drugs, Toward better care

teepa talks antipsychotics: 6 quotable quotes

My Alzheimer's Story

When I read reporter Gillian Slade’s Medicine Hat News article on Teepa Snow’s perspective on antipsychotics, the quotes jumped out at me. It was the first time I’d “heard” Teepa speak out so clearly about how antipsychotic medications often make things worse rather than better for people who live with dementia. I thought it would… Continue reading teepa talks antipsychotics: 6 quotable quotes

Care Partnering, Challenges & Solutions, Resources, Tips, tools & skills

30 tips to help reduce anxiety in dementia care

My Alzheimer's Story

We all get anxious sometimes. It’s normal. Often it seems that people who live with dementia experience anxiety more than others. Maybe they have more to be anxious about. Maybe they are more sensitive to stimulation or lack of stimulation. Maybe they become more anxious in particular circumstances or at certain times. Here are 30… Continue reading 30 tips to help reduce anxiety in dementia care

Advocacy, Antipsychotic drugs, Toward better care

20 caregivers answer the antipsychotic question

My Alzheimer's Story

Anyone who reads this blog knows my position on inappropriately prescribing antipsychotic medications to people who live with dementia. Risperdal (risperidone) and Seroquel (quetiapine) robbed my mother of her ability to live her life as fully as she would have wished for her last four years. Their use on her was cruel, abusive and completely… Continue reading 20 caregivers answer the antipsychotic question

Care Partnering, Teepa Snow, Tips, tools & skills, Videos

7 teepa tips to help people with dementia do what they can to care

My Alzheimer's Story

Mom adored her cat Pia Roma; she came to live with Mom in her big red brick house on the hill sometime after 2001. In the mornings, Pia and Mom delighted in having tea for two. But as Mom’s dementia progressed, it got harder for her to care for her beloved Pia. Twice when I… Continue reading 7 teepa tips to help people with dementia do what they can to care