The Art of Utilizing a Fiblet
#Alzheimer's

The Art of Utilizing a Fiblet

What is a fiblet? In the world of dementia, you may understand the term fiblet as a “lie” or “white lie.”  In order to increase the quality of day for the person living with dementia, the caregiver must create moments of peace and reassurance.  I would like you to reframe the term fiblet as a “therapeutic non-truth.”  In general, caregivers prefer to tell the truth.  In the world of dementia, it is referred to as reality orientation.  This choice may not be in the best interest of the person with dementia. If we think of a fiblet as a therapeutic

October 15, 2019
Bettering Your Service Outcomes
Caregiver support

Bettering Your Service Outcomes Through Dementia Education

The investment of educating professional healthcare providers will improve the results of the services you deliver to your clients living with dementia.  The Workforce Development Workgroup researched and wrote Workforce Gaps in Dementia Education and Training in 2017, as part of the National Research Summit: Building Evidence for Services and Supports on Dementia Care, supports this.  The number of people living with dementia continue to grow despite all the research and treatment trials.  We are facing an epidemic that is forcing families to make hard decisions regarding care for their loved one.  In most cases, institutionalization is the last option

May 21, 2019
Are You Prepared When Your Loved One Gets Lost
#Alzheimer's

Are You Prepared When Your Loved One Gets Lost?

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the statistic is that 6 in 10 people who live with Alzheimer’s or other dementia, will wander from the safety of their familiar home environment.  In my experience, the risk is closer to 8 in 10 people.  A common factor in not preparing, is the caregiver rejecting the idea that his or her loved one is capable of leaving; nor, has the desire to leave.  No one can predict when, where, or how, so why not take steps to prevent it?  The person living with dementia always has a goal which drives them from the

April 28, 2019
Daughter comforts Mom
Alzheimer's Care

Home Is Where The Heart Is

“I want to go home” is a very common statement expressed by a person living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia usually voiced later in the disease process.  We need to first understand the reason behind the statement.  Finding out the “why” will allow us to better know how to respond.  Home is where most of us are most comfortable and content.  We find ourselves feeling safe, secure, and accepted.  Home is where we belong.  A person living with Alzheimer’s eventually does not know where home is.  At this point, when the person is asking to go home, what is it

February 7, 2019
Elderly Woman Bathing
Caregiver Training

Bathing… The Ultimate Battle

How can you change the inevitable protest of bathing? Personal and professional caregivers for those living with dementia report their biggest challenge is assisting the person with bathing. A daughter once came to me with tears in her eyes stating, “I can’t do this anymore.”  She went on to explain the difficulty she experiences when attempting to assist her mother with bathing.  Every attempt resulted in yelling, arguing, and crying.   This was obviously a traumatic experience for both.  In order to understand the whole situation, I visited the home.  I looked at the physical space of the bathroom and evaluated

January 13, 2019

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