August 2019
What Happens in the US stays in the US… not with PAC!!!
This year, more than ever, our outreach is growing. Members of our team are working with people across the world to provide support and a different way of being part of the world for people living with dementia and their care partners and providers.
While I was in Hawaii, we had attendees at the Hawaii Healthcare Association Conference and our Engagement Skills Day Intensive from many of the islands and at least 16 island cultural groups. That diversity allowed us to develop new resources and offerings that matched the people who were present and who were to be served by those providing care. We had musical instruments from Hawaii, word games in Japanese, Portuguese bean soup to share out as a snack, and an opening activity of weaving a ribbon lei for one another.
Lauren with a Side of Lewy
by Lauren U, PAC Core Team
July has been a good month. I wrote some ideas down as they happened.
This has been a fun day. I found a blue pen. I prefer the blue ink much more than the black ink. Color. My current theme is about color. Don't know why. And art. I like art. Pretty food. That was some of the prettiest food I've ever seen. It was prettier before people started eating it. And the ride from there to here. Beautiful scenery and a virtual reality experience with Teepa. Better than the rollercoaster ride Teepa and I had in Las Vegas.
Day one was good. There were a lot of people in the audience. Teepa and I did our thing and it went well. These people, they remember me? Interesting. Laughter. Everyone was very kind, interested, and generally enjoying the learning experience. I met a lot of new people. More color.
You’re Wanting to Know Who I Am
What to say and do when someone doesn’t recognize you
There are times when someone living with dementia doesn’t know me or calls me other people and curses when I tell them I am me!!
When someone thinks you aren’t who you say you are, it can be a real b*tch! It can feel like the person is losing you and you are losing them. However, it is also possible a couple of real brain farts might be happening – and they are farts - here and gone, but they stink!
One Option
- You had asked them to do something or told them they couldn't do something.
- You couldn't do something shortly before the episode and they didn't like it. Therefore, a primitive part of their brain told them:
“That is not your partner. Your partner would never treat you like that or talk to you like that, therefore, it is someone else.”
- Three Things That Surprised Me About the Dementia Care Partner Support Series
- Three Skills and Two Strengths Needed to Avoid Becoming the Lone Ranger in Dementia Care
The Care Partner Support Series - Five Sessions to Change connects caregivers of a person living with dementia to other caregivers around the world. It provides you with a forum where you can talk openly and freely about your challenges. As well, it will help you gain awareness and knowledge of care strategies to help improve interactions with your loved one.
Don't delay! Registration is limited to 12 participants!
Respectful Strategies for Getting A Person to A Dementia Screening
by Valerie Feurich,
PAC Product Marketing and Technology Lead
Have you noticed changes in a close friend or family member? Do you worry that some of these changes might be related to dementia? Getting a proper diagnosis is important when you suspect a loved one might be living with dementia, but what do you do if the person is refusing to visit a physician?
The reasons for refusal differ from person to person, but it is common for people to not notice that they have changed. Yet others might have noticed something going on with themselves, but would rather not want to know that there’s something wrong with them, or possibly don’t see why they should bother getting checked.
As a worried friend or family member, this situation can lead to anxiety and frustration, and possibly cause conflict with the person you’re concerned about.
PACk Your Toolkit
Add PAC Skills With Interactive Experiences
by Amanda Snow Bulgarelli, PAC COO and Mentor
Does your team need a few more tools in your dementia toolkit?
Bring These PAC Skills To Your Team in Your Own Way
- Positive Physical Approach™ (PPA™)
- Hand-under-Hand® (HuH®)
- GEMS® identification
Phone Consultations
Do you have a question or situation that you would like to discuss in more detail?
We offer phone consultations with a Positive Approach to Care certified consultant, who will gather information and explore strategies together with you.
- The first 30 minute phone consultation is free of charge
- Additional consultations are $45 USD per hour.
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The Second Dart
by Reverend Linn Possell,
PAC Speaker and Mentor
In one of the sacred traditions, they talk about how we suffer because of what is called the second dart. The first dart we cannot control, but the second dart we can control. First darts are things that occur in our life that cause us stress, and while these pains and frustrations of our life are unavoidable, we do have control over our response and how we think about these pains and frustrations. When something unavoidable happens in our life, we have control over what we choose to do next. Sometimes what we do or think becomes a second dart and this is the dart that can cause us even more stress than the first. The reactive thoughts that create negativity in our lives are called second darts. The reactions of fear and frustration are second darts. Second darts are what we throw at ourselves. These are our judgements and reactions to the first dart. Second darts are responsible for the majority of our day to day suffering. Pain is inevitable but suffering is optional.
Decoding Distress
by Carolyn Lukert, MBA, CGCM
and Cheryl Buchholtz,
PAC Mentors
Distress and Dementia – two words that we often find used together. And just why is that, I wonder? Who is in distress, and why is it happening? Can distress be prevented entirely? Or, perhaps minimized? Wow, many questions, I know! So how do we actually go about figuring this out? How do we decode distress?
Let’s use the scenario in the video clip below to help explore some of the questions presented above.
What did you notice about the distress levels in Take One? Who was in distress? Why? How did Cheryl’s reaction contribute? What did you notice was different in Take Two? Why? Who made a change and how did those changes impact the levels of distress? Which version had the greater likelihood of success regarding getting Carolyn to her appointment?
Understanding Changes Everything
by Mary Donnelly,
PAC Certified Independent Trainer, Consultant, Mentor, and Speaker
The first time I heard the phrase Understanding changes everything, it was from a speaker whose presentation had nothing to do with dementia.
She was speaking about dogs.
Kim Brophey, a nationally-credentialed dog behaviorist and author of Meet Your Dog, facilitates problem-solving between people and dogs. Using information about each dog’s background – a system she calls LEGS, for Learning, Environment, Genetics, and Self - she is able to put together an individual picture of how and why dogs think and behave as they do. Then, by sharing this information with their human owners, she helps them see their dogs in a new light. She creates a bridge between owners and their dogs – a bridge based on understanding.
Where had I heard that concept before? Then it hit me – this is like Teepa’s Six Pieces of the Puzzle! Both are tools that help us look beyond the surface – beyond the behaviors – to create a clearer understanding of WHY this is happening…and more important, how we can better respond to it.
What About Us? Great Resources for People Living with Dementia
by Kathleen Landel, MA,
PAC Mentor
Nancy and John were the first to arrive at my dementia education workshop. They warmly introduced themselves, and shared that John had been recently diagnosed with dementia. John actively participated in the learning activities and asked great questions, searching for knowledge and understanding.
It’s rare for people living with dementia (PLwD) to attend one of my workshops. I got to thinking how dementia is one of the few medical conditions where education and support is primarily focused on the care partner. John was eager to continue his learning, and find support for himself, so I recommended some resources that I’d like to share.
My best source of information is to follow several self-advocates who are book authors and bloggers, and live with dementia.
In Your Own Words
Family members and professional care partners talk about the benefits of music
by Mary Sue Wilkinson,
Founder of Singing Heart to Heart
Note: In June, I asked readers to tell me how they are using music in care. Here is a sample of the responses I received. I hope their words will inspire you.
My goal is to help make it easier for you to use music. To do that, I need to hear from the experts – you! So, I have a simple request. Tell me what you need help with. What would make it easier for you to use music in care? What are the challenges you face? I may not have all the answers, but I’ll do my best. I will use your questions to help me choose the most important topics for future articles and training videos. Thank you!
Mary Sue
P.S. The first five people to respond will receive a free copy of my new CD, Sing Along with Mary Sue: Folk Song Favorites for Young and Old, to be released in early September.
There are SO Many Benefits to PAC Certifications!
Positive Approach to Care's Online Dementia Journal (ODJ) is a free monthly e-newsletter designed for families and professional care partners who are looking to grow their awareness and knowledge in order to provide better care for people living with dementia.
Each edition of the ODJ contains articles for daily living and videos that demonstrate hands-on skills. The ODJ also serves as a great way to receive updates on when and where you can see Teepa and her Team. All of the articles in the ODJ are created by Teepa Snow, the Positive Approach to Care team, or it's affiliates, so that you get the latest news on developing programs, training tools, and advocacy efforts/ideas from around the world.
Join the PAC Community of Care!
Learn more or subscribe to the ODJ here.
Be an Expert in Dementia Care!
We know that you understand the importance of education in dementia care… Positive Approach® to Care (PAC)® certification matters because quality care matters. We take dementia care to a whole new level. Because dementia can present very complex challenges, PAC provides in-depth information to help you understand what may be happening physically, and also presents practical techniques on how to handle challenging situations.
Care. Connect. Educate.
Our training is dynamic and human-focused. Teepa Snow, world renowned dementia care trainer and professional, brings more than 40 years of experience and education to create a highly effective educational program designed for all facets of dementia care.
Highlighted 2019 Public Certifications:
We would love to talk with you to discuss which type of certification may be right for you (and your team)! If you have questions or would like further information to help you decide please call us at 877-877-1671, Option 1 or email Certifications.
Click here for a complete list of certifications.
These sessions were designed to create a learning space for individuals who are providing care and support for PLwD.
Strategies to Get Someone to a Healthcare Provider When They Don't Want to Go
Exploring the Causes and Meaning of Sundowning
This series was developed to provide a space for teams of care partners to come together to learn how to problem solve and provide support to each other and people living with dementia.
Decoding Distress in Dementia
How to Recognize the Various Dementias in Order to Provide Effective Support
Changing people's lives and ways of thinking with just your presence and your information is no easy task. Join the series for a behind the scenes tour of how Teepa reaches audiences of all types, day in and day out. You will work with Teepa and PAC Mentors in whole group sessions and smaller, breakout sessions to allow you to practice and grow your presentation skills on Teepa's dementia content.
Session Three
Session Four
Session Five
Session Three
Session Four