Is Stress Reaction a form of Behavioral Expression in Dementia?

Posted by Pam Brandon on Feb 8, 2019 12:25:42 PM

Stress Reaction is a term being used more often to describe communication in persons living with dementia.  Behavioral expression, too, is communication.  In a growing number of circles, the term behavioral expression is being replaced by stress reaction simply because behaviors sometimes leans toward being a negative descriptive of how persons with dementia express unmet needs.

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Topics: dementia care, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, Care Partners, compassionate touch, Dementia Live, leadership, Hospital Professionals, Stress, AGE-u-cate Training, Behavioral Expression, communication

The Depression-Dementia Link and What Caregivers Need to Know

Posted by Pam Brandon on Nov 13, 2018 10:37:46 AM

Far too often I talk to family caregivers who are concerned about their loved one's cognitive decline.  It is not uncommon to hear such explanations go something like this:

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Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, Family, caregivers, Dementia Live, Hospital Professionals, family caregivers, Depression, families, older adults, health, Pseudodementia

The Family Caregiving Tsunami is Here. How are We Supporting Them?

Posted by Pam Brandon on Nov 8, 2018 2:38:21 PM

We have a family caregiving tsunami whose tidal waves are affecting every corner of our society.  I venture to say that most communities are not prepared for the domino effects of a fast-aging population let along to provide support to their families that are scrambling to stay above water - emotionally, physically and financially.

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Topics: Senior Care Professionals, aging services, Family Caregiver, Family, caregivers, leadership, Alzheimer's disease, caregiving, Faith Community, family caregivers, support, National Family Caregivers Month

What Would Life be Like if You were a Resident for a Day?

Posted by Pam Brandon on Oct 12, 2018 4:19:22 PM

What would life be like if you stepped into the world of a resident in long-term care?   Perhaps it would awaken us to the fact that they see things much differently than we do.  Maybe it would make us understand their experiences, challenges, and thought processes.  Do you think that we might be more empathetic?  Gosh, I hope so.

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Topics: Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, Caregiver, leadership, Hospital Professionals, resident needs

Can we Age Well through the Challenges of Aging?

Posted by Pam Brandon on Oct 5, 2018 11:22:14 AM

Until a miracle cure is found to stop, reverse or drastically slow down the aging process,  the news flash of the day is that we will all leave this earth someday.  In our anti-aging driven society of wrinkle reducers and body re-shaping, the fact is that all of us are, shall I say it - AGING!  The question is not that we are aging, but can we age well through the challenges of aging?

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Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, Faith Community, aging, chronic illness, Age Well, older adults

Personhood and it's Value in Dementia Care

Posted by Pam Brandon on Oct 2, 2018 12:02:00 PM

Quite simply, the definition of personhood is the quality or condition of being an individual person.  At the core of personhood is the self- who we are are, our values and beliefs.  It's who makes us who we are.  Being able to recognize the "self" of personhood is key to understanding and practicing person-centered care for persons living with dementia.

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Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, dementia care, Person-centered, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, Faith Community, Person centered care, Personhood, Work

The Healing Power of Touch. Why are we Depriving our Elders?

Posted by Pam Brandon on Sep 14, 2018 10:17:11 AM

It the first sense to develop in the womb and one of the last ones to go during the dying process.

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Topics: dementia care, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Elders, compassionate touch, leadership, Hospital Professionals, aging, Anxiety, Healing Touch, End-of-life, older adults, Healing, Skilled Touch

Suicide and Older Adults - Risk Factors and Warning Signs

Posted by Pam Brandon on Sep 4, 2018 10:00:27 AM

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. This year, World Suicide Prevention Day will be observed on September 10.  The following information will help readers understand risk factors and warning signs of suicide in older adults.  

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Topics: Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, leadership, Hospital Professionals, Mental Health, AGE-u-cate Training Insitute, Suicide in Older Adults, older adults

Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's - the Challenges of Diagnosis

Posted by Pam Brandon on Aug 28, 2018 11:56:49 AM

Research confirms that by the age of 40, almost 100% of persons with Down syndrome who die have changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD).  Understanding this link and the challenges of a diagnosis of AD in persons with Down syndrome is important for families and healthcare professionals.

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Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Training, Family, Care Partners, compassionate touch, Dementia Live, leadership, Alzheimer's disease, Hospital Professionals, families, Downs Syndrome

Is it Delirium or Dementia - Learn the Differences

Posted by Pam Brandon on Aug 21, 2018 10:00:50 AM

Delirium is an acute disorder of attention and global cognition, including perception and memory, and is treatable.  Learning the differences between delirium and dementia is important for professional and family caregivers, as the diagnosis is missed in more than 50% of the cases.

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Topics: healthcare, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, compassionate touch, Dementia Live, Hospital Professionals, family caregivers, professionals, families, AGE-u-cate Training Insitute, older adults, delirium, hospital

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