We were on KENS5!

We were honored to be asked on KENS5 Great Day SA to do a segment on Alzheimer's and dementia during Alzheimer's Awareness Month.

In our interview Debbie, co-founder and certified Dementia Coach explains that Alzheimer's is the leading type of dementia but that there are many other conditions that fall beneath the umbrella of "dementia" - shown by this image below.

Image from the Alzheimer's Association Website - https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia

Regardless the type of dementia, it can be a very challenging diagnosis and the best thing you can do right away is learn as much as you can to prepare for the progression of the disease. The Alzheimer's Association's website is an excellent place to start even if Alzheimer's is not the official diagnosis.

The next question we were asked was how to maintain a meaningful relationship with your loved one who has Alzheimer's or another form of dementia? Debbie suggests three main ideas that apply not only to primary caregivers but anyone who interacts with someone who has dementia.

1. See life through their eyes

   It is important to slow down and try to understand what they are going through. Get in their world and figure it out together when something they are saying or something they are doing isn't making sense to you. They will feel your support and empathy.

   
   

2. Put your relationship above accomplishing a task

   As this disease progresses they will need more help accomplishing daily tasks. It can be demanding, but try to embrace that they are doing the best they can. This is hard. Ask yourself if accomplishing the task can wait, if it can wait then try again later. If the task must be done and it's proving to be a struggle the best advice is to keep trying in different ways. This is also hard. Persistence will only be your friend if you can remain flexible at the same time. Modification in routines, incorporating more of what you know they love or respond to will go a long way.

   
   

3. Search for ways to keep the positive in life

   Dementia robs a person of many things, but it doesn't take away the person's identity. It is still them yet they are different, and you must acknowledge that. Again, modification is key. It may not be possible for your loved one to tend to a garden anymore, but flowers are easy to find (H-E-B sells bundles for $4) and she can still sit and arrange them in a vase. Make that a regular thing so she still has a connection to those things that brought her joy. It can be that simple and still make a huge impact.

We are so appreciative for this opportunity to share information and resources with the community. Click here for our resource page and click here to watch the interview.