Presenter: Dorothy Colby, Hale Kū‘ike Director of Community Engagement & Positive Approach to Care® Trainer
Date: 9/3/20
Recording length: 1 hour
Sponsors: Hale Kū‘ike and Catholic Charities Hawai‘i
Description:
- You are noticing brain changes in someone you are caring for, is it dementia?
- What does normal healthy brain aging look like?
- How can we better connect with and support those we care for who are living with dementia?
As we age, we all experience physical changes, including changes to our brains. With normal healthy aging, it may take us a bit longer to remember a name or to learn a new skill. Normal aging means slowing down a bit, NOT losing function!
Dementia is NOT a part of normal healthy aging. Dementia is the umbrella term for a group of symptoms caused by diseases or brain damage. It generally includes a loss of memory, problem-solving, language and other cognitive skills that are severe enough to interfere with daily living and independent life. There are over 50 different diseases that can cause dementia. The most common are Alzheimer’s Disease, vascular dementia (strokes), Lewy Body dementia, Frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, and alcoholism. All the dementia-causing diseases damage brain cells, cause brain shrinkage, and lead to a loss of brain wiring. The entire brain is affected, not just the memory center. These brain changes are irreversible, progressive, and eventually terminal.
While there may be no cure for dementia, there are care techniques and approaches that can make a positive difference for the person living with dementia, and their care partners. Using the Positive Approach to Care® (PAC) philosophy and techniques can make it possible for someone to live well with dementia.
If we can understand the brain changes that come with dementia, we can come as close as possible to seeing the world through their eyes and understand the challenges of living with dementia. We can understand and focus on what skills remain, not just what is lost. PAC skills can help us change our impulsive reactions into thoughtful responses that improve everyone’s quality of life.
People who are living with dementia are doing the best they can every moment of the day. We need to remember which one of us in this relationship has the healthy aging brain! We are the ones who can be flexible, learn new skills, and build a support team for ourselves and the person we love.
To learn more about normal aging, dementia and PAC skills, you can view our recorded webinar, “Normal vs. Not Normal Aging — Understanding the Difference. You can also download the workshop slide deck and PAC Resource Cards.
For more information about PAC, visit www.teepasnow.com.