5/24/2018 Online Dementia Journal - May 2015

https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1121116710769&format=html&print=true 1/9

Having trouble viewing this email? View it on the Web

Hi, just a reminder that you're receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in Teepa Snow -Positive Approach to Brain Change. Don't forget to add info@teepasnow.com to your address book so we'll besure to land in your inbox! You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails.

Dementia JournalMay 2015

IN THIS ISSUE

Message from Teepa World Perspective: Words do MatterVideo Spotlight L'art des soins liés à la maladie d'Alzheimer: des strategies innovatricesPositive Partner The Pines of Sarasota's Education InstitutePositive Project The Dynamic Dementia ProjectMeditation CommunicationLiving Well - Dementia World News

Aware The World Rocks Against Dementia 2016Knowledgeable Global Dementia Friendly Community IdeasSkilled The Unspooling MindCompetent Dementia Action Alliance - Words Matter

TODAY'S VOICE FOR DEMENTIA Teepa is an advocate for those living with dementia and has made it herpersonal mission to help families and professionals better understand howit feels to be living with dementia related challenges and change. Hercompany, Positive Approach, LLC was founded in 2005 and offerseducation to family and professional care partners all over the world. Hergoal? Making a difference...one mind at a time.

World Perspective: Words Do Matter

by Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA

We Can Only Use What We Know

Around the world, awareness and interest are building in dementia, especially in its mostwidely known form, Alzheimer's Disease. The conversation around dementia is joinedby newcomers, they seem to bring a good bit of baggage and history, as well asmisinformation. For those of us who have been active in the lives of people living withdementia and their care partners, it can be challenging to respond and not react tostatements and points of view that seem archaic or judgmental.

5/24/2018 Online Dementia Journal - May 2015

https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1121116710769&format=html&print=true 2/9

When people refer to those living with dementia as a demented person, sufferer, or aliving vegetable I want to shake my head in frustration. On top of that, I often hearphrases such as "It's the family caregivers who really suffer, the person with dementiadoesn't even know what's happening" or "has yours gotten to the violent stage yet? They all do." Some people try to dismiss the warning signs of dementia, saying "she'sjust pleasantly confused."

All of these labels and phrases cause my amygdala (my primitive survival -Fight/Flight/Fright) to go on HIGH alert and I want to react! Instead, I pause and takedeep cleansing breaths, reminding myself that in order to respond and be effective, Ineed to fully understand their perspective and point of view. Only then can I connectand guide them to new possibilities (awareness), new ways of thinking (knowledge), andnew ways of speaking and acting (skills) to help change what is to what is possible.

Each time I interact with a person living with any form of neurocognitive change(dementia) or stressed out care providers and family members, I prepare myself for theconversation. In the same way, I try to use reflective and supportive communicationstrategies in all my conversations so that I can help people grow and learn in a way thatis meaningful to them. When we are first exposed to a new situation we tend to fall backon the limited advice we have seen or heard in the past.

Statement from a well-meaning political leader: "Since pretty much all demented people will become violent at some point and needprofessional care on locked units, I am in support of guidelines and regulations thatallow family members to fast track placements to make it easier for everyoneinvolved."

I try to actively listen, to use reflective andsupportive communication strategies to exploremore completely what they 'mean' when theymake such statements. Where have they comefrom to get to these beliefs and attitudes? Whohas shaped their thinking and actions? As theother person is talking and sharing, I encouragemyself to be truly curious about them and theirposition. My response goes something like this:

"Sounds like you are really concerned aboutthe welfare and care of the people in your district, and you are committed to helpingthem. Tell me about the 'violence' that would trigger the 'fast track' to placement..."

I try to explore all the pieces of the statement, the idea and beliefs they offer. I want toappreciate why that speaker thinks what they think, why they say what they say, whatthey want to do. When I think and feel I 'get them', I typically offer a summarizingstatement or comment that involves both an emotional but also factual piece that pullstogether all the data they offered to me. My goal is to make sure I get their point of viewand that they know that I get it.

This is equally important when listening to a family caregiver who needs a chance toprocess what has happened to them.

Responding to a family caregiver:"Wow, sounds like your mom had a really hard time trying to take care of your dad.It must have been one of the hardest things in the world to be trying to deal with himbeing in jail for domestic abuse, while you were getting your mom treated for abroken arm. And then to find out she'd broken her arm before and didn't want theneighbors to know. Flying in like that from out of town on a Friday afternoon! I hatethat you had to go through all that alone and unsupported. And then getting push-back from the legal system regarding her dementia - I can't imagine what that did toyou and your parents!"

When I offer this, I am prepared to help the person GRIEVE - to move from a state ofdenial (it's about my own experience - not just about others), through anger (I hate whathappened, how and why it happened), across bargaining (typically trying to apply aquick fix - one that won't actually work), and sadness (allowing the person to let go ofbargaining/anger/denial and move on). The ultimate goal of the grieving process isacceptance, and after truly listening, I can acknowledge that it is HARD.

5/24/2018 Online Dementia Journal - May 2015

https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1121116710769&format=html&print=true 3/9

Bottom line for me. Words do matter! What is said, and just as importantly, how and whyit is said are crucial!

Daughter of a parent in early stage dementia: "It was one of the worse nights of my life! My dad hated me! My mom hated me! Ihad just flown in after getting emergency calls from the hospital, and dad at the jail.I had no idea it had gotten that bad. I had major commitments on Monday and all Iwas getting was push back and resistance. It just about broke me! This shouldn'thappen to people. It's just not right".

My response:"I absolutely agree, this situation shouldn't happen to anyone! No one should gothrough this, like that! Not you, your mom, or your dad!"

Then and only then, will I be able to offer some NEW idea or option.

"So what do you think might have been different if your dad's changing abilities hadbeen picked up and documented by his health care provider? What if your momhad gotten some support and guidance on how to work with him and the changes inhis independence?"

I then pause and allow for feedback.

"I'm just wondering if some of the violence could have been avoided if the drivingissue had been addressed earlier and by someone other than your mom. Imaginehaving driven all your life and suddenly being confronted about your ability to drive?I'm guessing they were on their way out, and she was trying to keep him fromdriving."

For those of us who live with dementia in our lives, but as far as we know, not in ourbrains, we will always have the option to CHOOSE - try to build a bridge and invite thoseon the 'other side' across, or to build a wall to keep them out. Which will it be? When weare proactive rather than reactive we can respond appropriately and help our loved onesbefore and during their transitions.

For those who live with dementia inside, the choice is not always available, and pain and'threat' of words can cause immediate reactions that can be strong and overwhelming. Inthose moments of great frustration, distress, fear, anger, it is essential that those whoare able, use awareness, knowledge, and skill to connect, to reflect, to explore, and thenif needed and invited, help deliver messages so that both parties can talk with oneanother, not just at one another.

The goal is to appreciate each person's perspective, so that there is a possibility and wecan all move forward in a more mutually beneficial way, becoming a world united ratherthan divided. Because, until there is a cure there is care! And how we deliver carematters to each and every one of us, wherever our home is throughout the world.

Video Spotlight: L'art des soins liés à la maladied'Alzheimer: des strategies innovatricespresented by the Alzheimer Society Montreal and Teepa Snow

Teepa's training is now available in French

Produced by the Alzheimer Society Montreal, renowned dementia care expert, TeepaSnow, teaches how a person with dementia perceives the world and how care partnerscan change and adapt their own behavior to improve communication and quality of lifefor everyone involved. This french dubbed 5 hour training offers profound insight intoperson-centered care techniques that professionals and family members can use to"make a difference." Note: This title is not available in English.

À l'invitation de la Société Alzheimer de Montréal, Teepa Snow, réputée spécialiste des

5/24/2018 Online Dementia Journal - May 2015

https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1121116710769&format=html&print=true 4/9

troubles cognitifs, montre comment lespersonnes atteintes perçoivent le mondeainsi que comment les proches aidants etles professionnels de la santé peuventadapter leur approche pour favoriser unemeilleure communication et améliorer laqualité de vie de chacun. Interprétée enfrançais, cette formation de cinq heuresexamine en profondeur les techniques desoins centrés sur la personne.

Fondée en 1981, la Société Alzheimer deMontréal est un organisme à but non lucratifqui vise à alléger les conséquencessociales et personnelles de la maladied'Alzheimer et des maladies apparentéesainsi qu'à promouvoir la recherche de leurscauses et de leur traitement.

Visit the Care Store to order this DVD and other training tools.

Positive Partner: The Pines of Sarasota's Education Institute

by Joann Westbrook, Director of Education PAC Approved Trainer During my 20 years as a Nursing Home and Assisted Living Administrator I witnessed,first hand, the dire need for quality dementia training and Geriatric care classes. That'swhy, in 2007, I created the Pines Education Institute to help the families and staffstruggling with the demands of caring for someone with this disease. Partnering withprofessors and doctors, I developed training modules in the area of dementia andParkinson's disease. The following year, I saw Teepa Snow for the first time at the Florida Health CareAssociation (FHCA) Conference. I was so impressed with her approach, knowledge andpresentation style that I asked her to come to speak in Sarasota. When she did, theaudience was blown away by her no-nonsense, yet immensely kind and effectivecaregiving skills. They responded overwhelmingly with gratitude and a desire to learnmore.

Teepa Snow's Positive Approach™ to Care embodies the art and science of person-oriented, high quality dementia care. She changes the world bit-by-bit, caregiver-by-caregiver, every single day.

As so many of you know, leaving your loved one with dementia to attend classes can bea huge challenge in itself. To enable caregivers to learn on their own time from thecomfort of their home, Teepa and I agreed to film her workshops and develop a series ofDVDs to provide a readily available resource for comprehensive dementia education.

So began our amazing journey with our first DVD "It's All in Your Approach." Thefeedback was incredible! Learning how a person with dementia perceives theirenvironment and how to best communicate accordingly enables caregivers to "seethings from the other side". Due to the overwhelming need for hands-on skills andinformation we filmed "The Art of Caregiving." We now have 14 titles that address themost pressing needs of caregivers worldwide.

Within a short time, I began making more and more trips to the post office, mailing DVDsto caregivers wanting to learn more. The demand for Teepa's DVDs became trulyoverwhelming, so I was very fortunate to have Valerie Feurich become part of theEducation Institute. Valerie's expertise is in "the online world," particularly connecting aproduct or service to those who could benefit. She introduced some of the videos byposting clips on YouTube, making the DVDs available on multiple platforms across theworldwide web. We have shipped DVDs to caregivers in 29 countries, and the demandfor quality education resources is ever increasing. In response, we expanded oureducational outreach by adding webinars and DVD streaming for in-home caregivers

5/24/2018 Online Dementia Journal - May 2015

https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1121116710769&format=html&print=true 5/9

and professionals.

Valeria Feurich (left) and Joann Westbrook (right) with their distribution map. Here in Sarasota, at our own senior care campus, Teepa trained 23 staff members in allfour levels of her certification program to ensure the highest levels of care. We nowhave coaches throughout our campus that spread Teepa's Positive Approach™ to Care.Using my skills as a PAC Approved Trainer, I lead classes that enable all new Pinesstaff to improve their caregiving skills by teaching them Teepa's techniques.

I am so grateful to have met Teepa Snow. Her unrivaled skills and passion for peopleaffected by this heart wrenching disease are helping thousands of folks, worldwide. Ithas been an honor assisting her in this endeavor, and I'm excited about what is yet tocome. Order DVDs from the Pines Education Institute's Dementia Care Academy

Become a PAC Approved Trainer

The Trainer certification program is designedfor individuals who wish to learn to train othersin Teepa Snow's Positive Approach™ to Care(PAC) philosophy, providing dementia relatedawareness, knowledge and skill developmentin a classroom, community or support groupsetting. PAC Approved Trainers are providedwith workshop outlines and an educationlicense to train others using PAC materials.

Learn More

Upcoming opportunities:

Everett, WA - July 7, 2015

Lafayette, CA - July 21, 2015

Lexington, KY - July 9, 2015 Des Moines, IA - July 25, 2015

London, UK - August 19, 2015

5/24/2018 Online Dementia Journal - May 2015

https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1121116710769&format=html&print=true 6/9

Positive Project: the Dynamic Dementia Project by Jay Jones, United Kingdom

Teepa and the Positive Approach Team have been working intensively with SharedSyndicate (UK) and other partners from around the world to develop the DynamicDementia Project.

Shared Syndicate's attendance at the World Health Organization First MinisterialConference on Dementia further confirmed the need for such a project, one that takesa creative approach towards the condition. The brain itself, being creative in nature,needs both a scientific and creative approach in order to fully embrace, deepen, anddevelop the current understanding of dementia.

The project will take individuals on a journey through various creative mediums to helpraise awareness, build resources, and further education.

Dynamic Dementia Project

For more information, visit the newly launched Shared Syndicate Website

Join Us - Get involved - Share this with a friend!

MEDITATION: Communication

"Take advantage of everyopportunity to practice yourcommunication skills so that whenimportant occasions arise, you willhave the gift, the style, thesharpness, the clarity, and theemotions to affect other people."

-Jim Rohn

Living Well...Dementia World News

5/24/2018 Online Dementia Journal - May 2015

https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1121116710769&format=html&print=true 7/9

AWAREThe World Rocks Against Dementia 2016 Plans for the world's biggest dementia awareness event are underway. Norman 'Norrms'McNamara, founder of the Purple Angel movement, has announced three acts who willbe performing at the 2016 World Rock Against Dementia day on March 19, and hehopes the event will be a worldwide spectacular. Norrms said:

"We would like to hold the world's biggest dementia awareness raising event. Wehave called this the World Rock Against Dementia Event but as you know 'rock' isjust a cool word for any type of music which can be played. On March 19, 2016, nomatter where in the world you are at any event you can organize. We already havesix or seven different countries involved in this and really want to get as manycharities, organizations, venues and bands to join in with this as possible. ReadMore

Get involved by joining the movement on Facebook!

KNOWLEDEGABLEGlobal Dementia Friendly Communities Many communities around the globe are coming together to support those living withdementia through development and education. We applaud their efforts for not onlycreating these programs but for asking those living with dementia to participate in thedevelopment process. Bravo!

Dementia Friendly Cinema - Newcastle, United Kingdom

From July 2015, Tyneside Cinema will be running a series of regular daytime filmscreenings for people with dementia and their carers and families and we areseeking input from these people, in particular, to help develop our approach.

The Dementia Friendly Cinema project was initiated by the Elders Council ofNewcastle who also provided seed funding to start the project. It has beendeveloped and informed by a steering group which includes the Elders Council,Tyneside Cinema, Alzheimer's Society, Newcastle Carers, Dementia Care,Newcastle Quality of Life Partnership and Newcastle University's Institute forAgeing. Read More

Dementia Friendly Grocery Store- Eau Claire, Wisconson A local grocery store is now the first in the area be certified dementia friendly.

Festival Foods has been certified by the Aging and Disability Resource Center asdementia friendly. Read more

Dementia Friendly City - Bruges, Belgium

5/24/2018 Online Dementia Journal - May 2015

https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1121116710769&format=html&print=true 8/9

Shop-owners in the Belgian city make their customers with dementia feel welcome.What can UK towns and cities learn from its approach, embraced by businesses,communities and council? Read More

Dementia Friendly Students - New Westminster, British Columbia

A new dementia-awareness group has launched in New Westminster - but notwhere you might expect. Instead of organizing out of a seniors centre, like Century House, the Initiative forNeuroscience and Dementia (IND) is based out of New Westminster SecondarySchool across the street, and its members are all teens. Read More

Act on Alzheimer's has a great resource page for building Dementia Friendly

Communites. Please visit their page for more info.

SKILLED The Unspooling Mind

In a special one-hour presentation, 16x9 takes you inside the world of dementia on threecontinents. In the Netherlands, a village inhabited entirely by dementia patients. Then, ahusband's emotional decision to leave his wife to be cared for in Thailand. And inCanada, Global National's very own Dawna Friesen opens up about her family and itsbattle with dementia. For more info, please visit the 16x9 website.

The Unspooling Mind

COMPETENT

News from the Dementia Action Alliance

5/24/2018 Online Dementia Journal - May 2015

https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1121116710769&format=html&print=true 9/9

The terms and words people use matter. Some words andphrases are derogatory and stigmatizing. In the 1960's it washailed as progressive when changes in the law led to the use ofthe term "mental retardation" instead of the words "idiot" and"moron" that had been words used. Times change and in 2010Rosa's Law was passed to replace the term "mental retardation"with "intellectual disability".

While times have changed for dementia, many of the words andphrases that are widely used today have not changed and areoutdated, stigmatizing, and disrespectful. Often people livingwith dementia, including Alzheimer's, are called "patient,""victim," "demented," and "sufferer" - and the condition is calleda "dementing illness" and an "affliction." This type of language

can make a tremendous impact on how people living with dementia feel aboutthemselves, and how they are treated and considered by others. Using appropriatelanguage is respectful, supportive, and non-discriminatory. Read More

HELP OTHERS LIVE WELL

If you know someone working or living with dementia who might benefit from the teachings ofTeepa Snow, please forward this to them now. Be knowledgeable. Be prepared. Be positive. If this journal was helpful to you, we would appreciate your feedback. Please share yourcomments and further interest with us.

STAY CONNECTED

Visit our website for resources and program offerings!

Teepa Snow - Positive Approach to Brain Change, PO Box 430, Efland, NC 27243

SafeUnsubscribe™ {recipient's email}

Forward this email | Update Profile | About our service provider

Sent by techadmin@teepasnow.com in collaboration with

Try it free today