Blog — New Dawn Dementia Understandings

In the words of Henry David Thoreau  “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away”.  Most of us h

In the words of Henry David Thoreau “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away”.

Most of us have probably heard this famous quote a time or two in our lives. It’s taught in Philosophy classes and the Humanities. It’s been celebrated, venerated, awarded and applauded and the kick-off quote in our “Thought of the Day” desk calendars. So, why is it so difficult for us to apply this to our understanding of Dementia?

Donna MarentayMarch 23, 2023

There was a time in our history when it was believed that Epileptic seizures were a sign of demonic possession. A time when we believed that blood letting would purge the Humors of the body and cure afflictions. Yes, we can look back and shake our heads at how unbelievable that all seems. We laugh at that now. Yet today, in 2022, we still see videos posted of Persons Living With Dementia portraying them as disheveled, lost, confused, and with the temperment of an affronted hyena, and give the video a “thumbs up”, thanking the video creator/poster for valuable insight.

Donna MarentayApril 23, 2022

INFANTILIZATION As always let me begin by saying it is not my intention to paint all providers of Dementia care with a broad brush.  There are many  corporate entities, smaller providers and home caregivers who are truly get

“Infantilization”. We’ve learned a new word now let’s take a look at the meaning of the word and how we’ve adopted it to restrict, deny and discriminate against Persons Living With Dementia (PLWD).

Donna MarentayFebruary 4, 2022

PERSON CENTERED WHAT? There’s a new buzz-phrase in town.  Person Centered Care.  I’m in favor of the “Person Centered” part of it, but not all phases of Dementia require “care”.  While we have officially assigned 7 sta

PERSON CENTERED WHAT?

There’s a new buzz-phrase in town. Person Centered Care. I’m in favor of the “Person Centered” part of it, but not all phases of Dementia require “care”. While we have officially assigned 7 stages of Dementia, from a practical perspective we group those stages into 3 categories , Mild, Moderate, and Severe. Three stages but only one word to cover it all…Care.

Donna MarentayJanuary 28, 2022

We blame functional loss in persons living with Dementia on their Dementia. Maybe we need to look a little deeper. We are probably most familiar with the work of Maria Montessori as it relates to childhood education, but the principl

We blame functional loss in persons living with Dementia on their Dementia. Maybe we need to look a little deeper.

We are probably most familiar with the work of Maria Montessori as it relates to childhood education, but the principles of Montessori learning are foundational and can be applied to any age group. Embracing a Montessori inspired model of Dementia Care does not relegate adults to childhood status. What it does do is allow us to focus on the strengths which remain in those living with Dementia in a habilitative and positive growth environment. Yes, I used the word “growth” in the same sentence as “Dementia”. It is quite possible to continue to learn and grow while living with Dementia.

Donna MarentayOctober 21, 2021

WHAT WOULD MASLOW SAY? As we delve deeper into the true meaning of Person Centered Care and Habilitative Dementia Care, we’ve come to understand that Dementia does not take away our Human needs. These needs are with us from the time

Donna MarentayOctober 3, 2021

PLEASE LET US NOT FORGET… We hear a lot about the forgetfulness of those living with Dementia. Yes, it is true that Dementia may affect some portions of memory, but it seems we’ve become a bit forgetful ourselves when it comes to our i

We hear a lot about the forgetfulness of those living with Dementia. Yes, it is true that Dementia may affect some portions of memory, but it seems we’ve become a bit forgetful ourselves when it comes to our interactions with those living with Dementia.

Donna MarentaySeptember 7, 2021

See Me - Feel Me - Touch me - Heal Me Can we please stop portraying persons living with Dementia as the living dead? They are not lost from us as so many articles and public Posts suggest. They are here. They are present in our l

Can we please stop portraying persons living with Dementia as the living dead? They are not lost from us as so many articles and public Posts suggest. They are here. They are present in our lives.

Donna MarentayAugust 19, 2021

WHY WE NEED FUNDAMENTAL DEMENTIA AWARENESS EDUCATION FOR ALL What happens when we, as a society do not provide fundamental Dementia Awareness training ? https://youtu.be/pPucNC2AGuU is what happens. This video is disturbing. It captur

What happens when we, as a society do not provide fundamental Dementia Awareness training ? https://youtu.be/pPucNC2AGuU is what happens. This video is disturbing. It captures the arrest of an elderly woman with Dementia, walking to her house with a small bouquet of flowers in her hand.

Donna MarentayMay 21, 2021

WHOSE PROBLEM IS IT ? With the best of intentions and loving hearts we can sometimes crush feelings of self-worth for a person living with Dementia when we punctuate our conversations with corrections to their narratives and disagre

With the best of intentions and loving hearts we can sometimes crush feelings of self-worth for a person living with Dementia when we punctuate our conversations with corrections to their narratives and disagree with their timeline. We mean well, thinking that perhaps a reminder of facts and reorientation to the here and now might just be the magic lifeline to bring them back to our present reality. As if loading them up with facts (not to mention proof of those facts) will weigh them down enough to anchor them to the present. We think we’re helping, but we’re not. When we challenge their reality or timeline what we are actually doing is constantly telling them they are wrong.

Donna MarentayFebruary 26, 2021

Dementia may challenge a person’s cognitive capacity but it does NOT change our basic human needs. There is a positive paradigm shift in Dementia care which has awakened us to the realization that  what we have previously though

Dementia may challenge a person’s cognitive capacity but it does NOT change our basic human needs.

There is a positive paradigm shift in Dementia care which has awakened us to the realization that what we have previously thought of as “negative behaviors related to Dementia”, are at root an outward expression of inner needs which are not being met. We’ve come to understand that these needs exceed our needs for food, clothing and shelter, and include needs of purposefulness, social acceptance, daily success, and security for the future. These are Human needs, not just the needs of those living with Dementia. We all have triggers in our everyday lives; we do not all have the cognitive capacity and filters to sort through the situation at hand and rationalize our way to wellbeing. When those not experiencing cognitive challenges are faced with an annoying situation or feelings of frustration, the capacity to reason and exercise forward thinking help to temper an impending reaction. As Dementia progresses it often dissipates our capacity to reason and think through a situation. The person is often left with a sense of frustration, hopelessness or anger. The reactions by those not cognitively impaired may differ from the outward reactions of those living with Dementia, but the human needs which trigger our reactions are the same. Are all of these needs being met?

Donna MarentayDecember 21, 2020

I recently had the pleasure of being the guest speaker for Jennifer Fink’s Fading Memories Podcast.  The episode (aired May 19, 2020) offers great tips, information, and support for those navigating the challenges of Dementia.&nbs

AN INVITATION TO LISTEN…

Donna MarentayMay 20, 2020

KEEPING IN TOUCH WHEN WE CANNOT TOUCH How do we keep in touch with our loved one living with Dementia when we must maintain social distancing?  It’s an issue which many families, care facilities, and those living with Dementia are

How do we keep in touch with our loved one living with Dementia when we must maintain social distancing? It’s an issue which many families, care facilities, and those living with Dementia are faced with these days. First, let’s remember that Touch is one of five senses or 20% of our sensory awareness. That leaves 80% for us to creatively use to stay in touch when we cannot touch.

Donna MarentayApril 30, 2020

BLOG FAQ CONTACT Why Become a Certified Dementia Practitioner ? The National Plan to address Alzheimer’s Disease and other types of Dementia care, which went into effect in 2012, seeks to address the issue of National Standards of

The National Plan to address Alzheimer’s Disease and other types of Dementia care, which went into effect in 2012, seeks to address the issue of National Standards of Care. The Program offered, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Seminar, approved by the National Counsel of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP), provides ongoing Dementia education which incorporates new advances, cultural change, and innovative ideas, to all Professionals working in this related field of care.

Donna MarentayJanuary 23, 2020

WHAT IS RESPONSIVE BEHAVIOR? As human beings we all have reactions to stimuli and situations which are a response to a given situation.  For those living with dementia their reactions are called “behaviors” rather than responses.&

As human beings we all have reactions to stimuli and situations which are a response to a given situation. For those living with dementia their reactions are called “behaviors” rather than responses. This needs to change. Our human need for reassurance, attention, purpose, security, social contact, and self-esteem do not change with dementia. It is not ok to assume that a person living with dementia is responding a certain way “because they have dementia, and therefore there is nothing we can do”. There is an unmet need at the root cause of their response.

Donna MarentayJanuary 16, 2020

IT’S THE DISEASE NOT THE PERSON If you’ve met one person living with Dementia, you’ve met exactly one. The progression of symptoms associated with Dementia vary greatly from person to person. Symptoms associated with certain “stages”

If you’ve met one person living with Dementia, you’ve met exactly one. The progression of symptoms associated with Dementia vary greatly from person to person. Symptoms associated with certain “stages” of Dementia may present early in some, or not at all in others. Whatever the stage or severity of the symptoms it is most important to separate the Disease from the person.

Donna MarentayJanuary 1, 2020Comment