Hydration Hacks: 7 Creative Ways to Drink More Water
For a person living with dementia, staying hydrated can be a major challenge. They may no longer recognize the sensation of thirst, they might forget to drink, or they may have swallowing difficulties that make drinking water difficult. This is a serious concern, as dehydration can quickly lead to increased confusion, urinary tract infections (UTIs), […]
Mealtime Strategies & Dealing with Dysphagia in Dementia
For a person with dementia, the simple act of eating can become overwhelming. Changes in the brain can affect everything from taste and smell to the ability to recognize food or even swallow safely. As a care partner, understanding these challenges is the first step toward creating a more positive and successful mealtime experience. This […]
Dementia-Friendly Home Design: A Comprehensive Checklist
Is Your Home a Safe Haven or a Field of Obstacles? For a person living with dementia, a familiar home can suddenly feel like a confusing and dangerous place. Changes in perception, balance, and memory can turn everyday objects into hazards. Creating a dementia-friendly environment isn’t about building a new house; it’s about making thoughtful […]
Navigating Family Conflict: When Dementia Becomes a Family Crisis
When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, it doesn’t just change the life of the person living with the condition; it shifts the entire family ecosystem. During my six plus years helping support three family members, I saw how a crisis could either pull a family together or tear it apart. For a global […]
The Art of Saying No: A Strategist’s Guide for Care Partners
In the world of dementia care, the “asks” never stop. They come from family members who aren’t in the trenches, from medical systems that expect you to be a full-time coordinator, and even from the loved one you are caring for. Saying “yes” to everyone else can become a slow way of saying “no” to […]
Self-Care for the Global Care Partner: Moving from Martyrdom to Sustainability
When you are caring for a loved one with dementia, your own needs often fall to the bottom of an endless to-do list. Whether you are navigating the healthcare system in the United States, the UK, or anywhere else in the world, the weight of the “long goodbye” is a universal experience. During my six […]
GPS Trackers for Wandering: A Care Partner’s Guide to Safety and Peace of Mind
For those living with dementia, the urge to “go home” or “go to work” can lead to wandering, even in familiar neighborhoods. During my six + years of caregiving, I learned that while we want to encourage independence, we must balance it with safety. GPS tracking technology has evolved to become a discreet, effective tool […]
Better Sleep and Reduced Anxiety: Can Grounding Sheets Help with Dementia?
Sleep disturbances and “sundowning” are among the most exhausting challenges for both people living with dementia and their caregivers. In my own home, I have seen how quality of sleep directly impacts mood and cognitive clarity. Through my research into natural wellness and personal experience with my fiancée, who tracked a noticeable improvement in her […]
Peace of Mind in Your Pocket: Using Blink AI Cameras for Dementia Care
In my over six years of caregiving, one of the greatest sources of anxiety was the “unknown.” Whether I was in another room or running a quick errand, the fear of a fall or a sudden episode of confusion was constant. During my journey with my uncle, stepfather, and grandmother, I discovered that smart technology […]
The Ethics of Therapeutic Fibbing: When Comfort Outweighs the Truth in Dementia Care
For anyone raised on the principle that “honesty is the best policy,” caregiving for a loved one with dementia presents a painful moral paradox. During my six+ years as a caregiver for three family members, I faced this dilemma constantly: Do I tell the truth and cause immediate emotional trauma, or do I “fib” to […]