Blogs
Using the CARES® Approach for Daily Activities
For people with dementia, everyday tasks can become challenging. Familiar items like a toothbrush or comb can cause confusion, and performing routine activities may feel
Making Dementia Care Easier with the CARES Approach
The CARES approach by Healthcare Interactive is a structured method for person-centered dementia care. It stands for Connect, Assess, Respond, Evaluate, and Share, forming the
Impact of the Pandemic on Dementia Care
COVID-19 has significantly changed how we provide care, especially for people living with dementia. It’s a tough time for everyone, but the challenges are even
Keeping People with Dementia Safe and Thriving
You are an important part of creating a safe environment for those you care for. Safety isn’t just about physical spaces—it includes emotional well-being and
Dementia and Elder Abuse
If you have tried everything to understand a person’s behavior but still feel uneasy, elderly abuse in dementia could be the cause. As Alzheimer’s disease
Change Your Approach and the Environment
As you know, dementia leads to confusion and affects how well people can manage things, which then influences their behavior. Since people with dementia can’t
What Does Your Behavior Communicate?
A Person living with dementia may struggle to understand the words you say, but they will understand How you communicate—the tone of your voice, your
Dealing with Challenging Behaviors in Dementia Care
Caring for someone with dementia involves understanding a variety of behaviors, such as repeating phrases, hoarding items, or wandering. These behaviors and others are normal
Understanding Nonverbal Communication in Dementia
Understanding non-verbal communication is essential when working with people living with dementia. Nonverbal communication refers to how we use body language, facial expressions, gestures, tone
Responding to “I Want to Go Home” in Dementia Care
Understanding the Situation People living with dementia often express a desire to “go home,” even when they are in a place they consider their home.
What is “Real” to the Person Living with Dementia?
Dementia patients often have a “sense of reality” that differs from our own. However, what does this actually mean for the way you treat the
Common Causes of Behavioral Changes in Dementia
There are often multiple reasons behind a single behavior. Some common causes of dementia related behavior changes include: • Physical discomfort (such as feeling hungry,
Getting to Know the Person Behind the Dementia
To truly understand people living with dementia and their behavior, you must first get to know them. You need to learn what is typical and
Observing and Connecting with Purpose in Dementia
Getting to know the person and building a connection is key to understanding their behavior. By observing their actions closely, you can find behavior clues
Alzheimer’s Care: Antipsychotic Medications
Some of the people you care for may be taking antipsychotic medications. These are meant to treat serious mental illnesses (SMI) like major depression, bipolar
Understanding Dementia Behavior as Communication
Understanding Behavior Dementia changes how people think and understand their surroundings. As time goes on, it becomes harder for them to process and respond to
Alzheimer’s Disease and Depression
The Alzheimer’s Association reports that many people with Alzheimer’s disease also experience depression, particularly in the early and middle stages. There is treatment available, it’s
Alternatives of Alzheimer’s medications
The first approach to dealing with dementia-related behavior should not involve medication. There are many alternatives those’re worth considering. These choices may make the person
Current Alzheimer’s Medications
Some of the people you care for might be taking medication for Alzheimer’s. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two types of
The Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is commonly described in three stages- early, middle, and late. The symptoms vary depending on the stage, and not everyone experiences the same
Alzheimer’s Disease and Types of Dementia
Dementia encompasses over 200 conditions characterized by cognitive decline, with Alzheimer’s disease accounting for 60-80% of cases. Together, Alzheimer’s and related progressive dementias are referred
How Dementia Affects Thinking Skills
Dementia affects different parts of the brain in different ways, and symptoms don’t follow a set order. Understanding these thinking skills can help you notice
Understanding Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
What is Dementia? Dementia is a broad term used to describe the loss of memory and other cognitive abilities severe enough to interfere with daily
Introduction to Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are complex conditions that affect millions of individuals and their families worldwide. Understanding these conditions, their effects, and ways to
Caregiving and Grief
Caring for someone with dementia brings not only physical and mental challenges but also emotional ones, including grief. As a caregiver, whether a family member,
Take Care of Yourself
Caring for someone with dementia can be rewarding, but it’s also demanding and often leads to stress. As a caregiver, it’s crucial to recognize when
Working as a Team
To provide the best care, collaborative dementia care is essential. The most important member of this team is the person living with dementia, at the
The 5-Step CARES Approach
Most people are familiar with the term “person-centered care.” But, how do you make it a part of your daily care routine? CARES Dementia 5-Step
Person-Centered Dementia Care
To provide the best possible care for someone living with dementia, it’s very important to get to know them. Often, the best way to do
Using Person-Centered Care in Your Job
Four important aspects of Person-centered Care There are four important aspects of person-centered care you should know. 1. Get to know the “whole person” Each