While any illness in the later years of life can cause emotional turmoil for family members, none seems to cause as much anguish as dementia.

Relationships are never the same. The loss of memory and rational thinking skills disrupts the person's ability to socialize in the same way, to reminisce or plan for the future, and even to recognize spouses and children.

The focus on these lost competencies, however, ignores the skills that are retained. These retained abilities offer opportunities for connection and fulfillment. The way we communicate with a person living with the brain changes of dementia must change for it to be successful. Social interactions and enjoying beauty in the world are not only possible, but a necessary component of dementia care.

This episode looks at five broad categories of understanding that will empower both the person with dementia and the people who provide support and care. The skills of dementia caregiving are not obvious. They require learning and practice. But a better, if different, life with dementia is worth putting in the effort to acquire the skills.