Dementia By Day: Recent Episodes
Rachael Wonderlin
Rachael Wonderlin tackles common challenges in dementia caregiving and seeks to make everyone a better care partner and professional by promoting education and empathy. Rachael has a Master’s in Gerontology and owns Dementia By Day, a dementia care consulting firm. She is the author of "When Someone You Know is Living in a Dementia Care Community," and a second book, "Creative Engagement," both published by Johns Hopkins University Press. You can find her on Instagram @dementiabyday and download her “16 Things I’d Want If I Got Dementia” list from rachaelwonderlin.com
Let us help you this holiday season! You may have family members in town interacting with your loved one for the first time in a while. Maybe Mom has declined, or Dad is more forgetful, or your spouse may not be as verbal as they used to be. You've learned a lot about dementia recently, and educating your entire family on best practices in dementia care is a lot to put on yourself. Let us help! Share some of our content with your family and loved ones so they can gain a better understanding about how to communicate living with dementia.
Finally, remember to manage your expectations. It's okay for things to be imperfect.
This time of year, we get lots of questions from family caregivers about how to approach the holidays with a loved one living with dementia. There are a few things you can do to minimize stress: plan ahead, talk to your family members, and make sure you have a clear understanding of your loved one's abilities at the current stage of their disease process. You can definitely still enjoy this holiday together. Let's talk about it.
Embracing Their Reality™️ is hardest to grasp for those folks who are uncomfortable in the grayer areas of life. This dementia communication framework teaches us that it's best to let go of black and white binaries when it comes to communicating with the cognitively impaired. Let's talk about it.
It's actually been a full year of Freebies of the Month now, but they're still going strong!
Topics have ranged from "How Do Doctors Test for Dementia?" to Sundowning, and have covered so much in between. At the time of this recording, our Freebies of the Month were just getting started. We decided to release this episode to ensure all segments of our audience know about this awesome free resource we offer— along with the paid ones we have in our shop!
This was recorded a while back when we still had our Family Support Group, and our Caregiver Crash Course was $55 (it is now $59).
The $7 course is also available— and yes, it's still only $7!
Let's continue the conversation around accusations. These can feel like a trap to those of us who work so hard to Embrace The Reality of the people in our lives living with dementia. Don't fall into the trap! Instead, focus on solving the person's emotional problem by trying to figure out what is at the root of it.
Rather than arguing, ask questions and try to guide them to calm. Rachael gives a great example as to how to do exactly that in this latest episode of the Dementia By Day Podcast.
When it comes to Embracing Their Reality™️ in dementia care, some of the most challenging and uncomfortable situations come from accusations. You might be thinking: "How can I Embrace Their Reality when they're accusing me of stealing money or cheating on them?"
These two awful accusations are unfortunately two of the most common lobbed at caregivers by people living with dementia. Despite this, we still don't want to disregard the reality of the person living with dementia when they say something like this. If you argue, the person is likely to dig in their heels.
You can still solve their emotional problem when they accuse you or someone else of something. Let's talk about it.
The Dementia By Day Team interviewed Dawna Duke about the keychains she's creating, which are programmed to share emergency contact information with the tap of your phone.
As easily as you set up and use the "tap to pay" function on your smart phone, you can program Near-Field Communication (NFC) chips with important information like an emergency contact phone number. Dawna has taken this practical tool a step further and created keychains programmed with this information (mostly for children) to sell on Etsy as part of her business, STEMScapeCollab.
Although Dawna, who has a PhD in Education Policy, originally developed these for children like her own daughter, she sees limitless potential for NFC chips, and the Dementia By Day Team shared how this tool could impact the lives of people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Check out Dawna's keychains on the STEMScapesCollab Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/STEMSCAPESCOLLAB
Follow STEMScapesCollab on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stemscapescollab/?hl=en
Rachael and Natalie of the Dementia By Day Team had a really interesting conversation with Sori Han, the inventor of and mastermind behind Shopazon!
Shopazon is a unique website for people living with dementia in which they can experience "shopping" without spending any money.
In this episode, Sori shares other dementia-friendly websites and apps he is ideating and working on, and the team discusses why these types of experiences are so enriching for people living with dementia.
Check out Shopazon: https://shopazon.vercel.app/shop
Buy Sori a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/sorihan
Check out the Reddit post about Shopazon and engage with Sori: https://www.reddit.com/r/dementia/comments/1mnzy00/made_a_fake_shopping_app_for_dementia_care_what/
We are exactly one month away from the one-year anniversary of our short film's release! In this mini podcast episode, Rachael Wonderlin talks about the inspiration behind Dementia By Day's short film, "Embracing Their Reality." She talks about why the Dementia By Day team decided to make this as narrative as possible, instead of a straightforward how-to guide. The film walks the line of storytelling and education, with a story about a father and daughter at the center.
If you haven't seen the film, it's available on YouTube. We hope you watch it and that it resonates with you!
When you come across an article about a so-called study that claims X thing "cures" or "causes" dementia, ask yourself one critical question before researching any further: Is this claim measurable?
In order to be scientifically valid, studies need to consistently prove that they have measured the same results over and over. A small sample set of case studies and anecdotal evidence does not add up to a valid scientific claim.
In this episode, Rachael Wonderlin gives some examples of "studies" that make claims that are not so measurable, as a reminder to listeners to stay wary of bold, psuedo-scientific claims.
We aren't big fans of "sensory" items/boxes/walls in dementia care. Even though the intention behind these programming items is great, they are often difficult to introduce and residents aren't sure how to interact with them. Listen to find out what we suggest to replace these types of activities!
These are activities that Rachael Wonderlin, founder and CEO of Dementia By Day, recommends for anyone living with dementia, but they are particularly well-suited to people with low vision. Rachael encourages you to get creative engaging your other senses and offers a couple of concrete ideas to get you started in this niche of activities.
This is what you’re going to do when you’re deciding to make— or not make— a change to your loved one’s care. Should you make this change, especially if it's drastic? The answer is ultimately, “It depends.” It depends on the person and how much their quality of life would improve (benefit) for the inconvenience, or even trauma, it would cause (cost). Let’s weigh the cost against the benefits in a specific example and talk about how there’s no “right” answer. Ultimately, you can only the best you can do for your loved one, and writing out the cost and benefits in two columns can help you figure out how to move forward with the right decision for your loved one.
Even if you move your loved one to a dementia care community, you are still their caregiver, the person who is responsible for them. Though the responsibilities may shift, the "buck stops with you," as the expression goes. Let's talk about it.
What is a "sitter" and does your loved one living with dementia need one? Let's talk about it.
In this episode, Rachael breaks down considerations you should make when weighing whether or not to hire a sitter for your loved one living with dementia. She discusses options that are worth trying first before resorting to hiring a sitter, and cases in which a sitter is likely the best next step for your loved one.
In this bite-sized episode, Rachael also discusses what to do if your loved one lives in an assisted living community and the community suggests a sitter.
Let's dive in!
After 45 happy years together, Janice noticed that her life partner Sue had begun to repeat herself. "What do you want for dinner?" she'd ask. Then, a few minutes later, she'd say again, "What do you want for dinner?" As it turns out, Sue has Alzheimer's. Janice and Sue were recently featured in Matter of Mind, a PBS documentary that follows three pairs of caregivers and their loved ones living with Alzheimer's.
From diagnosis to getting help while caring for Susan at home, listen in on our conversation with Janice as she tells us all about her journey as a caregiver.
Stream the documentary, Matter of Mind, here: https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/matter-of-mind-my-alzheimers/
Whether you live with your loved one with dementia or you visit them in a care community, your time together will probably be most enjoyable if you bring an activity with you for the two of you to do together. This is a great way for you to connect with your loved one! I suggest simple, everyday activities like folding, sorting, or games like finishing lyrics (filling in the blank to famous songs they know).
"They seem fine!" This is the refrain of the folks we at Dementia By Day refer to as the "out-of-towners."
The out-of-towners think they know best and they are very vocal about the care they believe your loved one should receive, but in reality, they are out of touch with what it's like caring for someone living with dementia.
If you have out-of-towners in your life, we hope you find this tip helpful for how to handle your next conversation with them, and we hope you find comfort in knowing you are not alone in dealing with these kinds of situations as a caregiver.
People often ask me how to break the news to their loved one living with dementia that they will be moving to a dementia care community. We NEVER want to say something like, "Mom, we are moving you to dementia care because there is something wrong with your brain," and we especially don't want to add, "remember?!" when they ask about what's going on for the second (or tenth) time.
People living with dementia can't make this decision for themselves and they are usually not aware of their condition (anosognosia), so telling them something like the above is not going to go well. Instead of starting an argument that is sure to upset all sides, try my 3-prong approach to get your loved one to move to dementia care calmly.
My #1 piece of advice when it comes to hospice: Look into it before you think it's time. Don't wait too long, because it's an invaluable resource for people living with dementia and their families.
Listen to learn how someone living with dementia might qualify for hospice.
For family caregivers of people living with dementia, the offerings of the senior living landscape can be super confusing. In this mini episode of the Dementia By Day Podcast, Rachael Wonderlin introduces some of the most common types of care offered in senior living, and explains how these designations can vary widely not only from country to country, but even state to state domestically in the US.
Back when Rachael first started posting content about caring for people with dementia, there were very few people inhabiting this same niche on the internet. Now, there are more and more cropping up every day. In this mini podcast episode, Rachael talks about the importance of double-checking the information you come across on the internet when it comes to caring for your loved one with dementia.
Nomenclature is so important. Listen to why I hate the phrases "therapeutic lying," "fiblets," and "white lies." Embracing Their Reality™️ is about doing what's true for the person living with dementia, NOT lying.
In this mini episode, Dementia By Day CEO Rachael Wonderlin talks about Naomi Feil's Validation Theory for communicating with people living with dementia. Validation Theory contrasts directly with Embracing Their Reality™️ because it teaches to "never lie" to someone living with dementia, and often suggests avoiding certain lines of questioning instead. For example, if someone with dementia asks "Where's my mom?" Validation teaches to answer the person with dementia like this: "It sounds like you miss your mom." This doesn't solve the emotional problem the person with dementia is experiencing. Rachael also discusses the often lesser-known aspects of Validation Theory, which are surprisingly Freudian in nature.
Listen to this mini podcast episode to learn the fundamentals of Timeline Confusion™️.
A common misconception about people living with dementia is that they "don't recognize" their loved ones. In reality, people living with dementia aren't living on a linear timeline. This means that if they believe they themselves are 40, they may not understand why their adult child is older than them (as an example), and have trouble placing loved ones on their timeline.
Welcome to our Mini Podcast season! These are unedited, super short episodes we created for our Patreon audience last year. Now they're available for you to enjoy!
When we spot people posting things like this, they're really taking facts out of context...and typically new to the industry or running out of good content to post! Here's why this doesn't make sense: - Dementia is made up of over 100 different diseases - Many diseases (read: nearly every single disease) has some genetic component - Bad luck is real: you can live a perfectly healthy lifestyle and make all the "right" choices and STILL GET DEMENTIA - Avoiding sugar or whatever all the nonsense, so-called health accounts online these days tell you is NOT a sure-fire way to prevent dementia - Accidents happen: a bad fall, a concussion or a car accident could have an effect on someone's cognitive health
Episode 3 of our Behind the Scenes on Embracing Their Reality, our short film! If you haven't watched it yet, go to embracingtheireality.com or even our YouTube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WovKSfdo5u8
In the interview: Rachael Wonderlin, Natalie De Paz, Jessica Wasserlauf, Emily Naples
Episode 2 of our Behind the Scenes on Embracing Their Reality, our short film! If you haven't watched it yet, go to embracingtheireality.com or even our YouTube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WovKSfdo5u8
In the interview: Rachael Wonderlin, Natalie De Paz, Jessica Wasserlauf, Emily Naples
Episode 1 of our Behind the Scenes on Embracing Their Reality, our short film! If you haven't watched it yet, go to embracingtheireality.com or even our YouTube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WovKSfdo5u8
In the interview: Rachael Wonderlin, Natalie De Paz, Jessica Wasserlauf, Emily Naples
This is the first and only episode of my Mini Podcast series that we'll be uploading to public channels! Want more? Visit our Patreon and sign up for only $5 a month to hear more of these episodes, dropping weekly on our channel! Join today!
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take! Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on how to convice dad he has dementia, in 2023. Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care. Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6YlmWGpFbPHeHuayHefNcA?si=ec729d0f0cf643fb
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take! Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on what if you say the wrong thing, in 2023. Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care. Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6EtGXt3VpPIoFWqEcZFqU4?si=cc50503d92dc4b73
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take! Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on when to move her into memory care, in 2023. Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care. Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2kG9QALP4fmZeFq9BKoYOr?si=62b526718c394d17
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take! Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on why he is having trouble speaking, in 2022. Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care. Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Wk9afwKx2ZBq2CqOR0SsY?si=5ba23b924ddb4e67
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take! Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on how you can convince your brother to let you move mom, in 2022. Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care. Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7CShiPrWg7xm3vcQdMUeMb?si=55fb5ff5ce904948
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take! Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on how to know if you're getting burnt out, in 2023. Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care. Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ZuZPMvdMsXLlTuHtG2kOO?si=5a1333da36e946f9
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take! Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on how do you tell her that her sister died?, in 2022. Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care. Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7sipwrYaeHcYMPgncnBUdo
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take! Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on how to improve dementia care with improv, in 2022. Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care. Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6POfJrGHDtR23oH20QLbyS?si=aa6cb5c44a6b4fe3
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take! Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on if it's a hallucination or a delusion?, in 2022. Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care. Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5CAFLNqEnbAaE8J3W5hx2t?si=d045fda32b184b93
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take! Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on if it's Depression or Dementia?, in 2022. Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care. Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/02lkF22RGAxBW32MYTyDe4?si=b02fb2efe21f4975
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take! Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on what to do when they think they're still working, in 2022. Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care. Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6JnaU9amLNS32lm0cOLPZt?si=f822e81ab4944522
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take! Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on what to do when they think they're still working, in 2022. Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care. Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6JnaU9amLNS32lm0cOLPZt?si=f822e81ab4944522
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take!
Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on the changes, feelings and worries after the dementia care move, in 2022.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6MHoq4jOd5IjiAoUgz447s?si=1eabd418e8bf4dff
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take!
Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on what ambiguous loss really is and why it's important to understand that term, in 2022.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7B7ZyiIXasASgpr5x8aRjr?si=457fbac766204064
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take!
Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on what ambiguous loss really is and why it's important to understand that term, in 2022.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7B7ZyiIXasASgpr5x8aRjr?si=457fbac766204064
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take!
Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on the activities every care partner needs to know, in 2022.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Adel19p1zobAviPhYe9kp?si=a1f237f731854158
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take!
Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on the activities every care partner needs to know, in 2022.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Adel19p1zobAviPhYe9kp?si=a1f237f731854158
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take!
Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on how my 16 Things poem almost disappeared.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/29Bpczs4F8h7MYPSFKKX4n?si=6f28362a35ea4c40
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take!
Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on what the 3 questions you need to ask in dementia caregiving, in 2022.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1OGmLJ14bXfsOh2FvxrpOK?si=869d8aa2a97b473a
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take!
Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on what the 3 questions you need to ask in dementia caregiving, in 2022.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1OGmLJ14bXfsOh2FvxrpOK?si=869d8aa2a97b473a
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take!
Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on what Timeline Confusion™ really is, in 2022.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Von9LSEFepzXDz3fAgtVQ?si=1f316cdee4934319
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take!
Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on what Timeline Confusion™ really is, in 2022.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Von9LSEFepzXDz3fAgtVQ?si=1f316cdee4934319
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take!
Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on what it really means to Embrace Their Reality™, in 2022.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3jLYiH1rtrjKXWTbxwX9Rw?si=5180132830cb4016
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take!
Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on what it really means to Embrace Their Reality™, in 2022.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
Original Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3jLYiH1rtrjKXWTbxwX9Rw?si=5180132830cb4016
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take!
Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on the #1 reason a routine will save you some drama, in 2022.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
Original episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0gGandwz6bRB3y2ZXWd5Eq
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take!
Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on the worst move-ins, in 2022.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
Original episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/32OdyMLRFTF52NZ0jUOHHW
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take!
Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on answering the question of going home, in 2022.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
Original episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1eevWRMMGZ4T8zH1XOo3cF
Hello and welcome to Season 5, the All-Star Season, where I share my favorite episodes from the past...with a fresh take!
Stay for the entirety of this episode to catch my take on mini-reorientation in 2022.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
Original episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/55TUmpAZ433bVedZsUipzf
Hey guys, this is our last episode of season 4! Thank you for joining me on this journey.
“Wanting to go home” is a really common phrase for people living with dementia. ‘Home’ is not so much a place as it is a feeling. I’m sure you can relate to this.
What we don’t want to do is try to convince a person living with dementia that they are already home. Instead, let’s focus on the ‘what’ behind the feeling. The feeling may be that they don’t feel sure, or that they are scared, and just need to be in a place where they are comfortable.
Stay for the entirety of this episode for some tips and advice on this issue!
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
I had many people reaching out to me on Instagram asking about their loved ones doing different kinds of annoying things.
The bottom line is, you may not be able to get them to stop doing these things, at least not completely. Eventually, they will stop doing it, but that would also mean that they have progressed in their dementia.
What we can do is try to solve for what the underlying issue is, which is what is causing this person to act this way in the first place?
Join me in this episode as I share some stories that may help answer this question!
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
I hear this one a lot. This is typically indicative of someone advancing in their dementia.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that the person is in the late stages of their dementia; it could be a result of a lot of causes. It could also mean that the patient is dealing with some depression or that they are taking some medication that makes them sleepy.
Once we rule out the other variables, we do need to consider that their dementia has progressed. We need to be aware of this and not fight it so hard.
Stay for the entirety of this episode for some insight on this!
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
I hear some versions of this question pretty frequently. Having a spouse living with dementia is completely different from having a parent with dementia. The inherent difference in the relationship is what makes it difficult.
The biggest challenge is that previously, this person used to make decisions together with you, and now it’s all up to you. So, how do you keep them involved when they really can’t offer too much on a lot of issues?
I have a few tips on this, so be sure to tune in and learn more about how to navigate this!
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
Incontinence is actually a big reason why a care partner may choose to initiate a move to dementia care. Aside from the fact that it’s an embarrassing issue, it can also turn into a big problem because for some care partners, it may begin suddenly.
The truth of the matter is, there’s no official timeline for incontinence, so there’s no way of telling when (or if) your loved one will be dealing with this issue.
Luckily, more and more adult briefs are becoming normalized in the world of aging in general; and I really appreciate that because it alleviates the stigma around this issue.
Stay for the entirety of this episode for some advice on how to deal with this delicate situation.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
Like I’ve said in past episodes: we can’t convince people living with dementia of anything that’s not in their reality. So, bad news if you are trying to convince them that they have dementia.
Here’s my argument – why would you WANT to? Even if you convince them for a couple of hours that they have dementia, what happens the next day? Are you going to re-convince them? If a person has forgotten that they have a disease, why would we want to remind them?
This goes for similar reminders, like taking them to the cemetery or showing them obituaries. Just. don’t.
Stay for the entirety of this episode for some tips and advice on this issue.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
What’s the difference between lying and Embracing their Reality? I keep hearing people using this phrase incorrectly.
There are a lot of people who consider themselves experts in dementia care communication and they are still telling everybody the same thing that you’ve been hearing for years: Validation, Redirection, Distraction.
And that’s NOT Embracing their Reality™. It’s also not lying when you are doing what’s true for THEM.
Stay for the entirety of this episode where I break down the difference between these two dementia care approaches.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
As you probably know by now, you are not going to be able to convince the person living with dementia that they are no longer capable of handling their own finances.
One of the main things that people will hold on to with all their might is money. No one wants to feel like somebody else is taking control of their financial affairs. But when you are living with dementia and things are being taken away from you, it can be even more overwhelming.
Remember, dementia is not an ask-for-permission group of diseases: You are going to have to take control.
Tune in to learn more about how to navigate this!
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
“What if at some point I say something that completely confuses the person living with dementia? Should I really do this Embracing their reality thing, because what if I embrace the wrong reality and then they get upset?”
Here’s the real deal: you are 100% going to say something you shouldn’t have said. We’ve all done it. Especially if this person is living with you and you spend a lot of time together.
I have a few stories related to this subject, so join me in this episode for some tips on how to deal with it!
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
This is a great question! But, unfortunately, this is a question that most caregivers don’t ask until they are deeply burned out.
Sometimes people don’t give themselves enough space and time to take care of their own things. Actually, I used to be that kind of person until I got more serious in hiring other people to help me with my business because I realized that I can’t do everything myself.
When it comes to taking care of a person living with dementia, the same thing goes – you can’t handle it all by yourself; especially when the person living with dementia starts needing more and more help.
Stay for the entirety of this episode for some tips and advice on how to avoid burnout!
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
‘What if my mom believes something that’s not true, and I keep embracing her reality... won’t that eventually make her more confused?’
You’ve probably already guessed this one, and the answer is NO.
There’s no scientific evidence that letting a person believe they are correct will make them worse. In fact, if you are constantly correcting a person about their beliefs, that actually will be a lot worse.
Stay for the entirety of the episode for some tips and advice on this issue!
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
I get this question all the time! For starters, I don’t like the term “memory care.” Why? Because not all people living with dementia have issues with their memory.
So, how do you know when it’s time?
Don’t wait until they tell you it is time, because...they aren’t going to.
While there’s no official answer to this question, the truth is that if you are thinking about moving your loved one, it's probably time.
I suggest reading my first book, "When Someone You Know is Living in a Dementia Care Community" as a complementary piece to this episode.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
This question is more common than you think, and it’s usually related to doing different tasks around the house that we all take for granted, attributing them to annoying chores we have to do.
However, for someone living with dementia, these little tasks can actually seem difficult and overwhelming.
Why? Well, it’s called task switching.
Task switching is the ability to move from one task to another seamlessly – something we do all the time. But for someone with cognitive impairment, this is a really hard thing to accomplish.
Tune in to learn more about how to navigate this!
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
This one usually comes along with, “Is he going to lose his ability to speak altogether?”
The answer is, like everything else with dementia…maybe.
Aphasia is a communication-related issue that happens when the person loses his ability to communicate verbally. There are different kinds of aphasia and, although it is common in dementia patients, it doesn’t happen to all of them.
Join me while I explore this difficult but common scenario, in this brand new episode!
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
You may not be in this exact situation, but I can guarantee that there’s someone in your life that is not cool with wanting to transition your loved one living with dementia to a dementia care community.
“Don’t you have a caregiver come in a few times? Isn’t that enough?” They are guilting you, but probably not on purpose. They may just be trying to help you go through this situation. But at the end of the day, they are only preventing you from making the right decision that will not only help you but also your loved one.
Stay for the entirety of this episode for some tips and advice on how to deal with this difficult situation.
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
This is a great question because this issue comes up differently for everybody. I’ve had clients who would get in the shower no problem one day, and the following day, it would be a complete battle to get them to get in the shower!
So, why won’t they do these easy tasks that they always used to do? And how can you help them get in the shower in a sensitive way?
Listen to this episode and find out!
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
If you’ve been listening to this podcast for a while, you’ll probably know the answer to this one…
YOU DON’T TELL THEM.
Your loved one may be pretty attached to that house and to the feeling of home that it holds for them, so you can imagine how traumatic it can be to tell them that you sold that house.
Stay for the entirety of this episode for some tips and advice on how to deal with this subject as it will inevitably come up!
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
This is a raw question that I hear pretty often... how do I tell my loved one that somebody in their lives has passed away?
The short answer? YOU DON’T.
I know you may feel like you have to tell them, but think about it for a second: Is it really a good idea to bring your loved one into that whole situation?
Join me while I explore this difficult but common scenario in this brand-new episode!
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
What do you do when a loved one has received the diagnosis of dementia? Who and where do you turn to?
Honestly, most people figure it out on their own… And if you are listening to this podcast, it’s probably because you are looking for a place to start.
Stay for the entirety of the episode for some tips and advice on this issue!
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
This is a question I get asked pretty frequently. Note: If you haven’t listened to last week’s episode about embracing somebody’s reality, I recommend you do; because it all ties together today.
Plenty of people go through the entire course of the disease and are able to place all of their loved ones on their timelines – but sometimes, this doesn’t happen. This is where it seems that they “don’t recognize us anymore.”
Find out more about the ins and outs of Timeline Confusion™ in today’s episode!
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care
Today we are covering an issue that’s a real challenge for people, even those who have been living with a loved one with dementia for a long time.
So, what do you do when someone you are caring for asks a direct question? Do you tell them the truth? Or do you just make something up?
My Embrace Their Reality™ approach can really help you answer these questions. Tune in and find out more!
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
We're back for season 4 of the Dementia By Day podcast!
Today, I’m talking all about how to know if the person I’m caring for actually has dementia. It’s a question I get a lot because there’s a lot of conflicting information out there on what dementia really is. Dementia is a group of symptoms that is caused by different types of diseases. However, there are nearly a hundred diseases that can cause dementia – this makes it really hard to diagnose!
If your loved one is indeed living with dementia, it is much better to catch it early because there are lifestyle changes that can be made to slow the progression of the disease.
So, how do you know? Tune in to find out!
Visit https://rachaelwonderlin.com/products/ for more in Dementia Care.
This is my last episode for a bit! I'm switching back to blogging after 3 seasons of audio, so I hope to see you over on my blog come March!
In this final episode of season 3, we talk about dementia care transitions. What's it like to bring in a home caregiver? What about moving someone to a care community? What's the difference and how can you make these changes as LOW DRAMA as possible?
Use my code DBD10 to get 10% off your purchase at www.alertafamily.com
How we talk about a thing defines that thing. When we use words like "fiblets" or "lies" or even, "therapeutic lying," we undermine the good that we're trying to do as dementia care partners. Why does it matter how we talk about dementia communication? Why is tossing out the word "lying" so important to me, even when it has something nice-sounding like "therapy" in front of it? Tune in to find out.
Use my code DBD10 on your next purchase from www.alertafamily.com
Jump in to this episode on MINI-REORIENTATION and what that all means. To put it simply, I just made that term up. In fact, I made it up back in season one of my podcast, and in today's episode, I tell you WHY. Learn why it's so important to Embrace Their Reality(TM) instead of leaning on reorientation or other poor nomenclature in dementia caregiving.
Check out my sponsor and use the code DBD10 for 10% off at www.alertafamily.com
I've been doing improv comedy for over TEN YEARS (woah) and I absolutely love performing. I've also found that my experience doing improv has made me a better dementia care partner: I'm super fast on my feet and able to adjust to someone else's reality with ease, wherever that reality is. Tune in to find out why skills we learn for stage are applicable in dementia care, as well.
This is also the first episode recorded in my new audio studio!
Thanks to my sponsor, Alerta, who can be found on alertafamily.com and use my code, DBD10 for 10% off.
Hallucinations and Delusions are some of the most difficult situations for families to deal with. People often misconstrue the terms Hallucination and Delusion. On today's podcast I will dissect the difference and guide you on how best to help if a loved one is struggling with one (or both!) Listen for some great insight! My audiobook is a great companion tool to have after this podcast You can purchase it here rachelwonderlin.com/products
Be sure to visit my sponsor, Alerta, at www.alertafamily.com and use the code DBD for 10% off your purchase with them.
In this episode I revisit another difficult situation in Dementia Caregiving. "I want to go home" is the prefect time to Embrace Their Reality (tm). There are some pretty good do's and don't(s) when dealing with this topic and I will share some of the tricks to getting your loved one though their difficult time. Join me on this journey today! My audiobook is a great companion tool to have after this podcast. You can purchase it here rachaelwonderlin.com/products
Be sure to visit my sponsor, Alerta, at www.alertafamily.com and use the code DBD for 10% off your purchase with them.
Did you know that Dementia and Depression are positively correlated? In this week's episode I will explain how Dementia and Depression typically go hand in hand, the importance of not sidelining Depression symptoms when it comes to a loved one with Dementia, and physician guidance and support in diagnosing Depression. I will also explain how closely related Depression and Dementia are in the elderly. Listen in to learn more. My audiobook is a great companion tool to have after this podcast. You can purchase it here at rachaelwonderlin.com/products
Be sure to visit my sponsor, Alerta, at www.alertafamily.com and use the code DBD for 10% off your purchase with them.
Todays episode focuses on what to do when a loved one with Dementia thinks that they still need to go to work. Keeping in mind the Embrace Their Reality (TM) mantra, let them work! Lean into their reality and line it up for them. My audiobook is a great companion tool to have after this podcast. You can purchase it here, rachaelwonderlin.com/products
Be Sure to visit my sponsor, Alerta, at www.alertafamily.com and use the code DBD for 10% off your purchase with them.
What do you do when the person living with dementia clearly needs help, and says, "I don't need your help"! Yet, it is quite clear they do need help to be able to live safely and with the dignity they deserve. What do you do? How do you convince them? Do we really want or need to do that? Is this the best way to manage this situation? It can be so frustrating! Hurtful words can be said on both sides of this issue and I'll share with you ways to provide the care they need without offending your loved one. Let's work with them and not work against ourselves. Tune in and learn more.
After this session you may still find yourself needing help. My audiobook can be on your standby to help. You can purchase it here at Rachaelwonderlin.com/Products.
Be sure to use the code DBD10 with my sponsor to receive 10% off your purchase from Alertafamily.com
When it comes to dementia care, so much is up in the air this time of year. Corona Virus has certainly added a unique twist and added dimension for us to all live with, and manage. When it comes to the holidays, what will this year's festivities and traditions look like? We want things to be perfect. Right? But is this even realistic? We will address guilt and feelings that the holidays can bring upon us. After this podcast episode, I hope you will feel empowered to say NO. I will cover three ways to help and provide tools you will need to help manage the stress and emotions of our holiday season. Sometimes our expectations don't live up to our reality. What now? Listen in and will walk through this dementia care topic. My audiobook is a great addition to have in your journey with dementia care. You can purchase it here at Rachaelwonderlin.com/products.
Be sure to visit my sponsor, Alerta, at www.alertafamily.com and use the code word DBD10 to receive 10% off your purchase.
This episode addresses what happens after you move your family member or loved one into a dementia care community. Oh those emotions! What happens after the move? What is next? How will you be feeling? Transitioning into a care community decision is a stressful decision. This is often the very last thing you want to do. We will take a look at what emotions and what we can expect to feel after we are no longer the fulltime caregiver and the community is "in charge" now. Listen in and we will take this journey together. My audiobook is a great companion tool to have after this podcast. You can purchase it here, rachaelwonderlin.com/products.
Be sure to visit my sponsor, Alerta, at www.alertafamily.com and use the code DBD for 10% off your purchase with them.
In this episode we dive into a a very timely topic to address, yet a very difficult and hard to discuss one: Ambiguous Loss. What is it? Why are you feeling it? How do we manage it? This is a remix of an episode from Season 2 where I discuss what is this type of loss, and why it's important to understand this term.
Be sure to check out my sponsor, Alerta, at alertafamily.com and use the code DBD10 for 10% off your next order!
As a care partner to someone living with dementia, the "stuff you need to know" can feel pretty overwhelming. In this episode, I dive into some SUPER EASY activities and programs that you can bring into your caregiving! The last thing that you need as a caregiver is more work and more challenges to tackle, so I'm going to try and make it as easy as possible.
Use my Memorable Pets code to get a discount on your next order!
Also use the code DEMENTIABYDAY on relish-life.com for 10% off your Relish purchases, formerly known as Active Minds!
Learn more about what I offer at rachaelwonderlin.com and check out my sponsor, Alerta, at alertafamily.com
Sometimes, caregiving is too much. What happens if you're feeling sick, or worse, chronically ill? How can you handle the burden of caregiving? We'll discuss the challenges and stresses that come with caregiving, particularly if you're the only one doing the job.
Learn more about me at rachaelwonderlin.com and check out my audiobook here. You can help to support my content creation using the "buy me a coffee" link here.
Learn more about my sponsor, Alerta, at alertafamily.com and use the code DBD10 for 10% off!
This episode is a "remix" from season 1 because it's my most popular podcast episode yet! This topic really fired me up and I think you'll feel the same after a listen. Find out what the "WHAT" is and why it's been a real challenge to get people to think about dementia care communication differently.
If you're loving my podcast, you'll really enjoy my audiobook, out now! Check out this link to support my content creation.
Learn more about this season's sponsor, Alerta, on alertafamily.com and be sure to use the code DBD10 for 10% off your next order!
Stephanie Erickson is a social worker and caregiving expert with 25 years of experience...and now she's an author! Stephanie's first book, "Plan for Aging Well" is brand new, and you can learn more about her and buy the book here.
Join us on this episode as we dive into what it means to take your passion and knowledge and put it into a book. Here's a sneak preview: it's scary, especially the first time around! You'll hear an unfiltered, true conversation about dementia education and what we both struggled with when writing our books.
If you're loving this podcast, you'll love my audiobook, available now: get it here! AND you can support me by donating to my content creation by "buying me a coffee" at this link! (It's not actually a coffee, it's just a way to gift me $5 for content creation.)
Learn more about my sponsor for this season at alertafamily.com and use the code DBD10 to get 10% off your purchase! Watch my review video here.
Woo, never a dull moment! I uploaded an edit with a longer beginning where we were messing with our tech...here's the new one!
PK Beville is the founder and CEO of Second Wind Dreams and the Virtual Dementia Tour! Join us as we talk about what it means to bring new, fresh ideas into an older industry: geriatrics, specifically, dementia care. We had a plan to talk about Telehealth, but PK and I immediately clicked and started getting SUPER honest about what it means to work in this field! You definitely don't want to miss this episode as we give you the REAL-REAL on aging healthcare.
Learn about PK Beville and Second Wind Dreams here: secondwind.org
If you're loving this podcast, you'll love my audiobook, available now: get it here! AND you can support me by donating to my content creation by "buying me a coffee" at this link! (It's not actually a coffee, it's just a way to gift me $5 for content creation.)
Learn more about my sponsor for this season at alertafamily.com and use the code DBD10 to get 10% off your purchase! Watch my review video here.
How can you be the best advocate for your loved one? What happens when people are questioning your knowledge of their condition? What happens when they go to the hospital? We discuss why it's so crucial that you continue to advocate for what's best for them!
If you're loving this podcast, you'll love my audiobook, available now! Get it here. AND you can support me by "buying me a coffee" at this link!
Learn more about my sponsor for this season at alertafamily.com and use the code DBD10 to get 10% off your purchase! Watch my review video here.
In this episode, we dive into the WHY behind why I trademarked my phrase, "Embracing Their Reality(TM)." Hint: It's because it almost got stolen! A client sent me a link to a blog a few months back that she found online...and they'd been using my trademark without my permission! Fortunately, it was already in process at that point, but this company really wanted to put up a fight to not give me the credit I deserved.
MY AUDIOBOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE! Check it out here!
Are you loving my podcast? Please consider "buying me a coffee" with this link here! It helps to support my content creation.
Find out more about my sponsor at alertafamily.com and be sure to use the code DBD10 to get 10% off your purchase!
In this episode, we discuss how my "16 Things I'd Want If I Got Dementia" poem was co-opted by a blogger who tried to sell it for her own benefit! I tell you why it's SO IMPORTANT to trademark your phrases in business and how I started the process.
I also mention my audiobook, out soon!
Don't miss all the great freebies on my site rachaelwonderlin.com and if you're enjoying my podcast, please consider buying me a coffee at buymeacoffee.com/dementiabyday
To learn more about my sponsor, watch my video here: https://youtu.be/EXoeVkur0nI and check out Alerta on alertafamily.com with the code DBD10
We're back for season 3 of the Dementia By Day podcast! In this episode, we discuss the THREE questions that you need to improve your dementia caregiving. We'll dive into my favorite topic, Embracing Their Reality(TM) and why these three questions are crucial to improving your dementia caregiving experience.
I also mention my audiobook, coming out soon!
Don't miss all the great freebies on my site, one of which is really helpful when it comes to Embracing Their Reality(TM) - rachaelwonderlin.com
If you're liking what you're hearing, please consider "Buying me a coffee" here: buymeacoffee.com/dementiabyday
To learn more about my sponsor for this season, check out my YouTube review at https://youtu.be/EXoeVkur0nI and Alerta on their website at alertafamily.com - be sure to use code DBD10 for 10% off your next purchase!
How is COVID-19 impacting dementia caregiving and communication? Should a person living with dementia be asked to wear a mask? How do we encourage hand-washing? What's happening inside senior living? Find out in this candid conversation with Michelle Tristani and Rachael Wonderlin.
In this miniseries, I'll be going through my 4 top, least-favorite words in dementia care and why they're my least favorites! Be sure to rate and subscribe to my podcast wherever you listen. Find more of me on www.rachaelwonderlin.com and download my freebies from the Products page!
In this miniseries, I'll be going through my 4 top, least-favorite words in dementia care and why they're my least favorites! Be sure to rate and subscribe to my podcast wherever you listen. Find more of me on www.rachaelwonderlin.com and download my freebies from the Products page!
In this miniseries, I'll be going through my 4 top, least-favorite words in dementia care and why they're my least favorites! Be sure to rate and subscribe to my podcast wherever you listen. Find more of me on www.rachaelwonderlin.com and download my freebies from the Products page!
In this miniseries, I'll be going through my 4 top, least-favorite words in dementia care and why they're my least favorites! Be sure to rate and subscribe to my podcast wherever you listen. Find more of me on www.rachaelwonderlin.com and download my freebies from the Products page!
It's common to find that shadowboxes outside residents' doors are full of knick-knacks and memorabilia...so why isn't this a great practice? Tune in and find out. Grab my freebies here: rachaelwonderlin.com/products
All about what Timeline Confusion(TM) is and why people living with dementia have trouble "recognizing" loved ones. Download my eKit on this topic here: www.rachaelwonderlin.com/products
Should you CALL a person living with dementia? I break down, in detail, the list that I wrote a few weeks back and many of my readers found helpful. When should you call someone? What do you say when you do call? Let's talk about it. For FREEBIES, see my site, rachaelwonderlin.com/products
Mixing it up a bit on this episode: giving you MY BEST tips to #workfromhome effectively. I've been working from home since 2016 and I KNOW it can be a real challenge, so I'm hitting you with my easiest tips and tricks. To download my freebie or enroll in my free masterclass, go to rachaelwonderlin.com/products
Download the corresponding freebie here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/product/the-5-ls-five-steps-to-awesome-communication/
This episode is all about Step 4, LEARN, and how to use it to Embrace Their Reality(TM) effectively.
Thank you to FlyingAngels.com for the sponsorship this month!
Download the corresponding freebie here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/product/the-5-ls-five-steps-to-awesome-communication/
This episode is all about Step 4, LEAP, and how to use it to Embrace Their Reality(TM) effectively.
Thank you to FlyingAngels.com for the sponsorship this month!
Download the corresponding freebie here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/product/the-5-ls-five-steps-to-awesome-communication/
This episode is all about Step 3, LEAN, and how to use it to Embrace Their Reality(TM) effectively.
Thank you to FlyingAngels.com for the sponsorship this month!
Part 2 of 5 of the Miniseries: 5 Steps to Embracing Their Reality! Download the freebie poster here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/product/the-5-ls-five-steps-to-awesome-communication/ and please be sure to rate & review my podcast to keep it at the top of the queue!
Part 1 of 5 of the Miniseries: 5 Steps to Embracing Their Reality! Download the freebie poster here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/product/the-5-ls-five-steps-to-awesome-communication/ and please be sure to rate & review my podcast to keep it at the top of the queue!
Join me as I talk with Andrew Meyer of Vivant Senior Living https://vivantseniorliving.com/ about what dementia care means to him, how the industry has changed, and how we continue to evolve in what dementia caregiving can offer! Thanks to FlyingAngels.com for sponsoring my episode this week, and please be sure to join me on my next free webinar: https://mailchi.mp/9b45b131360b/dementiacaremarketing
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
I've been in the senior living biz for a while now...so why haven't I ever worked with an independent living company? Find out in this episode, sponsored by FlyingAngels.com! And hey, if you're an IL looking to change it up, send me an email at rachael@dementiabyday.com — Here's the link to join my next free webinar for sales and marketing teams!
https://mailchi.mp/9b45b131360b/dementiacaremarketing
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
What I hope dementia care can become in the United States—and why I don't think it's there yet. Check out my first book,"When Someone You Know Is Living in a Dementia Care Community" on Amazon. If you read it and loved it, please take 5 minutes and leave me a 5-star review—I'd really appreciate it! https://www.amazon.com/When-Someone-Living-Dementia-Community/dp/1421420651
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
Find out what it really means to Embrace Their Reality(TM) and why I am spending the time (and money!) to trademark the phrase! Read more about this here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/2019/04/23/lying-withimage/
As always, thanks to FlyingAngels.com for sponsoring my podcast!
What does ansognosia mean and how does it impact dementia? Is it better to be unaware of what's happening in your body? Hear my thoughts on this week's podcast. Read the original post here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/2018/05/13/anosognosia-what-is-it/ and learn about my sponsor, Flying Angels, on flyingangels.com
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
You're probably grieving, but don't realize it. In this episode, I talk all about ambiguous loss and anticipatory grief—and why it's okay to feel this way. I also throw in a small personal story to illustrate the example! Read the original post here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/2019/03/26/ambiguousloss/ and learn more about my sponsor, Flying Angels, on flyingangels.com
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
Geriatrics is a tough world to jump into, and when you're the person families talk to first, you're expected to know just about everything. That's a rough road! Hear my advice about what you need to learn and what you need to be prepared for. To take my Udemy class, go to: https://www.udemy.com/course/mastering-memory-care-marketing/ and to learn more about my sponsor, Flying Angels, go to flyingangels.com
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
Welcome to Season 2 of the Dementia By Day Podcast! My "20 Things" list was born from my original, "16 Things," which was SUPER popular when I created it in 2014. This is a list of things I would personally want if I got dementia, but I think you'll find that many of these apply to you, as well. Here's the written post: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/2018/03/04/20things/
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
Get the full copy here: www.rachaelwonderlin.com/products I am often asked if my book, “When Someone You Know is Living in a Dementia Care Community,” is available in audio form… Bad news: the entire book is not available in audio form! Great news: my next books will be AND I have a sample chapter from “When Someone You Know” available here for you, free for download! Chapter 4: “When It’s Time For a Dementia Care Community—And When It’s Not” Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
"He described all the symptoms of dementia, but then said his mom didn't have dementia." What does dementia ACTUALLY look like? Why is it so challenging to stage someone? Let's find out in this episode of my podcast—the final episode of 2019! Sponsored by Flying Angels, flyingangels.com
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
Tim Johnston, PhD is with me today on the podcast to discuss aging and dementia care in the LGBT population! Join us as we delve into the top 5 things you’ll need to consider when working with this population. Tim can be found on his website, http://www.timrjohnston.com, where you can also find a link to his new book, “Affirmation, Care Ethics and LGBT Identity.” Thanks as always goes out to Flying Angels, flyingangels.com for their sponsorship of these episodes! Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
I'm so pumped to introduce my second book, Creative Engagement, published with Johns Hopkins University Press! You can actually PRE-ORDER it now for a June 2020 delivery! On this episode, I give you some quick and useful tips for engaging someone living with dementia, even if they "don't like to do anything." Thanks to my sponsor, Flying Angels at flyingangels.com
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
They used to help you make big decisions, but now you're left to make the big choices for BOTH of you. Caregiving for a partner is hard work. Listen in to hear what makes it different from other types of caregiving. Sponsored by Flying Angels! Check out FlyingAngels.com for more on my awesome sponsor.
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
How to win an argument with someone with dementia Ahh, writing that title hurt a little bit. You caught me: total clickbait! The real answer is this: we can’t “win” an argument with someone living with dementia. Here’s how, why, and what to do instead. Sponsored by Flying Angels, flyingangels.com Corresponding written post: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/2019/03/05/joeandhismom/ Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
Riveting interview with Dr. Kleinman: From psychiatrist to hands-on caregiver Dr. Kleinman is an American psychiatrist and a professor of medical anthropology and cross-cultural psychiatry at Harvard University. His new book, The Soul of Care: The Moral Education of a Husband and Doctor,” is out now with Penguin Random House. Here are some insights from our conversation: “I was previously unclear on how important the relationship was between doctors, family members, and people living with dementia.” “I really saw the failure of medicine. When you have cancer, you have a cancer team who helps you through the process…but neurologists don’t help you live with dementia.” You don’t want to miss this episode! Sponsored by Flying Angels: they’ll help your family fly the skies when a loved one is living with dementia. Learn more on flyingangels.com
Prepping for the holidays when a family member has dementia Instead of stressing yourself out, listen in on these tips to make your holidays a lot easier! Planning holiday gatherings can be hard enough, but when we add someone living with dementia to the mix, the stress level increases dramatically. How can we plan ahead? Listen in. This episode sponsored by Flying Angels, check them out on flyingangels.com to learn how they can help you fly the skies safely! Corresponding written post: http://www.enlivant.com/blog/holiday-tips-for-dementia-caregivers?fbclid=IwAR3yQNDNABuGerjb5qQykM9w8es1oSuE9wTQYW4Tuhgp-Tl2f2uuq-zeqQU Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
10 Most important things about dementia care communication This is straight from my public speaking presentation on dementia care! We’ll hit my 10 most important take-home points, chock-full of skills and tips you can use immediately. My podcast is sponsored by Flying Angels, check them out and learn more on flyingangels.com Corresponding written post: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/2019/04/20/thetenlist/
Here are my favorite, most accurate depictions of dementia care in pop culture. Let’s break it down! My sponsor, Flying Angels, is what you need if a loved one with dementia needs to get on a flight. www.flyingangels.com
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
This is one of my favorite topics! Let’s break down the worst offenders when it comes to dementia myths in pop culture. Can you guess what the worst one is? Tune in to find out! Thanks to my sponsor, Flying Angels, www.flyingangels.com
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
We see a lot of myths and misconceptions on TV, in movies and in articles that report to be “about dementia” or have a character “with dementia.” In this 3 part series of podcast episodes, I break down the myths, the best, and the worst of Hollywood depictions of dementia. Thanks to my sponsor, Flying Angels, www.flyingangels.com
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
Why is the routine of a person living with dementia so important? Heck, why is anyone's routine important? How can we use routine to better the way we care for someone living with dementia? Let's break it down in this week's episode, sponsored by Flying Angels. Does your loved one living with dementia need to hop on a plane? Don't go anywhere without Flying Angels. @flyingangels, www.flyingangels.com
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
I tuned in to AARP's podcast, The Perfect Scam, the other day and was immediately intrigued and realized I had to tell you all about this. Please call 877-908-3360 or go to https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/if you feel you or someone you care about is the victim of a scam. In this episode, I talk all about scams that exist, what to look for, how to avoid getting scammed, and what to do if you think you or someone you know is the victim of a scam.
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
How to help your residents/clients/loved ones living with dementia cope with seasonal mood changes. I'm all about the tangible, practical tips, my friends! This is the FIRST EPISODE OF MANY sponsored by FLYING ANGELS! Thanks to Bob and his crew for sponsoring 6 months of the Dementia By Day Podcast! Check them out at www.flyingangels.com
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
On today's episode, we talk about guilt and shame and why guilt is so dangerous for caregivers of those living with dementia. How does a senior living company meet somewhere where they are in their journey? Let's find out. This episode sponsored by Chris Cherico of Guardian Tax Solutions!
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
Why I can't stand the words "Allllttttheimer's" and "unit" + much more! Tune in to my episode sponsored by New Dawn Dementia Understandings: New Dawn has a training they are doing on Sept 26th 2019! You can check them out at www.newdawndementia.com
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
This episode was inspired by a woman I saw in the airport who was pretty clearly traveling alone—and living with dementia. Thanks to The Simple Home, who is sponsoring this episode! Check out shopthesimplehome.com or find them on Instagram @thesimplehome
What if you're trying to embrace one person's reality, but then another resident or person living with dementia calls you out on it? What do you do? Does this even happen? Let's find out on this next episode, my second episode sponsored by Pure Vita Co.! Pure Vita Co. makes ordering monthly supplies easy.
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
Thanks to Ageless Innovation's Joy For All Companion Pets for sponsoring this episode! Find out WHY someone living with dementia would believe that a robotic pet is real and how best to use this newfound knowledge.
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
How do you do it? Let's put our dementia caregiving skills to the test in this episode! My 10th episode is sponsored by STOVE GUARD INTERNATIONAL LTD. You can find them on the Web at stoveguardintl.com or on Facebook or Twitter with the handle @StoveGuardIntLL or on Instagram @stove.guard
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
On today's episode we'll be talking about the TWO THINGS that you've been overlooking when trying to solve behavioral challenges for people living with dementia. This episode is sponsored by New Dawn Dementia Understandings at www.newdawndementia.com - To register for a seminar with Donna and her company, or to schedule a class at your community, please visit www.NewDawnDementia.com or call 347-927-6712
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
Let's talk interior design in dementia care. I share a story from my past and talk about WHY what I'm doing now is so important to me. Amanda and her team at The Simple Home are sponsoring this episode! You're definitely going to want to check them out. To see the other blog I mentioned, check out Designing For Dementia.
To find them:
Instagram: @thesimplehome
Website: www.shopthesimplehome.com
In this episode, I discuss the 3 worst move-ins of new residents to dementia care that I've ever been a part of! Let's talk about how we could've made these moves into senior living WAY less painful. This episode is sponsored by TeleCalm, a phone service that assists adults living with dementia and their caregivers.
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
"When can I go home?" is probably the most dreaded question that any family caregiver or care staff member hears from a person living with dementia. Panic ensues as the caregiver stumbles through trying to tell the person that they "can't" go home. What can we do instead? This episode is sponsored by OpenCare App!
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
I meet a lot of care partners who are hesitant to introduce a stuffed animal or baby doll to their loved one living with dementia. Today we talk about Memorable Pets and Believable Babies, one of my absolute favorite companies for dementia-friendly products. I teach you how best to introduce a baby doll or pet, when to do it, why, and what the possible awesome outcome can be!
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
Do people living with schizophrenia have an increased risk of getting dementia? How big of an impact does depression have on dementia, and vice-versa? What is trauma-informed care?
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
They teach WHAT in nursing school?! Find out what they still teach about dementia care and why it's totally bogus. This episode is sponsored by North Star Senior Advisors, an awesome Senior Placement Firm in Central Florida. Check them out on their website, Facebook page, and Instagram.
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/
Welcome to my first-ever podcast! On this episode, I will be talking about what mini-reorientation is and why you shouldn't use it.
Are you enjoying my podcast? Please rate & review! Learn more about how I can help your organization here: https://rachaelwonderlin.com/workwithme/