Let’s break the stigma of dementia.
During “When & Where for Senior Care”, Deb Kaul, Denis Tollefson and Richard Anderson join It Takes 2 to discuss the common myths associated with dementia. (And, provide some great resources!)
MYTH 1: Dementia dehumanizes people.
This is just not true. People with dementia understand a lot more than people realize and want the tender care everyone else wants.
A portion of “Wandering Along the Beach” by Kate Swaffer:
Living in aged care does not mean people with dementia wish to stop walking
Oddly, before a diagnosis dementia, doctors tell us to get or keep fit,
And that walking is one of the best exercises for us…
Even more oddly, when we have dementia, this must stop
As then walking is referred to as wandering,
A challenging behaviour that needs managing
People with dementia are still “real” people
Living their lives just as they did before acquiring the label of dementia
People with dementia are not wanderers, poor feeders, aggressives, or demented sufferers
People with dementia still wish to live well
But get very little support from others for well-being or for improving our quality of life
Including to go walkingWalking is good for us and fun…
It is not a challenging behaviour. (
Click here to read the full passage
)
MYTH 2: There’s really no reason to diagnosis a person with dementia or significant memory loss because there isn’t anything that can be done to help the.
Unfortunately, physician and medical providers sometimes avoid giving the diagnosis of dementia – even thought other chronic, progressive, life-limiting neurological diseases are given opportunities for rehab, OT, PT, Speech therapy… people with dementia are not.
Current research suggests effectiveness of dementia rehab.
Here are some resources:
From NY Times:
Dementia May Never Improve, but Many Patients Still Can Learn
MYTH 3: People living with dementia cannot learn new things, make new friends, laugh, experience hope and joy and live full, active lives after being diagnosed.
(Hopefully we have convinced you otherwise by now!)
At the Memory Cafe in Fargo, North Dakota, they are actively enhancing the quality of life for people living with early-mid-stage memory loss and their families.
“The mission of Memory Cafe of the Red River Valley is to provide empowerment, hope, and joy to people living with mild to moderate memory loss and their care partners through education, socialization, and the creative arts.”
To Attend the Memory Cafe:
Free, no reservations needed
Meet 1st and 3rd Tuesday 1-2:30pm First Lutheran Church downtown Fargo
& the 3rd Saturday 10-11:30am at Dakota Medical Foundation
Listen above for the full discussion!
(from L-R: Denise Tollefson, Deb Kaul, Richard Anderson in the KFGO Studio)
LISTEN TO 790 AM & 94.1 FM EVERY THIRD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH AT 1:40PM FOR “WHEN & WHERE FOR SENIOR CARE” WITH
SERENITY ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE
.
SERENITY ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE IS LOCATED ON OAKVIEW DRIVE IN DILWORTH, MN
218-477-7254 – you can call Denise or Richard or any of their staff can assist you
Additional Content:
KFGO Podcast –
How to communicate with those suffering memory loss
KFGO Podcast –
Myths & Truths about Hospice Care
KFGO Podcast –
Medicare Questions
(Amy Iler & JJ Gordon are talk-show hosts at 790 AM KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. “It Takes 2 with Amy & JJ” can be heard weekdays 11am-2pm. Check out the show page on
FACEBOOK.
Follow Amy on Twitter
@AmyKFGO
. Follow JJ on Twitter
@JJGodon701
.)
