Alzheimer's
impacts families, caregivers and individuals in so many unexpected
ways. This presentation provides expert information and shows how
to build bridges spanning the gap between the care provider and the
person with Alzheimer's. Families can share missing details, create
stronger links, and assist in giving back their "greatness." Learn
how to speak, act, move; how to visit and what to expect. Once
families and caregivers better understand dementia and how to
recognize and apply the valuable knowledge they hold, they become
"helpers", Brackey explains, smoothing out many of the upsetting
bumps in the disease process. Author: Jolene Brackey
Topics
include: It's Time to Move, Where's My Room, Habits of a Lifetime,
What to Expect, Keys to Visiting, Not Forgotten, Story Telling,
Let's Talk Communication, Outings with less Stress and Simple
Pleasures.
Running time:
2 hrs 17 minutes
About Jolene
Brackey
Jolene Brackey
explains that the key to any person is figuring out their
greatness. "Find out what they are good at, and compliment them,"
she says. By letting caregivers know a little about the person’s
history allows them to help them remember who they are. Gestures as
small as allowing a patient to keep their old worn out chair or
‘stinky softball glove’ comforts them. Playing cards with
Alzheimer's patients is a way to trigger memories of the past. Even
shuffling a deck of cards can bring an unexpected, but delightful
smile on their face.
Brackey
describes the mind of a person in the later stages of Alzheimer's
like that of a child between the ages of 8 to 10 years old, and as
the disease progresses, they function as a 4 to 6 year old, until
eventually they lose cognitive skills. Though they may initially
lose their short-term memory, they continue to remember many of
their past experiences.
According to
Brackey, many people label what is "appropriate" and
"inappropriate" for patients, but those are very powerful words.
"We leave them with nothing if we take away their stuff for
safety," says Brackey. Give them their greatness back by creating a
home away from home. Take pictures of their favorite place to sit
and their bedroom, and recreate that atmosphere by bringing
personal items to make their new room more familiar. Create "boxes
of greatness" which should include things from their past.
Brackey began her career with Alzheimer's patients as an Activity
Director. As her work progressed, she began jotting down ideas that
offered positive help for patients. She attended conferences and
set up three Alzheimer's units, and began presenting educational
seminars. Brackey's devotion and passion to help others began
empowering families and staff members through training takes her
across the country speaking about life for caregivers and people
with dementia.
Her talks and
videos are a series of enlightening insights into Alzheimer’s
disease and how to better communicate, empower and help people with
the disease feel and become safer in their environments.
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