Should we label a unit or area Cognitive Care or Memory Care? “Cognitive Care” may be a better term than “Memory Care” and we’ll give you some reasons why. First of all, dementia is not primarily a memory condition. While memory loss is often the most visible early symptom, dementia affects multiple cognitive functions, including: attention judgment problem-solving language…
Understanding why December feels different allows teams to anticipate needs, reduce distress, and create calmer, more meaningful moments during a month that can be both joyful and overwhelming. Below you’ll find 10 reasons December stands apart — and why caregiving requires a slightly different lens this time of year. December brings a unique rhythm to long-term care — one…
Polypharmacy — the use of multiple medications at the same time, often five or more — is one of the most pressing challenges in dementia care today. For residents living in long-term care or retirement communities, polypharmacy is not unusual. Many have multiple chronic conditions: diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, depression, insomnia. Each condition can add another pill to the daily…
In dementia care, person-centered care is the internationally recognized best practice. It means seeing each individual beyond their diagnosis, valuing their history and preferences, and shaping care around their identity and abilities.- Some propose calling it “person-led care.” While this sounds progressive, it risks confusion: many people with dementia — especially in moderate and later stages — cannot reliably “lead” their own…
Cognitive Ramps – Seeing Dementia as a Disability, Not Just a Disease: When someone uses a wheelchair, we don’t expect them to “overcome” stairs. We build a ramp. Yet when someone lives with dementia, too often the burden is placed on the person to compensate for memory loss, confusion, or language difficulties. What if we treated dementia the same…
In the moderate stage of dementia, people often remain aware of what’s happening both around them and within them. They may feel the loss of ability, sense their limitations, and wrestle with the tension between what they once could do and what they now struggle to manage. This awareness brings emotional pain, fear, frustration, and confusion—not just symptoms but…
This is a great example of how operational logistics intersect with resident experience—and how a Montessori-informed approach can turn moments of potential disruption into moments of dignity, purpose and calm. The Issue Residents become restless in the dining room before meals due to delays caused by kitchen distance and staggered food delivery. Some residents wander or display responsive behaviors…
As the needs of people living with dementia grow more complex, long-term care homes and memory support communities continue to search for methods that go beyond routine care and compliance. A new systematic review confirms broad benefits in residential aged care and compelling evidence that Montessori-based programs can deliver. The goal? Engaged residents Empowered staff Dignified, person-directed support. A…
In the heart of Rancho Santa Fe, California, a heartwarming initiative is making waves in memory care communities. The Frostys, an intergenerational volunteer group, are dedicated to bringing joy to memory care residents through music and fun. Comprising children in grades 3 through 8, these young volunteers participate in Sing-A-Longs at local memory care homes, fostering connections that transcend…
Comfort Without Regression: Rethinking Doll Use in Dementia Care – In some dementia care settings, it’s not unusual to see residents cuddling dolls, or even being guided into changing and feeding them. Some facilities have gone so far as to create “nurseries” filled with cribs and baby dolls. While these scenes may appear comforting at first glance, they stand…
Should we label a unit or area Cognitive Care or Memory Care? “Cognitive Care”…
Leadership Systems, Care Consistency, and the “Invisible Hours”. In every residence, care unfolds across many…
