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…
“Are You Staying Long?”: Loneliness, Love, and the Quiet Heartbreak of Rushed Visits She sits by the window every morning. The light shifts across her lap as the day moves on, and with it, a sliver of hope: “Maybe today.” Maybe today someone will visit…or maybe today someone will stay. Lost in the Hurry For older adults living with…
It Might be More Than Just a Toy: Offering Stuffed Animals in Dementia Care with Dignity and Purpose – In dementia care, it’s not uncommon to see a resident holding a stuffed animal. For some, this brings visible comfort — a soft object to hold, a calming routine, or a quiet companion during anxious moments. But for others, it…
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…
When all is said and done, try to remember that getting an early diagnosis is gearing up, not giving up. Loving Them Well: A Gentle Guide for a Husband or Wife Noticing Change You may have noticed that your spouse is becoming more forgetful—names slip away, routines change, maybe s/he repeats stories. You’ve chosen to meet them with patience…
We are providing the majority of Alzheimer’s care at home. And, although we are always hopeful, the future of the disease shows no sign of slowing down at this point, and there is a growing need for home care partners to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide effective care in a home setting. “Eighty percent…
30 Practical Tips for More Meaningful, Positive, and Comfortable Family Visits – Visiting a family member or loved one with dementia requires patience, understanding, and adaptability. Below, we provide 30 practical tips to help you. It’s not uncommon for family members to feel uncertain or even apprehensive about visiting, often unsure of what to say or how to engage…
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…
