Stories from the Field

Shelley: When Our Agenda Becomes Louder Than Theirs
Shelley: When Our Agenda Becomes Louder Than Theirs

When Our Agenda Becomes Louder Than Theirs

There is a simple truth we don’t say often enough in dementia care. Dementia behaviors are communication, not defiance. We, the sapphire brains, can ...
Shelley Pillado

There’s No Place Like Home…

(Until Home Becomes a Cage) If you’re caring for an aging parent, you’ve probably heard this phrase more times than you can count: “There’s ...
Shelley Pillado

When Your Loved One Says ‘Someone Stole My Things,’ Don’t Do This

How to Respond to Accusations Without Damaging Trust When Accusations Start One of the hardest moments for families is when a loved one with ...
Shelley Pillado

The Day I Broke Down in the Freezer Aisle

(And What It Taught Me About Caring) I used to think being strong meant not crying. But one day, I opened a freezer door ...
Shelley Pillado

She Called Me Mom And Why I Let It Be

She called me Mom again today. “Mom, what should we do next? What do we still need to do?” Her voice floated across the ...
Shelley Pillado

I Slept at the Care Home Four Nights a Week.

Here’s Why I’d Do It Again. By the Fourth of July, we welcomed our second resident. Her name was Marla. Marla wasn’t a stranger ...
Shelley Pillado

Change Is Coming—Whether You’re Ready or Not.

 We learn during seasons of change. This is what I learned. I Cried Today. The text came out of nowhere. The words are heavy.Weighted ...
Shelley Pillado

Marla’s Story

Marla’s family has a secret…one that she wants to share with all of you. Marla has been undergoing changes in her cognitive function for ...
Shelley Pillado