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Notice Anything? Look closely. What do you see that’s different than a typical public bathroom?Doesn’t matter if it’s men’s or women’s. Pause for a second.Really look. Do you see it yet? This one’s going to be a little funny. I’ve been writing blogs for HolistiCare Homes and the Save Our Sanity Society for the past … Read more
The Call That Jolts You Awake The buzz of my watch and the sharp ring of my phone cut straight through sleep. Those calls don’t ever come at a good time.They come in the middle of the night—when your guard is down and your mind is still trying to catch up. “Hello, Shelley, this is … Read more
How to Respond to Accusations Without Damaging Trust When Accusations Start One of the hardest moments for families is when a loved one with dementia says someone has stolen their belongings. Joanna struggled with this often. She would accuse other residents or staff of taking her things. One day, it was her undergarments. We searched … Read more
She didn’t say it angrily.She said it almost to herself—like a realization that came too late. “They told me dehydration can cause UTIs.It sure would have been nice to know that some time ago.Mom really struggles to drink water.” This was after at least four hospitalizations for UTIs. Four. This Is How Families Get Blindsided … Read more
There’s a reason people love Patti.And no, it’s not because she’s loud, flashy, or trying to work the room. In fact, it’s the opposite. Patti is genuine. She listens. Really listens. Not the polite nod-and-smile kind, but the kind where you feel seen, remembered, and cared about long after the conversation ends. She’s the friend … Read more
(It Means Trusting What Comes Next) What does letting go really mean for you?Why does it pull at us so deeply? Is it the fear of the unknown?Or maybe the sense of failure?Or even the worry that this time… maybe you won’t bounce back? The truth is, letting go—even when we know it’s the right … Read more
(And What It Taught Me About Caring) I used to think being strong meant not crying. But one day, I opened a freezer door and everything changed. I never expected to cry in the freezer aisle at the grocery store. Have you ever been blindsided by grief in the most ordinary place? I was so … Read more
(And What Most People Do Wrong) Mom had an appointment.I came over early to help her get ready, because getting ready is a thing now. It takes forever. She can’t stay on task. That morning, though, things were actually going well. She was dressed. Shoes on. Purse ready. All that was left was brushing her … Read more
She Changed Everything. Her name was Gladys. ∞ ∞ ∞ Her eyes were soft with a voice was strong, though worn by years of living.You could still see pieces of who she had been, even as dementia slowly took them away. When Families Arrive Exhausted But in many ways, the ones who carried the weight … Read more
(And What Does) Yes, They Can Still Learn—Here’s How to Reach Them Many people are surprised to hear this, but it’s true: People with dementia can still learn. They just learn differently. Instead of learning through words and explanations, they learn through the senses, much like young children do. Some parts of the brain change, … Read more
