I appreciate this. One thing I wish Teepa would speak more about is the emotional lability, and how sometimes it is more compassionate and therapeutic to distract someone with vascular dementia having a depressive episode rather than reasoning with them or even sometimes soothing them.
Thanks Katie. We don't actually distract people but rather, we try to understand what their unmet need is (physical, emotional, spiritual). Sometimes that means getting someone to "tell us more about it," which can lead to conversation that can go in any direction. Sometimes it means just "being" with them and matching their mood or emotions because they just don't feel like talking - and that's OK too. If we are not addressing the unmet need...it continues to go unmet.
Teepa Snow's Positive Approach to Care I agree with this, but to a point. When someone is having brain changes in vascular dementia in a way that causes sudden emotional lability and depressive comments/tearfulness, what I personally have seen most effective as a CDP and RN is to comfort them briefly, try to figure out if there is an unmet need, and then when those things lead to a dead end, trying to distract or activate their limbic system in a different way through a joke or a tune that starts out sad and gets happy. I know Teepa has utilized that same method based on her teaching in “What is Dementia” where she briefly touches on the emotional lability of vascular dementia (at about the 14 minute mark). I wish she would do more teaching on this, because she is right that trying to console them in that moment often does more harm that good.
This is so helpful! I am in 9th year in-home care partner for/with my mom, who is transitioning from ruby to pearl now. I have often said our days are 3 days long-morning, afternoon, and evening. Thank you!
My father was diagnosed with vascular dementia August 2020 it's progressing very fast 😭, i wish i could give him part of my brain to get him back to life ,Is there any treatment i just can't accept that there is no treatment and just meds to slow the progression. Praying of a miracle .. but Any treatment dr ???sending a thank you hug for you dr Teepa your videos are helping me alot. Sending love from Egypt💗
Hello, @Marina Fathy, Shelly from Teepa's team - I'm sorry that we haven't responded to your comment earlier. It sounds like you are dealing with a lot these days. We are glad that we can provide some information for you. I know that you want to give your father a part of your brain and I think you can do that by being with him and helping him through this journey with as much love, support, and understanding as possible. If you are still looking for more information on vascular dementia, you might want to check out some of these products (shop.teepasnow.com/jsf/woocommerce-archive/tax/product_tag:214/) or if you would like to discuss things, consider connecting for a free 30-minute consult by emailing consult@teepasnow.com.
I need your help teepa. Can you please do a video to help me find the yes. My mom says everything is a no now. With vascular dementia. Mild cognitive impairment. How do i help her to find productive activities she is capable to do and safe to do. Is there a certain type of Dr that can help us figure that stuff out. She was big on teaching and volunteering. Now retired with dementia, she is super depressed because she feels useless. Everytime i have to say no, it only makes it worse.
I appreciate this. One thing I wish Teepa would speak more about is the emotional lability, and how sometimes it is more compassionate and therapeutic to distract someone with vascular dementia having a depressive episode rather than reasoning with them or even sometimes soothing them.
Thanks Katie. We don't actually distract people but rather, we try to understand what their unmet need is (physical, emotional, spiritual). Sometimes that means getting someone to "tell us more about it," which can lead to conversation that can go in any direction. Sometimes it means just "being" with them and matching their mood or emotions because they just don't feel like talking - and that's OK too. If we are not addressing the unmet need...it continues to go unmet.
Teepa Snow's Positive Approach to Care I agree with this, but to a point. When someone is having brain changes in vascular dementia in a way that causes sudden emotional lability and depressive comments/tearfulness, what I personally have seen most effective as a CDP and RN is to comfort them briefly, try to figure out if there is an unmet need, and then when those things lead to a dead end, trying to distract or activate their limbic system in a different way through a joke or a tune that starts out sad and gets happy. I know Teepa has utilized that same method based on her teaching in “What is Dementia” where she briefly touches on the emotional lability of vascular dementia (at about the 14 minute mark). I wish she would do more teaching on this, because she is right that trying to console them in that moment often does more harm that good.
This is so helpful! I am in 9th year in-home care partner for/with my mom, who is transitioning from ruby to pearl now. I have often said our days are 3 days long-morning, afternoon, and evening. Thank you!
Thank you for this and all of your wisdom!
I guess this is it. Some days are confusing some not.
My father was diagnosed with vascular dementia August 2020 it's progressing very fast 😭, i wish i could give him part of my brain to get him back to life ,Is there any treatment i just can't accept that there is no treatment and just meds to slow the progression. Praying of a miracle .. but Any treatment dr ???sending a thank you hug for you dr Teepa your videos are helping me alot. Sending love from Egypt💗
Hello, @Marina Fathy, Shelly from Teepa's team - I'm sorry that we haven't responded to your comment earlier. It sounds like you are dealing with a lot these days. We are glad that we can provide some information for you. I know that you want to give your father a part of your brain and I think you can do that by being with him and helping him through this journey with as much love, support, and understanding as possible. If you are still looking for more information on vascular dementia, you might want to check out some of these products (shop.teepasnow.com/jsf/woocommerce-archive/tax/product_tag:214/) or if you would like to discuss things, consider connecting for a free 30-minute consult by emailing consult@teepasnow.com.
I need your help teepa. Can you please do a video to help me find the yes. My mom says everything is a no now. With vascular dementia. Mild cognitive impairment. How do i help her to find productive activities she is capable to do and safe to do. Is there a certain type of Dr that can help us figure that stuff out. She was big on teaching and volunteering. Now retired with dementia, she is super depressed because she feels useless. Everytime i have to say no, it only makes it worse.
Please connect with us via our website and we can connect you with someone that can discuss this with you in more detail.
This has been very helpful. Thank you so much!❤
Why isn't anything for ppl who have dementia but still able to function on their on some what?
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