I Am Who I Was But I’m Different
Energetic and passionate, dementia care
and training specialist Teepa Snow opened
the morning session of her full-day, preconference intensive talking about the person,
the human being. Why do They do THAT?
Understanding Symptoms and Behaviors
is a fundamental question asked by those who
care for and love these individuals.
Why do those living with dementia do what
they do? It’s complicated. Only two out of 10
people suffering with the disease recognize
they have it. This incurable, tragic assault on
a person’s brain causes physical and mental
changes that will eventually kill everyone
living with it. When interviewed, those in the
early stages of this disease say, “I am a person
first. I am not demented. I am a person living
with dementia.” Science classifies the disease
as neuro-cognitive degeneration. But for
those suffering with dementia, the scientific
terminology can’t explain the human toll it
takes on caregivers and patients alike.
In the afternoon session, “Reframing
Challenging Behaviors When Dementia is in
the Picture,” Ms. Snow had attendees on their
feet and participating in role-play activities
to put them in the shoes of the patient. She
reminded everyone that angry behavior is
actually sadness and at its core is the feeling,
“I am not getting something I need. I can’t
understand why all this is happening.” The
people are in emotional pain. She emphasized,
never underestimate the desperation of
someone with dementia to get out of the
emotional pain.
By the end of the afternoon session, the
message was clear: These are people who
had hopes, dreams and lives. They matter.
leadingageny.org
The things they love and loved, matter to
them. They are living in bodies they don’t
recognize anymore, all they know is something
is different and there is nothing they can do
to change it. She encouraged everyone to
take the time to learn who these people are
and were. As different as fingerprints, their
personality and past make up the individual
you see before you. Get to know them and you
will be able to help ease the pain they live with
every day of not knowing who they are now.
In the Winter issue of Adviser we will share
many more stories and helpful ideas from
Teepa’s presentations as we offer specific
things you can do as you live, and work, with
these challenging, complicated, lost and
suffering people.
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