March 27, 2024 by Dean Bellefeuille
Have you ever said the wrong thing? Perhaps your intention was to compliment a friend on her new haircut, but you came across sounding like you were criticizing her previous hairstyle. Choosing our words carefully is always important, but even more so when speaking with someone with dementia. The words we say and the way we say them can significantly impact the person’s emotional well-being and quality of life. (more…)
March 20, 2024 by Dean Bellefeuille
As we get older, it’s natural to become more concerned about the risk of falling. However, the fear of falling can be overwhelming for many people, leading to a decrease in physical activity, social engagement, and overall quality of life. It’s essential to address this fear head-on and empower older adults to live confidently and fearlessly. Here are some valuable strategies to help those you love overcome the fear of senior falls: (more…)
March 12, 2024 by Dean Bellefeuille
It’s easy for family caregivers to feel alone. When you’re caring for someone else, remembering to care for yourself can be difficult. A recent listening session, however, allowed family caregivers to speak openly and honestly about what they need – and the results may surprise you. Here are some of the key findings and insights gleaned from these sessions. (more…)
February 7, 2024 by Dean Bellefeuille
Do you have any extra time to spare in the average day? If you’re like most family caregivers, carving out enough time to meet each day’s basic requirements may be hard enough. The idea of having regular intervals of downtime may seem unattainable. (more…)
January 23, 2024 by Dean Bellefeuille
Everyone understands the feeling of trying every trick in the book to get to sleep after a long day. As we age, it can be even more difficult to get enough sleep. Older adults may experience changes in their sleep architecture, including lighter sleep, more frequent awakenings, and a shift towards earlier bedtimes. Yet maintaining healthy sleep patterns is vitally important for cognitive function, emotional health, and physical vitality. (more…)
January 16, 2024 by Dean Bellefeuille
When we reach our senior years, we have spent decades investing in relationships with family and friends. These bonds are crucial to our quality of life, and when they are severed, it inevitably leads to feelings of deep loss. (more…)
December 18, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
Caring for a loved one is often an all-consuming role. It requires so much of your time, focus, and energy that when caregiving ends, for any reason, it can leave you feeling lost. Other common feelings to expect when you are no longer serving as caregiver for a loved one include: (more…)
December 6, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
Did you ever wake up in the middle of a dream and wonder, for just a moment, if what you were dreaming about was real? It can feel so disorienting until you open your eyes and take in your familiar surroundings. Such an experience can give you just a brief glimpse into the ongoing disorientation for someone with dementia. When confusion about time, place, and even identity settle in for someone you love, you have two choices in determining which dementia care approach is best: either stepping into their reality with them, or orienting them to yours. (more…)
November 21, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
What’s at the top of your wish list this holiday season? An end to world hunger? A new home? Good health for your loved ones? What if you could eliminate stress and simply take pleasure in the holiday season? What a gift that would be! (more…)
November 14, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
It’s safe to say that we all want to spend as little time in the hospital as possible. The aim is to get the necessary treatment or procedure over with as soon as possible and move on to recovering. Unsurprisingly, the growing trend in hospital-at-home services is one being met with open arms. Imagine being able to avoid: (more…)