- A smile is worth a thousand words. (People with
dementia will mimic our mood and body language more than your words.)
- Respond not so much to what they are saying but the
way they are saying it (their emotions).
- The goal of caregiving is to promote positive emotions.
- It's okay to tell "therapeutic fibs" to promote
positive emotions.
- Build on what's left, not on what's lost.
- Helping does not mean taking over.
- You can't change their behavior or reaction, so change
yours.
- They can't resist, if you don't insist.
- They can't remember your reassurances; keep repeating
them.
- Don't try to bring the person with dementia into your
reality; it's a losing battle. Instead, be with them in their
reality.
- Let go of power struggles; people with Alzheimer's
disease are always right! (Once Alzheimer's is diagnosed, the
person is excused 100% of the time.)
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