belightcare
Adria Thompson
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SLP Certified Dementia Practitioner Dementia Consultant Follow for care tips💜
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Do you struggle to get in and out of a car? My grandparents did and, at the time, I didn’t know about products like these to make things easier! I certainly wish I did!
@stander.mobility has the Handybar Lite, the Car Caddie, and the Handy Handle to make getting in and out so much easier. For many people, their fear is just as limiting as their physical limitations. These products can provide them with a peace of mind and needed support.
I will be sharing how you can get your own Handybar Lite in the BIGGEST giveaway I’ve done so far. Stay tuned 😊
#ad #standerpartner
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
@stander.mobility has the Handybar Lite, the Car Caddie, and the Handy Handle to make getting in and out so much easier. For many people, their fear is just as limiting as their physical limitations. These products can provide them with a peace of mind and needed support.
I will be sharing how you can get your own Handybar Lite in the BIGGEST giveaway I’ve done so far. Stay tuned 😊
#ad #standerpartner
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
It is World FTD week! I will be sharing in my stories some recommendations on how to learn more.
I’d love for you to share this video to spread awareness💜
#ftd
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
I’d love for you to share this video to spread awareness💜
#ftd
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
The moment I realized that the shower head distance from the person made a huge difference in perceived temperature SO much made sense! So often I would allow the person I’m helping to test the water and then I’d pull it back and they’d “change their mind”. OR I’d bring it closer to rinse their hair and they’d scream that I was scalding them. My best advice is to believe them.
If they want to shower in water *you* think is too cool, let them! They’re body is experiencing and perceiving sensations differently than before. If they say they’re too hot or too cold, believe them. Consider what you may be doing that is affecting their experience. Is the door open? Did you pull back the curtain? All of these things affect temperature perception.
Have you ever experienced this?
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
If they want to shower in water *you* think is too cool, let them! They’re body is experiencing and perceiving sensations differently than before. If they say they’re too hot or too cold, believe them. Consider what you may be doing that is affecting their experience. Is the door open? Did you pull back the curtain? All of these things affect temperature perception.
Have you ever experienced this?
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
This clever product can make a big impact on a persons ability to get up and down from furniture. I love the @stander.mobility EZ Stand-N-Go especially for recliners, couches where a person only has one arm rest, or oversized chairs with excessively cushioned armrests without much support.
In my last video, I tested it out on many different types and sizes of furniture at a furniture store and it was super easy to adjust the height, width, and depth to fit everything I tried! On compatible recliners, it doesn’t impede the foot rest or rocking. I just think it’s a super smart and needed product.
If you’d like to purchase it or read more about it, click the Stander link in my bio or go to www.stander.com/belightcare
#ad #standerpartner
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
In my last video, I tested it out on many different types and sizes of furniture at a furniture store and it was super easy to adjust the height, width, and depth to fit everything I tried! On compatible recliners, it doesn’t impede the foot rest or rocking. I just think it’s a super smart and needed product.
If you’d like to purchase it or read more about it, click the Stander link in my bio or go to www.stander.com/belightcare
#ad #standerpartner
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
Don’t underestimate the power of music! This is true for most aspects of life, but definitely showering too!
How have you used music during bathing?
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
How have you used music during bathing?
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
One of the things that makes showering so complex for individuals with dementia is that each product has different rules that are used in certain order. It’s common for someone to mistake lotion for shampoo or conditioner for body wash. Taking the time to re-label products may help individuals in the early and middle stages of dementia more successful and less frustrated!
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
This concept is really hard to explain in a quick 75 second video! I go SO much more in depth in my Dementia Shower Guide course about this concept. It is the key to overcoming objections to showering.
The gist is we need to listen to them. Sometimes this means we need to intentionally ask them, “Why don’t you want to shower?” It’s amazing to me how many times we skip this step.
However, not everyone can verbalize their reasons. Not everyone has the communication or insight to explain it. In these instances, we can look for nonverbal signs. I go over this in my course too!
Once you know the objection, ask yourself, “If this were true, what would be required to get them to do it anyway?” This will lead you down the path of figuring out how to make this process smoother.
Look out for my showering course in October!
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
The gist is we need to listen to them. Sometimes this means we need to intentionally ask them, “Why don’t you want to shower?” It’s amazing to me how many times we skip this step.
However, not everyone can verbalize their reasons. Not everyone has the communication or insight to explain it. In these instances, we can look for nonverbal signs. I go over this in my course too!
Once you know the objection, ask yourself, “If this were true, what would be required to get them to do it anyway?” This will lead you down the path of figuring out how to make this process smoother.
Look out for my showering course in October!
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
It was hard fitting this into a short video but here are some more of my thoughts:
I have a lot of hair and it’s long. This may not be reflective of everyone else’s experience. I imagine with shorter hair, it would be more thoroughly wet. I imagine I could have also used more than one.
Although my hair may have still “felt” greasy, I believe the purpose is moreso to cleanse it. It’s supposed to clean, condition and remove odors from hair and scalp with no water.
It took a bit of work to massage it into my hair and although it was tiring for me, if someone else was doing it to me I imagine the experience would have been enjoyable!
The inside of the cap was super soft with a fuzzy-like material. The entire shower cap has a good weight to it. It’s not plastic-y like other shower caps.
This is not a sponsored post, and there are many different brands of these shampoo caps! I’ll put a link in my story and in my amazon store for these! It’s an affiliate link, just so you know.
I share many products like these in my Dementia Shower Guide course coming soon!
What do you think of these? Have you seen them before? Have you used one? Also, feel free to ask me more questions about it!
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
I have a lot of hair and it’s long. This may not be reflective of everyone else’s experience. I imagine with shorter hair, it would be more thoroughly wet. I imagine I could have also used more than one.
Although my hair may have still “felt” greasy, I believe the purpose is moreso to cleanse it. It’s supposed to clean, condition and remove odors from hair and scalp with no water.
It took a bit of work to massage it into my hair and although it was tiring for me, if someone else was doing it to me I imagine the experience would have been enjoyable!
The inside of the cap was super soft with a fuzzy-like material. The entire shower cap has a good weight to it. It’s not plastic-y like other shower caps.
This is not a sponsored post, and there are many different brands of these shampoo caps! I’ll put a link in my story and in my amazon store for these! It’s an affiliate link, just so you know.
I share many products like these in my Dementia Shower Guide course coming soon!
What do you think of these? Have you seen them before? Have you used one? Also, feel free to ask me more questions about it!
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
I love this simple, but super effective technique! Written cues have been proven over and over to increase independence and comprehension of instructions in individuals with dementia.
Make sure to test this out on a small section of the shower walls and make sure to avoid grout lines!
Have you ever done this? Let me know in the comments what you think!
Look out for tips like these and many more in the Dementia Shower Guide course in October!
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
Make sure to test this out on a small section of the shower walls and make sure to avoid grout lines!
Have you ever done this? Let me know in the comments what you think!
Look out for tips like these and many more in the Dementia Shower Guide course in October!
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
Context is everything, guys. It’s so important to not only communicate with words but with walls, showerheads, toilets, and tile. These things communicate “it’s okay to shower here” far more than televisions, couches, and strangers. Don’t bring up showering until you’re in the bathroom if you are getting frequent refusals.
Have you ever thought of this?
Look out for more tips like this in my shower and course coming in October.
(Sorry for the mouth close-up🤣)
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
Have you ever thought of this?
Look out for more tips like this in my shower and course coming in October.
(Sorry for the mouth close-up🤣)
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
This part of bathing is often overlooked! I find it to be super important for individuals in the moderate stages of dementia with a short attention span. As a caregiver, you are often limited in your time and it can be unnerving if the person you are caring for is about to get into the shower but is then distracted by a decorative pumpkin on the counter.
This can also be helpful for individuals in the mild stages of dementia who may forget why they were coming into the bathroom in the first place. Limiting the option of what they can do can keep them on track.
You may notice that I removed items from inside the shower too. I do this often for individuals who are confused by the different products (they may not know the body wash from the shampoo) or people who repetitively wash certain parts over and over again. This allows me to give them one item at a time and keep them on track.
Have you noticed distraction being an issue? What items distract them most often?
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
This can also be helpful for individuals in the mild stages of dementia who may forget why they were coming into the bathroom in the first place. Limiting the option of what they can do can keep them on track.
You may notice that I removed items from inside the shower too. I do this often for individuals who are confused by the different products (they may not know the body wash from the shampoo) or people who repetitively wash certain parts over and over again. This allows me to give them one item at a time and keep them on track.
Have you noticed distraction being an issue? What items distract them most often?
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
I want to challenge you to remove the expectation that a person has to be completely nude before a shower ever even starts. You can work up to it! Build trust and comfort in the process. I even shower people from the waist down while they have a shirt on.
In addition to these tips, let me just remind you that towels are meant to get wet. I will often shower people with multiple hand towels and bath towels draped across their bodies strategically. Modestly is an understandable concern and one we need to work with!
Have you tried these things? Let me know how you navigate modesty in the comments.
To learn more tips like this, check out my Dementia Shower Guide course coming soon!
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
In addition to these tips, let me just remind you that towels are meant to get wet. I will often shower people with multiple hand towels and bath towels draped across their bodies strategically. Modestly is an understandable concern and one we need to work with!
Have you tried these things? Let me know how you navigate modesty in the comments.
To learn more tips like this, check out my Dementia Shower Guide course coming soon!
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
This requires really knowing a person, right? You’ve got to know what they love- gossip? Giving advice? Arguing about politics? Story telling? Find the topic that makes them tick and strategically use that when showering them. You need them to feel like first and foremost they are having a great time talking with you and the shower is just secondary. It’s not the most important thing.
This will keep them feeling safe and will make the process go by faster and more comfortably. What do you talk about during unpleasant moments of care?
Look out for more tips like this in my shower and course coming in October.
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
This will keep them feeling safe and will make the process go by faster and more comfortably. What do you talk about during unpleasant moments of care?
Look out for more tips like this in my shower and course coming in October.
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
This is a big moment for many caregivers. The time will come when an individual with dementia will need more assistance during showering and bathing. It can be a difficult time to figure out how to maneuver! Not only can it be embarrassing for the person with dementia but also for their caregiver. This is the technique I often employ.
For a person who doesn’t like anyone to be in the room, it's often not best to start out saying things like, “Well, you aren’t doing it right so I have to help you now!” or “You’ve fallen 3 times. You can’t be in here by yourself anymore.” Instead, using this non-confrontational approach to have a reasonable excuse to step into the bathroom may make them feel less scared or threatened. At first, you may just need to be nearby… just in case. Or perhaps you may need to give reminders like, “Oh, while I’m in here, I just was going to make sure you have enough shampoo. It’s in the blue bottle. Make sure to put that in your hair!”
As time goes on, more will be required. However, this is an easy way to ease into the idea of being nearby.
Have you had to do this yet?
For more tips like these (and so many more!) watch out for my Dementia Shower Guide course coming soon!
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
For a person who doesn’t like anyone to be in the room, it's often not best to start out saying things like, “Well, you aren’t doing it right so I have to help you now!” or “You’ve fallen 3 times. You can’t be in here by yourself anymore.” Instead, using this non-confrontational approach to have a reasonable excuse to step into the bathroom may make them feel less scared or threatened. At first, you may just need to be nearby… just in case. Or perhaps you may need to give reminders like, “Oh, while I’m in here, I just was going to make sure you have enough shampoo. It’s in the blue bottle. Make sure to put that in your hair!”
As time goes on, more will be required. However, this is an easy way to ease into the idea of being nearby.
Have you had to do this yet?
For more tips like these (and so many more!) watch out for my Dementia Shower Guide course coming soon!
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
5 signs that a person with dementia needs more assistance:
They are using products the wrong way. If you’re not present during the shower, you may notice that their hair doesn’t actually seem like it’s been shampooed or they are never running out of body wash.
They are taking a long time.
They are falling in and around the shower
They have a hard time starting a shower
They uncharacteristically don’t want to shower.
If you are concerned that someone is needing more help and you don’t know how to approach that topic or you aren’t sure what to even do… check out all my showering videos here on social media AND make sure to watch for my Dementia Shower Guide course coming in October!!
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
They are using products the wrong way. If you’re not present during the shower, you may notice that their hair doesn’t actually seem like it’s been shampooed or they are never running out of body wash.
They are taking a long time.
They are falling in and around the shower
They have a hard time starting a shower
They uncharacteristically don’t want to shower.
If you are concerned that someone is needing more help and you don’t know how to approach that topic or you aren’t sure what to even do… check out all my showering videos here on social media AND make sure to watch for my Dementia Shower Guide course coming in October!!
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
Today I’m partnering with HFC to share some information about bathing. Generally, showering can be hard for someone with dementia because of:
1. Products
2. Process
3. Physicality
4. Perception
Purpose
How you noticed any of these becoming a “slippery” situation for the person you are caring for?
Oh, also I created a course called the Dementia Shower Guide that will be available in October. I discuss these issues and more! I am so excited for you to get your hands on it! Stick around this month for more information.
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers
1. Products
2. Process
3. Physicality
4. Perception
Purpose
How you noticed any of these becoming a “slippery” situation for the person you are caring for?
Oh, also I created a course called the Dementia Shower Guide that will be available in October. I discuss these issues and more! I am so excited for you to get your hands on it! Stick around this month for more information.
#dementia #caregiver #alzheimers #alzheimer #dementiaawareness #dementiacare #caregiverlife #alzheimerssucks #vasculardementia #frontotemporaldementia #lewybodydementia #alzheimersfight #alzheimersdisease #dementiasucks #dementiapatients #dementiasupport #caregiversupport #caregivers