Overcoming the Communication Barrier with People with Dementia
At times dementia makes communication difficult, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways to manage and adapt communication methods to talk to your loved ones!
The Importance of Fostering Creative Energy in People with Dementia
For those of us that have experience caring for individuals with dementia, the struggle to engage them in various tasks and activities is likely a familiar one. However, your loved ones can still live a fulfilling and eventful life.
My Galentine
With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, many people overlook the fun, slightly made up holiday, Galentine's Day! Galentine's day, on February 13th, is a day to celebrate female friendship. My Galentine this year? My Grandma!
On love and dementia
Today we are joined by Raymond Thompson, the husband of Marilyn who has lived with dementia for over 10 years.
Why Socializing is Important for Individuals with Dementia
Join us as we outline why socializing is important and how to go about it!
Happy National Parkinson's Day
Today for National Parkinson's Day we are joined by Lexi Salt, a great friend who knows the effects of Parkinson's disease firsthand through her grandfather, Ken. Parkinson's Day is a day to celebrate and uplift those living with Parkinson's, and we are happy to have Lexi and Ken share their story. Read more to hear about Ken's journey with Parkinson's and dementia through Lexi's eyes.
I would like to introduce you to Ken Holden, or how he has always been known to me, Papa. He is my grandfather on my Mom’s side. I grew up with so much compassionate care from my Papa. He would spend hours playing games with my brother, Trevor, and I. He bought me my first bike, taught me how to canoe, took me on my first camping trip (in our basement – I eventually graduated to the backyard and then a real campground). I have wonderful memories of Papa, Trevor and I playing volleyball over Nana’s clothesline in the backyard. He would rake up all the leaves during the fall for Trevor and me to jump in. I always looked up to Papa and remember saying “I want to be like Papa when I am older”. He was so incredibly active: constantly biking, canoeing, hiking, kayaking, roller-blading, playing volleyball, the list goes on and on. He travelled around the world doing amazing adventure trips: he cycled through the Rockies, hiked throughout Australia for a month, kayaked with beluga whales, swam with manatees and canoed with alligators in the Okefenokee Swamp.
Thirteen years ago, Papa was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and things started to change. He developed tremors which affected his balance. One by one, he gradually lost his ability to participate in all the activities that he loved to do. He tried very hard to remain active and continue doing what he enjoyed, but bit by bit, his body failed him. Today is National Parkinson’s Day. I wanted to take this opportunity to share my Papa’s story; someone who has been deeply affected by this horrible disease. It has been so hard to witness the significant physical limitations but even harder when his cognitive abilities started to decline 4 years. Papa now has moderate dementia, in addition to Parkinson’s. He has been living at a retirement home for the past year. Papa continued to fight back by going three times per week with my Mom to Rock Steady Boxing (a boxing program for people with Parkinson’s). He was doing really well until he experienced some new health setbacks and was recently hospitalized. Due to his increasing needs for care, he is currently waiting for the availability of a long-term care home.
It feels like my Papa is trapped in this sick body that doesn’t function properly any more. When I visit him, it seems like he recognizes me but often is unable to say my name. He has difficulty speaking; sometimes he can speak quite clearly, but often times he mumbles or says things that don’t make sense. It is really upsetting but I have learned to celebrate the small victories: when he smiles/laughs, when he successfully reads the title of the newspaper article, when he makes a comment that actually makes sense. Short-term memories quickly evaporate, and some long-term memories are fading as well, but he can still sing “You are my Sunshine” with my Mom. My Papa is still in there somewhere and I will continue to stand by him and love him. I tell him all the time that I love him. Most of the time, he doesn’t respond. One time, he replied “That’s nice”. And sometimes when I am really lucky, he says that he loves me too.
I have looked up to my Papa my whole life and that has not changed given his Parkinson’s and dementia. If you have a loved one with significantly reduced cognitive function, it can be difficult to spend time with them, as it can seem like they are a shadow of what they once were. At the beginning, I struggled to have one-sided conversations with my Papa but I continue to talk to him and share everything that is going on in my life. He is a great listener, even if he does not acknowledge me. My hope is that some of it gets through to him. I also like to read to him, and play dominoes with him when he’s having a good day. For those of you who have a loved one with Parkinson’s, dementia or any other debilitating disease, I encourage you to just be with them. Being present with them is enough.
Thirteen years ago, Papa was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and things started to change. He developed tremors which affected his balance. One by one, he gradually lost his ability to participate in all the activities that he loved to do. He tried very hard to remain active and continue doing what he enjoyed, but bit by bit, his body failed him. Today is National Parkinson’s Day. I wanted to take this opportunity to share my Papa’s story; someone who has been deeply affected by this horrible disease. It has been so hard to witness the significant physical limitations but even harder when his cognitive abilities started to decline 4 years. Papa now has moderate dementia, in addition to Parkinson’s. He has been living at a retirement home for the past year. Papa continued to fight back by going three times per week with my Mom to Rock Steady Boxing (a boxing program for people with Parkinson’s). He was doing really well until he experienced some new health setbacks and was recently hospitalized. Due to his increasing needs for care, he is currently waiting for the availability of a long-term care home.
It feels like my Papa is trapped in this sick body that doesn’t function properly any more. When I visit him, it seems like he recognizes me but often is unable to say my name. He has difficulty speaking; sometimes he can speak quite clearly, but often times he mumbles or says things that don’t make sense. It is really upsetting but I have learned to celebrate the small victories: when he smiles/laughs, when he successfully reads the title of the newspaper article, when he makes a comment that actually makes sense. Short-term memories quickly evaporate, and some long-term memories are fading as well, but he can still sing “You are my Sunshine” with my Mom. My Papa is still in there somewhere and I will continue to stand by him and love him. I tell him all the time that I love him. Most of the time, he doesn’t respond. One time, he replied “That’s nice”. And sometimes when I am really lucky, he says that he loves me too.
I have looked up to my Papa my whole life and that has not changed given his Parkinson’s and dementia. If you have a loved one with significantly reduced cognitive function, it can be difficult to spend time with them, as it can seem like they are a shadow of what they once were. At the beginning, I struggled to have one-sided conversations with my Papa but I continue to talk to him and share everything that is going on in my life. He is a great listener, even if he does not acknowledge me. My hope is that some of it gets through to him. I also like to read to him, and play dominoes with him when he’s having a good day. For those of you who have a loved one with Parkinson’s, dementia or any other debilitating disease, I encourage you to just be with them. Being present with them is enough.
Velocity Finals Fund Recap
On March 30th Marlena Books pitched in the Velocity Fund 25k Finals at the University of Waterloo! We were blown away by the quality of the pitches the other finalists presented and had a wonderful time getting to know the other teams throughout the process. We are so honoured and humbled to be one of the four 25k winners along with the teams from Emagin, Gamelynx, and Serenity Bioworks. Thank you to everyone who supported us leading up to the event, and took the time to come and watch us in-person or online. Special thanks to our supporters from The Centre for Peace Advancement, St. Paul's Greenhouse, and the Velocity Garage, your mentorship prepared us to deliver a winning pitch! If you did not get a chance to watch us on Thursday you can rewatch the pitch!
Thanks again for the support, we are excited to further our work and to see what the future has in store for us!
Why Exercise is Good for Your Mental Health
Here are a few reasons why exercise is great for improving mental wellbeing!
Forget - Me - Not
Spring time is coming! Here are some activities you can do with your loved ones with dementia!
Healthcare Students and Dementia
Today on the blog we’re taking a look at healthcare students and dementia. It is important that nursing schools in Canada concentrate on geriatric care.