Fall Into Self Care

Fall Into Self Care Serene Suites This weekend marks the end of Daylight Savings – which means we fall back and get an extra hour!   To celebrate that extra hour, we wanted to provide you with a timely reminder to do something for YOU. (Read that again, for YOU – not the person living… Continue reading Fall Into Self Care

4 Tips for Getting Dad a Meaningful Gift

4 Tips for Getting Dad a Meaningful Gift Serene Suites Digital Photo Frame–  Sometimes with brain change, less is more. Instead of a giant, antiquated photo book why not delight dad with a digital photo frame! You can load the frame with a variety of photos that will rotate, so he gets hundreds of photos… Continue reading 4 Tips for Getting Dad a Meaningful Gift

Four Tips to Ensure Successful Visits with those Living with Dementia

Four Tips to Ensure Successful Visits with those Living with Dementia Serene Suites First and foremost, stay as calm as possible! Your energy will be absorbed in and will be contagious, especially for those living with dementia. What value does it bring to the time spent together if you insist on bringing them into your… Continue reading Four Tips to Ensure Successful Visits with those Living with Dementia

Less is More – How Simplicity Helps Dementia Sufferers

Less is More – How Simplicity Helps Dementia Sufferers Serene Suites It is hard to imagine what a loved one with dementia is experiencing at any time. Yes, there are simulations that provide a realistic view of what life with dementia is like, but no simulation goes 24/7, 365 days a year. As a caretaker,… Continue reading Less is More – How Simplicity Helps Dementia Sufferers

The Stigma of Language in Alzheimer’s and Dementia

The Stigma of Language in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Serene Suites I’m a language person. Language is important. It not only defines how people see us but ultimately how we view ourselves. It allows us to communicate with others, and can impact stigma and discrimination. It has the potential to promote and empower, enable and increase… Continue reading The Stigma of Language in Alzheimer’s and Dementia

“Behavioral Problems” in Alzheimer’s and Dementia: When to Worry and When to Let Go

“Behavioral Problems” in Alzheimer’s and Dementia: When to Worry and When to Let Go Serene Suites Alzheimer’s disease and its related dementias can be unpredictable and perplexing. I often meet families who are desperate to fix a loved one’s “behavior.” I rarely use the phrase “behavior” because it implies that there is wrongdoing on the… Continue reading “Behavioral Problems” in Alzheimer’s and Dementia: When to Worry and When to Let Go

Living with Dementia? 10 Tips to Encourage Eating and Drinking

Living with Dementia? 10 Tips to Encourage Eating and Drinking Serene Suites In my family, we had a tradition on New Year’s to offer a toast. Simply “clinking” our glasses together prompted all of us to gulp down our beverages of choice. For us young kids, it was fancy grape juice.  My grandfather would accompany… Continue reading Living with Dementia? 10 Tips to Encourage Eating and Drinking

Alzheimer’s and Dementia: When Do You Need to Take Over?

Alzheimer’s and Dementia: When Do You Need to Take Over? Serene Suites So many family caregivers say “But mom/dad/aunt/brother/spouse will not let me…” Take the car Move them into a care community Pay the bills for them Take over the healthcare Power of Attorney Send caregivers to the house Do the grocery shopping Make any… Continue reading Alzheimer’s and Dementia: When Do You Need to Take Over?

Responding Instead of Reacting; Tips for Dementia Care While In Crisis

Responding Instead of Reacting; Tips for Dementia Care While In Crisis Serene Suites Consider these educational tips when you are at home under quarantine, and also being a caregiver to someone living with dementia. In a time where restrictions and recommendations are coming fast, it is important to consider that the majority of people living… Continue reading Responding Instead of Reacting; Tips for Dementia Care While In Crisis