Dementia Education Archives - The Vicarage by the Sea

Advocating for the whole person living with dementia

A key tenant of The Vicarage philosophy is advocating for the whole person living with dementia. Advocating for a loved one living with dementia requires an understanding of the needs of the individual living with this dementing illness. By “whole person”, we aren’t just focusing on the disease and the diagnosis. We are also focusing… …Continue Reading

Person Centered Approach to Dementia Care

Julia Mehlman, Bowdoin College psychology major, shares her reflections on a Person Centered Approach to Dementia Care Julia Mehlman will graduate in May 2016 with a Bachelor of Psychology from Bowdoin College. For the past eight months, she has been volunteering at our dementia care home, The Vicarage by the Sea. She recently shared her reflections on… …Continue Reading

Person Centered Care for those living with Dementia

What Person Centered Care Should Really Look Like & Why it’s Important If you ask the staff at any nursing home or retirement facility whether they offer “person centered” dementia care, they will undoubtedly say yes. Person centered care, however, reveals itself differently depending on the organization’s philosophy. It is important to know what genuine and compassionate, person centered… …Continue Reading

Understanding Dementia: Q&A with Dr. Wigg

Understanding Dementia: What is dementia? Dementia is a syndrome that comprises any number of different symptoms that people live with. The most common symptom people associate with dementia are challenges with memory and confusion, but it can also include challenges with physical ability and movement, the use of language, control of emotions and communication. Cognition… …Continue Reading

Dementia Doesn't Define a Person

“While Alzheimer’s creates challenges for those who live with it – and for their loved ones who watch them endure it – dementia should never define a person, or lead them to believe they ought to just give up and submit to it. From its early stages and for as long as possible, those living with Alzheimer’s owe it… …Continue Reading

Live in Your Loved One's Reality instead of Challenging it

We would like to share this New York Times Opinion column, “My Mother, Lost and Found” with you because it shares our passion for living in the reality of someone with memory loss, rather than trying to change or challenge it. It was Ellen who taught me how to talk to Mom in this new phase of… …Continue Reading

Questions to Ask when Considering Memory Care

Placing a loved one in a memory care home is a hard decision. Strong emotions intertwine in deciding how and where to place a loved one. You may be second-guessing the decision, worried that somehow you are breaking a promise to your loved one. You may be feeling guilty that you can no longer care… …Continue Reading

Sundowner's Syndrome

Sundowner’s Syndrome is not uncommon among The Vicarage population. Challenges presented by increased anxiety and confusion later in the day occur daily. The “Top Ways to Ease Sundowning” from the article are excellent suggestions for coping with these challenges. What follows are examples of how The Vicarage utilizes these “Top Ways.” The Vicarage works hard… …Continue Reading

The Vicarage: A Skilled Memory Care Facility

Selecting a Memory Care Facility Making the choice to send a loved one to a memory care facility is not an easy decision or one that should be taken lightly. There are many factors to consider, such as the level of care provided, transitions your family member might have to make as their disease progresses, how much it… …Continue Reading

Honoring the Normalization of Dementia

Commentary on Could 2015 Become The Year of The “New Normal”? Published by Dr. Al Power, ChangingAging Contributor on December 19, 2014 Since the opening of The Vicarage doors, we have been honoring the normalization of dementia it is written in our mission statement.. “The Vicarage setting creates a culture of dementia by embracing and respecting… …Continue Reading

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