Adviser Summer 2016 Vol 1 | Page 21

I Am Who I Was But I’m Different Energetic and passionate, dementia care and training specialist Teepa Snow opened the morning session of her full-day, preconference intensive talking about the person, the human being. Why do They do THAT? Understanding Symptoms and Behaviors is a fundamental question asked by those who care for and love these individuals. Why do those living with dementia do what they do? It’s complicated. Only two out of 10 people suffering with the disease recognize they have it. This incurable, tragic assault on a person’s brain causes physical and mental changes that will eventually kill everyone living with it. When interviewed, those in the early stages of this disease say, “I am a person first. I am not demented. I am a person living with dementia.” Science classifies the disease as neuro-cognitive degeneration. But for those suffering with dementia, the scientific terminology can’t explain the human toll it takes on caregivers and patients alike. In the afternoon session, “Reframing Challenging Behaviors When Dementia is in the Picture,” Ms. Snow had attendees on their feet and participating in role-play activities to put them in the shoes of the patient. She reminded everyone that angry behavior is actually sadness and at its core is the feeling, “I am not getting something I need. I can’t understand why all this is happening.” The people are in emotional pain. She emphasized, never underestimate the desperation of someone with dementia to get out of the emotional pain. By the end of the afternoon session, the message was clear: These are people who had hopes, dreams and lives. They matter. leadingageny.org The things they love and loved, matter to them. They are living in bodies they don’t recognize anymore, all they know is something is different and there is nothing they can do to change it. She encouraged everyone to take the time to learn who these people are and were. As different as fingerprints, their personality and past make up the individual you see before you. Get to know them and you will be able to help ease the pain they live with every day of not knowing who they are now. In the Winter issue of Adviser we will share many more stories and helpful ideas from Teepa’s presentations as we offer specific things you can do as you live, and work, with these challenging, complicated, lost and suffering people. 20