Catherine Verner's Blog

Many of us have heard the term “caregiver burnout” – a term that refers to a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion.  A condition in which we become wholly depleted by our caring role.   Although we may accept the trials and tribulations of caring for our loved ones, many of us will deny the […]

The post Taking Control: A Positive Change of Mindset to Avoid Burnout appeared first on Dementia Care at Home.

Finding ways to enhance the well-being and quality of life of people with dementia is vital.  As research continues to focus on new promising pharmacological solutions, putting measures in place, such as Creative Art Therapy, to promote enrichment and enablement in the lives of those living with a diagnosis is important. In recent years, there […]

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There’s a lot of talk these days about “living in the present moment”. Many books explore the topic thoroughly, giving us insight into promoting the benefits of living each moment fully.  Being present in the moment all sounds great on paper. But how can you accomplish this if you lead a busy life? This is […]

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Much of the focus on “living well with dementia” has concentrated on the importance of an indoor home environment. However, research shows that interaction within the local neighbourhood, community, and outdoor environment is vital for all age groups. This includes people with dementia, providing meaning and ongoing feelings of belonging and staying connected. Creating a […]

The post Community and Neighbourhood: Helping your loved one stay connected appeared first on Dementia Care at Home.

When people receive a diagnosis of dementia, they can often become frightened of what the future may bring.  A large part of this revolves around personal identity and sense of self. It involves who they are as a person and whether this will slip away as cognitive abilities decline.  It is, therefore, not surprising that […]

The post Reminiscence Therapy: Sparking Memories, Re-kindling Connection, Igniting Well-being appeared first on Dementia Care at Home.

“Family and Friends are uncomfortable and say they don’t know how to behave ‘normally’ around me anymore – they didn’t really give our relationship a chance to move forward.” Receiving a diagnosis of dementia in the family is a life-changing event, both for the person with the new diagnosis and the family as a whole. Facing […]

The post Dementia Together: Why Connection is Key appeared first on Dementia Care at Home.

There is currently no cure for dementia. Therefore, it is essential to maintain a good quality of life for those with a diagnosis.  Quality of life can be defined as ‘the standard of health, comfort, and happiness experienced by an individual (or group)‘.  For all of us, this is multi-dimensional. Subjective experiences take a front […]

The post Spiritual Care: Finding Peace, Contentment, and Acceptance. appeared first on Dementia Care at Home.

Dementia and sleep problems often go hand in hand. Scientists do not fully understand why this happens. However, they agree that it results from the changes to the brain caused by the diseases associated with dementia.  When your loved one with dementia doesn’t sleep well, you probably don’t get enough sleep either. Change in sleeping […]

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In the UK, about two-thirds of people with dementia live at home. They hope to remain involved in daily, meaningful activities, enjoy good family relationships, and generally “just get on with life”.  Many people with dementia have family members keen to support them in achieving this.  It is the wish and hope of everyone to […]

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Introduction The term “person-centred” care is a phrase that has been used for some time now and is synonymous with quality care.  Originally introduced as a more holistic approach to care, it is often used to describe care for people with dementia.  Reflecting on this idea and how it applies to caring for family members […]

The post Person-Centred Care in Dementia: A Myth or Reality? Taking a (W)Holistic Approach when Caring at Home. appeared first on Dementia Care at Home.