Is early onset dementia becoming more common, or are we just getting better at spotting it? Could our modern lifestyle of isolation, poor air quality, and sedentary living be quietly damaging our brains? This week, Teepa and Greg explore this complex puzzle and tackles the heartbreaking question of how we care for those our current system has failed. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com .
Jun 27, 2025•12 min•Season 1Ep. 310
During an eye-opening conversation, Teepa reveals why so many care facilities fail people with dementia - and it's not because residents are difficult , but because staff aren't trained to understand what people with dementia are really trying to communicate. She shares a powerful example of how one simple conversation completely transformed a problem resident's care in just one day. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com ....
Jun 22, 2025•12 min•Season 1Ep. 309
What if a rare disease could take someone from living independently to needing full-time care in just 3-5 years, yet most people have never heard of it? In this eye-opening episode, dementia expert Teepa Snow explains PSP (Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy) - the "freezing disease" that causes dangerous backward falls, makes people get stuck mid-movement, and is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson's. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com ....
Jun 13, 2025•13 min•Season 1Ep. 308
Some of us have sat through brutal 4-hour training sessions that you struggle to remembers by lunch - but Teepa figured out how to change that. In our newest video release, Accepting the Challenge, she breaks down her person-centered approach using real people in real situations, plus she discusses why breaking everything down into tiny pieces might be the secret to getting dementia care right. To learn more about Accepting the Challenge, Click Here . To learn more about Positive Approach to Car...
Jun 06, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 307
There's a tremendous decline that we're currently standing on the edge of: the amount of direct care professionals in the senior care industry. Contrast that with the number of people one studies suggests will be diagnosed with dementia in the US (13,000), and we begin to see the problem. How did this happen and what can we potentially do now? Stay tuned to find out. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com .
May 30, 2025•8 min•Season 1Ep. 306
Is there a way for us to intervene or investigate a situation that we believe might be elder abuse? Tackling this extremely sensitive topic, Teepa explores how outcomes can dramatically change with some skill development and awareness on our end. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com .
May 23, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 305
Opening what could be a can of worms, Teepa and Greg talk about how depression may or may not be what we think it is in someone that is living with dementia. Together, we can learn to respond and not react to difficult dementia care situations. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com .
May 16, 2025•8 min•Season 1Ep. 304
Chances are high that if you're listening this podcast, you or someone you care for has a dementia diagnosis, and you're looking to learn more about what to expect. This week, Teepa and Greg caution against some potential pitfalls when searching for resources, while also giving us a few ideas of places we can check out. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com .
May 09, 2025•7 min•Season 1Ep. 303
When we hear someone using profanity, it's normal to think that they're being willing aggressive. But here's the thing when dementia is in the picture: as someone progresses, their primitive part of the brain takes control. This means that while we can choose when not to say something nice, with dementia, that ability is affected. Stay tuned to learn more about what shifts we can make to have more positive outcomes. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com ....
May 02, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 302
When a person is living with dementia, they are likely to do things that someone without dementia wouldn't, like put items into their purse instead of into a shopping cart. This could then lead to them being accused of shoplifting where the authorities are asked to step in. And if no one stops to think if it could be dementia that caused that situation, then things could go sideways real fast. Tune in this week to learn a potential alternate to how this story could go when we have just a little ...
Apr 25, 2025•10 min•Season 1Ep. 301
In other words, contrary to what some TV medical dramas may portray in a 30-minute episode, diagnoses for a form of dementia is not a one-size fits all solution. While it's true that our ancestry may play a part in us potentially developing a form of dementia, there are other factors that we may not have considered. Stay tuned this week as Teepa and Greg discuss how we can start thinking about dementia gradually rather than all at once. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.t...
Apr 18, 2025•8 min•Season 1Ep. 300
If given the choice, would you prefer someone to approach you while you're facing away from them or while they're in your field of vision? Most of us would say the latter is the preferred way. Why? Because then you're prepared to interact with the other person instead of them catching you by surprise. This doesn't change when someone begins to develop a form of dementia. That's why building own skill and awareness is so important, as Teepa and Greg discuss in this week's episode. To learn more a...
Apr 11, 2025•8 min•Season 1Ep. 299
Referencing an article that focused a minimum amount of minutes to be spent with residents, Teepa and Greg discuss how focusing on the wrong aspect of care contributes to the devaluation of time. For example, focusing on nurturing and maintaining relationships is more beneficial for a person-centered culture of care. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com .
Apr 04, 2025•10 min•Season 1Ep. 298
Why would you want to experience what living with dementia is like? One word: perspective. Having a better understanding of what brain change translates to in the real world can help give us patience, comprehension, and compassion. Tune in this week as Teepa and Greg discuss what these changes might look and sound like. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com .
Mar 28, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 297
If you have been fortunate, this week's episode title might be confusing. If you have recently received a text message warning you about "unpaid tolls", then this episode will be of interest to you if you're caring for a person living with dementia that has access to any form of technology. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com .
Mar 21, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 296
This week, Teepa caught up with April Kohnen, the owner and Director of Griswold Home Care of North San Diego to see what were some of the challenges they encountered on their way to achieving their Aware-level Organization Designation. What does an award like this demonstrate and why do we want to see more organizations to also achieve it? Stay tuned to find out! To learn more about Griswold, visit: www.griswold.com . To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com ....
Mar 18, 2025•18 min•Season 1Ep. 295
This week, Teepa and Greg discuss complications that can arise when a person living with dementia encounters a situation where emergency service personnel are required to step in. What can potentially go wrong if the person living with dementia mistakes them for bad guys and emergency services doesn't have the proper training or awareness to de-escalate the situation? Stay tuned to find out! To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com ....
Mar 07, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 294
It's easy for some of us to forget that before a person began developing a form of dementia, that they used to be another typical human being, with their own likes and dislikes. Taking stock of their history can therefore help us understand why a person that has always preferred baths over showers would present resistance if we tried to force them into an enclosed space with no clothes on. Join us for another episode as Teepa shares her strategies to building and sustaining positive relationship...
Feb 28, 2025•11 min•Season 1Ep. 293
Language does matter. Saying someone is demented versus saying they're living with dementia evoke two very different emotions. One is centered on loss and negativity while the other preserves the dignity of someone that is doing the best they can. Join us this week to learn what other language shifts we should consider making and why. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com .
Feb 21, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 292
Regardless of where you live, chances are good that you have been directly impacted by a natural disaster. Situations like that are scary enough, but what happens when you're also caring for a person living with dementia? How or what plans should we have in place before an emergency? Stay tuned to find out. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com .
Feb 17, 2025•8 min•Season 1Ep. 291
We hear you! Some of our listeners have mentioned that most of the topics we cover in this podcast are geared towards the child/parent spectrum, when in reality, we're seeing a lot of cases that involve spouses, siblings, and even children. So this week, Teepa and Greg briefly explore how these relationships change how we can approach care. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com .
Feb 07, 2025•11 min•Season 1Ep. 290
Last week Teepa and Greg discussed various questions that typically come up when someone is considering moving their person living with dementia into a care facility. This week, Teepa talks a huge consideration some folks might not even think about: what if a move will never be the right option for them? How would the family need to adjust then? To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com .
Jan 31, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 289
This episode tackles the tough question of knowing when it’s time to move a loved one into care. Teepa and Greg discuss the emotional challenges, practical considerations, and the importance of planning ahead to find the best solution for everyone involved. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com .
Jan 24, 2025•8 min•Season 1Ep. 288
This week's episode explores the complexities of dementia, emphasizing that it’s not a normal part of the aging process and involves many types and causes beyond Alzheimers disease. Teepa and Greg also discuss the importance of understanding how lifestyle choices can impact our brain health. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com .
Jan 17, 2025•8 min•Season 1Ep. 287
In this episode, Teepa and Greg explore the biggest challenges faced by dementia care partners, from wandering and resisting care to sleep issues and falls. They emphasize the importance of understanding behaviors, building relationships, and developing skills to provide better, more compassionate support. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com .
Jan 10, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 286
In this episode, Teepa and Greg look back at the past year in dementia care, sharing progress that was made and the challenges that still. They also offer practical tips for supporting loved ones and discuss what changes we might see in the year ahead. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com .
Jan 03, 2025•8 min•Season 1Ep. 285
This week, Teepa and Greg discuss simple ways to lower dementia risk and live a healthier life. From building routines to improving exercise, sleep, and diet, learn small changes that can make a big difference over time. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com .
Dec 27, 2024•10 min•Season 1Ep. 284
Exploring Teepa's method of using visual, verbal, and touch cues, this week we analyze how this approach can create meaningful and safe interactions with people that are living with dementia. Learn actionable techniques and insights learned from decades of experience to build trust, foster relationships, and avoid common pitfalls. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com .
Dec 20, 2024•12 min•Season 1Ep. 283
This week, Teepa and Greg explore the complexities of hoarding, particularly among persons experiencing brain changes like dementia. They discuss how hoarding behaviors often stem from deeper issues, such as the need for control or unrecognized brain health challenges. Teepa emphasizes shifting the focus from the environment to understanding the person and their needs, advocating for compassionate and innovative approaches to care. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepas...
Dec 13, 2024•9 min•Season 1Ep. 282
This week, Teepa shares her “8 S's” framework for creating meaningful and manageable holiday celebrations for people living with dementia. Emphasizing smaller, simpler gatherings with the right sensory and social environments, Teepa goes over how we balance satisfaction for everyone involved. With practical tips and a focus on flexibility, this episode offers guidance for joyful, stress-free holidays. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com ....
Dec 06, 2024•10 min•Season 1Ep. 281
