1. Living with Memory Changes
Interdisciplinary Community-Based Health Education for Diverse Elders.
Project Funded by: HRSA Grant# 1 D37 HP
Long Island University/Brooklyn Campus
Prof. Luis F. Riquelme, MS, CCC-SLP
Prof. Ellen Greer, MA, OTR/L, CPsyA
Prof. Ellen Godwin, MS, PCS, PT
Prof. Rebecca States, PhD
Assoc. Dean William Susman, PhD, PT

2. Living with Memory Changes
Review definition: Dementia
Define: Caregiver

3. Living with Memory Changes
10 Signs of Caregiver Stress:
1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Social withdrawal
4. Anxiety
5. Depression

4. Living with Memory Changes
10 Signs of Caregiver Stress:(cont’d)
6. Exhaustion
7. Sleeplessness
8. Irritability
9. Lack of concentration
10. Health problems

5. Living with Memory Changes
10 Commandments of caring for someone with Dementia:
Never ARGUE, instead, AGREE
Never REASON, instead, DIVERT.
Never SHAME, instead, DISTRACT.
Never LECTURE, instead, REASSURE.
Never “REMEMBER”, instead, REMINISCE.

6. Living with Memory Changes
10 Commandments of caring for someone with Dementia: (cont’d)
Never “I TOLD YOU,” instead, REPEAT.
Never “YOU CAN’T,” instead, “DO WHAT YOU CAN.”
Never COMMAND OR DEMAND, instead, ASK OR MODEL.
Never CONDESCEND, instead, ENCOURAGE OR PRAISE.
Never FORCE, instead, REINFORCE.

7. Living with Memory Changes
Understanding difficult behaviors
Repetitive actions
Aggressive behaviors
Suspicious thoughts
Recognition difficulties
Anxiety

8. Living with Memory Changes
Tips for responding to difficult behaviors:
Stay calm and be understanding
Be patient and flexible
Respond to the emotion, not the behavior
Don’t argue or try to convince
Acknowledge requests and respond to them

9. Living with Memory Changes
Tips for responding to difficult behaviors:
Accept the behavior as a reality of the disease
Explore various solutions
Don’t take behaviors personally
Talk to others
Find time for yourself

10. Living with Memory Changes
Daily Living Solutions
Memory Aids
Care at home AND at residential facilities
Safe Return Program

11. Living with Memory Changes
Q & A
Questions and Answers