The U.S. Alzheimer’s Association provides critically important support services, education, programs, and referral services to countless individuals living with dementia, their families, and care professionals. It is making a real and meaningful difference in the lives of these people. However, over the years, the association engaged in a series of unhelpful and harmful activities for […]| ChangingAging
The phenomenon of harmful resident-to-resident incidents in long-term care homes is largely invisible. While over 40 studies examined it to date, the voice of family members of residents who died after being injured during these incidents remains mute. The blog post aims to make first steps in bridging this knowledge gap and encourage action to address this phenomenon and keep residents safe.| ChangingAging
The story is told from the perspective of a 10-years-old African American girl about her grandmother who lives in advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease in a nursing home. The granddaughter is told that there is no point of visiting her grandmother because "she is no longer there." Her love for her grandma compels her to visit her. Their visits may help shift perceptions from stigma to hope.| ChangingAging
For decades, it has been very difficult to gain access to completed mistreatment investigation reports in Minnesota long-term care homes. Elder Care IQ was developed to bridge this major gap. The article described 50 reasons why this new online tool is needed.| ChangingAging
Often when we tell people we lead short-term groups for people living with dementia, care providers, and friends and family, we get comments such, “Oh, that must be so difficult and painful!” We’re not surprised, since traditional psychology views dementia as a tragedy for everyone involved. Our work challenges this narrative and offers the possibility of emotional growth for everyone involved.| ChangingAging
“By not asking for the data to which we are entitled, we sacrifice our ability to learn what our government is doing. Real transparency is more than waiting for the government to hand out data to us. Real transparency involves demanding data from the government and fighting, if necessary, to force the government to provide […]| ChangingAging
A poem about the Alzheimer's drug Aduhelm and Medicare's upcoming (April 11 2022) final coverage decision| ChangingAging
Like age, service is structured in consciousness. That is, the quality of our service depends on our connection to pure awareness and to shadow awareness. Our stage of awareness determines how and why we serve. It colors our hidden motivations to heed the call or to deny the call. If our ego’s agenda is to […]| ChangingAging
* A reflection on STAT article: Joseph, A. (June 16, 2021). Q&A: The CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association on the approval of Aduhelm – and why critics should stop dwelling on the decision. Link: https://www.statnews.com/2021/06/16/qa-ceo-alzheimers-association-on-aduhelm/ A lot has been said and written in recent weeks about the FDA controversial approval of the drug Aduhelm and the […]| ChangingAging
Sunday, Jun. 27th on zoom join Dr. Bill Thomas and discuss Aging Magnificently. Get the book and sign -up here Excerpt from Aging Magnificently We are living inside a miracle. Compared to all the people who ever lived, we are the most likely to live a long and healthful life. If we have even a […]| ChangingAging
This post highlights the principles underlying Elderwise Spirit-Centered Care and provides examples of how we can support spiritual development as we care for elders who have dementia.| ChangingAging
More than a decade ago, I made a shift in the work I do because of one simple equation: There are more than 54 million Americans over 65 in the U.S., and only 7,000 geriatricians like me and Dr. Bill Thomas —medical doctors who specialize in treating older adults. (And only half of us practice […]| ChangingAging
My personal experience with ageism as a writer and content provider.| ChangingAging
Reflective journals while temporarily living in an institutional dementia care setting.| ChangingAging
This is the second of three posts from Sandy Sabersky, co-founder of Elderwise, and Ruth Neuwald Falcon, co-authors of The Elderwise Way: A Different Approach to Life with Dementia. It focuses on the sense of wholeness, a key aspect of The Elderwise Way: Spirit-Centered Care. Paintings by Elderwise Program participants.| ChangingAging
By Sandy Sabersky, co-founder of Elderwise, and Ruth Neuwald Falcon, co-authors of The Elderwise Way: A Different Approach to Life with Dementia. This blog starts with Sandy’s experience, what she has learned from her many years of work with people who have dementia, and introduces the foundation of Elderwise Spirit-Centered Care. Paintings by Elderwise program participants.| ChangingAging
Reflective journals while temporarily living in an institutional dementia care setting.| ChangingAging
Some assisted living residences (ALR) provide good and safe care to elders. Most directors of admissions are honest and caring. However, a substantial portion of ALR provide poor and dangerous care and use deceptive marketing practices. This poem is based on the devastating experiences of hundreds of families whose loved ones were neglected, abused, and financially exploited in ALR in Minnesota.| ChangingAging
Reflective journals while temporarily living in an institutional dementia care setting.| ChangingAging
A description of the chorus and the way it has altered its activities due to the Coronavirus pandemic.| ChangingAging
The blog post describes the potential implications of not having the voice of elders an integral part of decisions about their care and life.| ChangingAging
In order for me to gain some firsthand experience of what it is like to live in an institutional dementia care setting, I arranged with the administration of a nursing home in the area for me to be admitted as a “resident” without the care staff knowing that I did not have dementia. These are some reflections on my five day stay.| ChangingAging
An honest exploration of what it can feel like to navigate the aging process in a world that celebrates anti-aging.| ChangingAging
