This is the Dementia Care Partner Talk Show, a podcast to help you navigate the senior care maze. Learn and laugh with us as we discuss creative solutions and ideas to common and uncommon dementia care challenges, and how to make sense of the senior care industry and options even if you're not a professional. Are you caring for a person living with dementia? We would love to hear from you! Send us a note at info@teepasnow.com and tell us what you'd like for us to discuss! You can also visit ...
…
continue reading
New podcast weblog
…
continue reading
If you are living with someone who has Alzheimer’s, dementia, confusion or memory loss, you know just how difficult the simple act of communication can be between you and your loved one. Susan Kohler, author of How to Communicate with Alzheimer’s, is host of Innovative Dementia Care, a program designed to help you, the caregiver learn about the communication process, why it is so important in caregiving, the problems in communication, and useful techniques to facilitate communication that wi ...
…
continue reading
Making sense of the confusing world of elderly care so you can help those you hold dearest to live well later in life.
…
continue reading
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 tu…
…
continue reading
Hello and welcome to The Care and Dementia Podcast! I’m your host, Gemma Clay, and today we have a truly inspiring guest joining us. Natalie Carter is a passionate podcaster and a dedicated advocate for dementia awareness and caregiving. Her journey into this space is deeply personal—having cared for her Nan, who had dementia, Natalie saw firsthand…
…
continue reading
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-esc…
…
continue reading
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 …
…
continue reading
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…
…
continue reading
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 …
…
continue reading
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 lear…
…
continue reading
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…
…
continue reading
"Hello, and welcome to The Care and Dementia Show! I’m your host Gemma Clay, and I’m delighted to have you with us today. In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most crucial topics for families everywhere: choosing suitable elderly care. If you’ve started thinking about care support for a loved one—or even for yourself—you probably have ques…
…
continue reading
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.…
…
continue reading
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…
…
continue reading
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 C…
…
continue reading
Hello and welcome to The Care and Dementia Show! I’m your host, Gemma Clay, and I’m so glad you’ve joined us for another thought-provoking episode. Today, we’re exploring a deeply important and often overlooked topic: Dementia and the African Caribbean Community. Dementia doesn’t discriminate, but it does disproportionately affect some communities …
…
continue reading
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.…
…
continue reading
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.
…
continue reading
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 abo…
…
continue reading
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 pe…
…
continue reading
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 epi…
…
continue reading
Most of us are good at picking up cues when someone is in an agitated state. But when happens when the person that is agitated has dementia? Their brain changes means they're unable to effectively communicate what is causing their agitation. What we can as care partners do then, to de-escalate a potentially bad situation? Stay tuned to find out. To…
…
continue reading
After almost a century, a gentleman ran out of money and was forced to move out of the facility where he had been living. This week, Teepa and Greg discuss how a broken system led to such a sad situation. But there are some states and countries that are working to change that. Join us to learn what contributions we can make. To learn more about Pos…
…
continue reading
But at the same time, it is incredibly fragile. This week, Greg addresses how some headlines can be misleading while Teepa helps us to understand why easy or quick fixes can do more harm than good. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com.
…
continue reading
Have you ever told anyone that? Chances are you said it while talking about an exciting or funny moment you experienced. Being in person for an event holds a level of energy and excitement that does not translate over into the virtual world. That's why this week, Teepa and Greg discuss why seeing Teepa in-person makes learning so much more powerful…
…
continue reading
Hello and welcome to The Care & Dementia Podcast! I’m your host, Gemma Clay, and today we’re diving into a topic that every carer needs to think about: the legal aspects of care. If you’ve ever wondered what happens if a loved one loses the capacity to make their own decisions, or what the consequences are if someone passes away without a valid wil…
…
continue reading
Whether it's a hurricane, an earthquake, or another type of natural disaster, what are some practical things we can do to prepare as best we can? Join us this week as Teepa discusses some helpful tips. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com.
…
continue reading
Diving into a sensitive topic for most of us, this week Teepa and Greg address why someone living with brain change might not realize their personal hygiene is lacking and how we can approach it without ruining the relationship. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com.…
…
continue reading
Hello, and welcome to the Care and Dementia Podcast, where we dive deep into the topics that matter most when it comes to caring for your loved ones. I’m your host, Gemma Clay, and today we’re exploring an incredibly important and often difficult subject—end of life care, and how to empower both you and your family when navigating this delicate tim…
…
continue reading
Grieving the loss of a loved one is a truly delicate situation to talk about with someone. Now imagine how much more difficult that can be when the other person is living with brain change. In this week's episode, Teepa demonstrates how she would assess a person living with brain change when they ask about someone that has passed. To learn more abo…
…
continue reading
If your surgeon only watched videos on how to perform successful surgeries but never did any hands-on exercises, how comfortable would you be to undergo a lengthy procedure? The same concept applies to our care partners. If they're not equipped with a certain level of practical, hands-on skills when working with people living with dementia, the end…
…
continue reading

1
How to support children living in a family affected by dementia - with Hannah Gardner of Dementia UK
43:49
"Hello, and welcome to The Care & Dementia Podcast! I'm your host, Gemma Clay, and in today's episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s so important but often overlooked – how to support children and young people living in families affected by dementia. Did you know that by 2025, one million people will be living with dementia in the UK? Many of th…
…
continue reading
Digging into a topic that has already led to negative results, this week Teepa and Greg discuss the challenges that arise when people living with brain change related to drug or alcohol abuse are mixed in with people living with dementia. Rather than focus on the bad side however, Teepa discusses what actions are needed instead. To learn more about…
…
continue reading
Bridging the gap between how to make a visit more likely to be positive and knowing about a person's history and preferences, this week's episode explores the misconception that dementia is a static disability. Just because mom used to like a certain hobby before, does not mean that she will continue to like it during her dementia journey. Learn ab…
…
continue reading

1
The validation technique - with Vicki de Klerk, Executive Director of the Validation Training Institute
58:36
Welcome to the Care and Dementia Podcast! I’m your host, Gemma Clay. Today, we’re diving into a topic that touches the hearts of many caregivers: navigating the daily challenges of supporting a loved one with dementia or cognitive decline. Caring for someone with dementia can often leave you feeling uncertain, especially when it comes to correcting…
…
continue reading
In a topic that might surprise some, Teepa and Greg discuss a phenomena where the adult children of a person living with dementia move back home and eventually take control of everything, including their home. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com.
…
continue reading
This week, Teepa and Greg discuss how the wide range in research being conducted and how it compares to research being done with dementia care in mind. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com.
…
continue reading
During the progression of dementia, wandering is likely to become an issue for the person living with dementia and their families. Is the reason always because they're wanting to get away, or could it be due to something else? Join us this week as Teepa and Greg discuss this important topic. Interested in learning how to start and have positive int…
…
continue reading
Hello, and welcome to another episode of The Care and Dementia Podcast. I'm your host, Gemma Clay, and today we’re diving into a topic that affects many families across the UK: young onset dementia. It's estimated that almost 71,000 people in the UK who have dementia are under the age of 65. This condition, known as young onset dementia, can manife…
…
continue reading
According to recent research, there are over 100 forms, types, and causes of dementia. This means that dementia does not always present itself as memory problems. So to become 'dementia friendly', we have to make an earnest effort to understand what that truly means. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com.…
…
continue reading
Generally speaking, helping others in need is second nature for most of us. But with dementia, sometimes our offer for help doesn't actually help. One switch we can make for example is instead of saying, "mom, you need my help", we should say, "hey mom, I could really use your help with something." To learn more about how we can offer support to so…
…
continue reading
This week Teepa and Greg discuss situations where at first, a facility will say "yes" and admit someone, only to turn around and say "no" at the first sign of trouble. Learn why a radical shift in how we care for and support people living with dementia is needed now. To learn more about Positive Approach to Care, visit: www.teepasnow.com…
…
continue reading
How we view food varies from person-to-person. Some of us eat to survive while others survive to eat. That's why visual appeal and texture should then be taken into account in food preparation at all GEMS® states. Join us this week as we discuss this important aspect of life for people living with brain change. To learn more about Positive Approach…
…
continue reading

1
Financial benefits for caregivers (what am I entitled to?!) - with Rob Sherratt of Dementia Carers Count
52:47
Welcome to The Care and Dementia Podcast. I’m your host, Gemma Clay. On today’s show we’re tackling an issue that leaves many of us confused and even despairing at times - the financial benefits available to caregivers. This can be a complex subject to navigate just at the time when you’re flat out caring for a loved one. Finances, figures, forms -…
…
continue reading
Fresh off her recent trip across the pond, Teepa and Greg talk about the current state of dementia care. What did Teepa learn and what were some things that caught her attention? Tune in this week to find out. To learn more about Positive Approach to care, visit: www.teepasnow.com
…
continue reading
As technological capabilities continue to advance further and further, we see huge potential benefits. But as a double-edge sword, there are also bad actors that use technologies such as deep fakes and AI voice generators to commit sophisticated scams and frauds. What steps can we take to help minimize the chances of us and our loved ones from fall…
…
continue reading

1
How The Beatles and Sir Geoff Hurst unlocked the joy of reading for people with dementia - with Matt Singleton of Cognitive Books
41:27
Welcome to The Care and Dementia Podcast. I’m your host, Gemma Clay, founder of Sweet Pea Care, and today, we’re diving into a fascinating topic: reading and dementia. You might have heard the claim, “People with dementia can’t read anymore.” But is this really true? In today’s episode we’ll debunk this and many other myths surrounding dementia and…
…
continue reading
Elder abuse, like other forms of abuse, is likely way more prevalent than we are given to understand. This week, Teepa and Greg talk over how some cases of elder abuse stem from already existing, unhealthy relationships. What can we do and how can we spot potential elder abuse are questions that are covered in this episode. Learn more about Positiv…
…
continue reading
Some people are collectors. They collect valuable items because it brings them fulfillment. But what happens it's no longer special editions lining the shelves but rather newspapers dating back several years? What strategies can we take to avoid putting them on the defensive? Join us this week and let's learn together. Learn more about Positive App…
…
continue reading

1
Is it safe for my loved one with dementia to live at home? - with Beth Britton of D4Dementia
56:47
Welcome to The Care & Dementia podcast! I'm your host, Gemma Clay, the founder of Sweet Pea Care, and today we're diving into an incredibly important topic: "Is it safe for my loved one with dementia to live at home?" If you're a caregiver for someone with dementia, you know how crucial it is to ensure their safety and well-being, especially if the…
…
continue reading
Hi, I’m Gemma Clay, Founder of Sweet Pea Care. Welcome to The Care & Dementia Podcast - a show where we take a closer look at all aspects of later life care so we can help our loved ones live better for longer. On today’s show I’m excited to be joined by Beth Britton, an award-winning dementia author and campaigner. Beth cared for her dad with vasc…
…
continue reading
This week, Teepa and Greg discuss the connection between women living longer and the lack of programming aimed at male residents in skilled care facilities. Taking into account potential groups that residents belonged to earlier in their lives, how can engagement leaders use programs that cater those needs in a productive, upbuilding way? Stay tune…
…
continue reading
Welcome back to "The Care and Dementia Podcast," I’m your host, Gemma Clay, founder of Sweet Pea Care. Today, we're addressing an issue that many caregivers face – falls and the fear of falling. Statistics show that half of people over 80 will experience at least one fall a year, and two-thirds of them will fall again within 12 months. Those number…
…
continue reading