Meira Gross’ Post

Gift-Giving for a Loved One with Dementia: More Than a Gesture A gift is never just a gift—it’s a way to say, “I see you, I care, I’m here.” But when a loved one is living with dementia, even this simple act can feel complicated. What’s meaningful? What’s comforting? What truly makes a difference? The right gift, however, goes beyond the moment. It can spark a memory, deepen connection, or provide a sense of calm. To help, we’ve created a White Paper: Gift Suggestion Guide for Someone Living with Dementia. Inside, you’ll find thoughtful, carefully chosen ideas designed to enrich their days and honor the bond you share. Because the right gift isn’t just thoughtful—it’s timeless. DOWNLOAD HERE ⮕ https://zurl.co/WJGQ

When caring for a loved one with dementia, it's important to keep an open mind. Even if they never enjoyed certain activities in the past, their intuitive skills remain intact, allowing us to bring rich experiences to them through their senses. We’ve often heard companion’s loved ones say, “Oh, they won’t want to do that; they never liked it before.” Yet, with the right approach, many of these individuals end up enjoying the very activities they once avoided. This transformation happens because we understand how to work with dementia and meet the emotional needs of those experiencing it, as taught by The DAWN Method. Stay open to new possibilities—you might just discover new ways to bring joy and connection to your loved one’s life. On the blog, read more of our series on creating rich sensory and social experiences for those experiencing dementia.

Dementia Workshop Today, I attended an eye-opening dementia workshop with Janet Standifer of Dementia In Perspective LLC. We dove into the different types of dementia and their unique challenges. As a Seniors Real Estate Specialist, I know how important it is to understand the needs of my clients and their families—especially when navigating the complexities of real estate transactions. Knowledge like this helps me provide the care, patience, and understanding my clients deserve during life’s transitions. It’s not just about property; it’s about people, their stories, and their legacies. #DementiaAwareness #SeniorRealEstateSpecialist #RealEstateWithCare #KnowledgeIsPower #GenerationalWealth #ClientFirst 🧠🏡❤️

"New Year, New Me" – meaningful steps to support someone with dementia. For people living with dementia, January can be a great time to introduce small, positive changes that improve their well-being and comfort. Here are a few simple ideas to try this month: 🔨 Fix things around the house: Ensure the home is safe by repairing anything that could cause accidents. 🚶♂️➡️ Encourage walking: A short, regular walk can help build strength and prevent falls, improving overall health. 💅 Make them feel comfortable: A haircut, painted nails, or a relaxing pedicure can bring a sense of care and self-esteem. T 📚 ry new activities: Introduce a new game, puzzle, or even start a memory book to engage their mind. 👨👨👧 Encourage family visits: Grandchildren bringing snacks and spending time together can brighten their day and strengthen bonds. Consistency is key—small, regular actions can make a world of difference for someone with dementia. Let’s make this year one of care, comfort, and connection. For more support visit: https://lnkd.in/ee3qdJUs #DementiaCare #NewYearNewMe #SupportAndWellbeing #ConsistencyIsKey

The Power of Going Along with the Story: Honoring the Humanity of Dementia Clients In dementia care, I’ve seen firsthand the difference between going along with the story and challenging it. When we challenge someone living with dementia—correcting them or pulling them into our reality—it often leads to confusion, frustration, and distress. What gives us the right to strip away their comfort, their sense of self, in these moments? Instead, when we go along with their story, we meet them where they are, preserving their dignity and honoring the fact that they are still human—deserving of compassion, understanding, and respect. It’s about recognising that their emotional needs are just as real as ever, even if their sense of time or place may have shifted. Dementia may alter a person’s perception, but it does not take away their humanity. Every conversation, every interaction, is a chance to bring calm and comfort, to validate their feelings, and to remind them that they are valued. Let’s be caregivers who choose to connect with kindness, who go along with the story, and who never forget the person behind the dementia. #DementiaCare #CompassionateCare #PersonCenteredCare #HumanDignity #CareHomes

🧠Caring for a Loved One with Dementia: Journey of Heart and Patience🧠 If you are caring for someone with dementia, it is not all about helping them get up and go to bed. It’s about holding onto the little moments of connection that remind you they’re still there, even when things get tough. Here’s what I’ve learned from this journey: 1. Speak gently and be present. Even when words are hard to find, a warm smile, a soft touch, or just sitting together can bring comfort. 2. Routine matters. Simple daily rituals, making tea, listening to their favorite song can provide a sense of safety when everything else feels confusing. 3. Celebrate small wins. Whether it’s helping with a task or sharing a laugh, those little victories mean the world. Patience is everything. Some days are harder than others, but being there, with love, is what truly makes the difference. If you’re caring for someone with dementia, know that your presence, your love, and your patience make a huge impact, even on the hardest days. Let’s continue to support one another and raise awareness for this journey. #DementiaCare #CaregivingWithLove #Healthcare #Compassion

#MotivationMonday: Finding Joy in the Simplicity of Dementia Care Supporting a loved one with dementia often brings unexpected frustrations as routines, conversations, and familiar moments change. It’s common to feel overwhelmed, but embracing simplicity in your approach can make each day more enjoyable for everyone involved. - **Simplify Routines:** Small, repeatable actions and clear choices can make a world of difference. A routine that is comfortable for your loved one can reduce stress and help them feel more at ease. - **Stay Present in the Moment:** Focus on creating happy, simple memories in the present. It’s natural to feel the loss of familiar conversations, but even small gestures—a warm smile, a gentle touch, or simply sitting together—can build meaningful connections. - **Find Joy in Small Achievements:** Celebrating every win, no matter how small, can lift spirits for both caregivers and seniors alike. Positive reinforcement helps build confidence and enhances everyone’s mood. - **Reframe Expectations with Patience:** Set realistic expectations and remember to be kind to yourself. A calm, supportive environment makes daily life brighter for all and builds patience, compassion, and love. Every moment doesn’t have to be perfect. Embracing simplicity, patience, and love helps build a more positive atmosphere and encourages treasured moments together. #WholeLifeSeniorCare

Continuing our series on creating rich sensory and social experiences for those experiencing dementia is part 2: Discovering Beauty, Interest, and Meaning. In the journey of caring for a loved one with dementia, it’s essential to keep their sense of beauty, interest, and meaning alive. Take a few moments to jot down what you know your loved one finds beautiful, interesting, and/or meaningful. Consider their past hobbies, favorite activities, what they loved to talk about, and the things that once brought them joy. Then, begin to search for things to enjoy with them that will include these elements. The goal is to find things you can enjoy together that reflect their preferences and past interests. Remember, the goal is to connect with them on a personal level and provide moments of happiness and fulfillment. Stay tuned for the next post in our series, where we will explore more ways to enrich the lives of those experiencing dementia. #DementiaCare #SensoryExperience #SocialConnections #CaregivingTips #DementiaSupport #thedawnmethod #MemoryCare #AlzheimersAwareness

"New Year, New Me" – meaningful steps to support someone with dementia. For people living with dementia, January can be a great time to introduce small, positive changes that improve their well-being and comfort. Here are a few simple ideas to try this month: 🔨 Fix things around the house: Ensure the home is safe by repairing anything that could cause accidents. 🚶♂️➡️ Encourage walking: A short, regular walk can help build strength and prevent falls, improving overall health. 💅 Make them feel comfortable: A haircut, painted nails, or a relaxing pedicure can bring a sense of care and self-esteem. T 📚 ry new activities: Introduce a new game, puzzle, or even start a memory book to engage their mind. 👨👨👧 Encourage family visits: Grandchildren bringing snacks and spending time together can brighten their day and strengthen bonds. Consistency is key—small, regular actions can make a world of difference for someone with dementia. Let’s make this year one of care, comfort, and connection. For more support visit: https://lnkd.in/eD6skJXZ #DementiaCare #NewYearNewMe #SupportAndWellbeing #ConsistencyIsKey

More from The Players Foundation in support of Dementia Action Week When we are supporting a person living with Dementia, we often identify that they seem to be ‘better’ than they really are. There is a reason for this and, it is called a ‘social façade’. A social façade is when the person with Dementia talks or behaves as though they do not have Dementia, often this is something that happens with people outside of their immediate family or carer. For example, a visitor to the home may be told by the person with Dementia that they have been out for lunch with a friend. To the visitor, this is plausible and believable. However, the carer knows that this is not what has happened. In situations like this, the person with Dementia is not being deliberately deceptive. Visit our blog post for more information on this and for a downloadable factsheet provided by DISC Dementia Support. https://lnkd.in/e73EBpQD #HereToHelp #formerplayersassociation #ThePlayersFoundation #SupportForPlayers #theplayersfoundation #letstalk #GameChangingSupport #DementiaActionWeek