Family Moments DVD
Alzheimer's impacts families, caregivers and individuals in so many
unexpected ways. The Family Moments DVD presentation provides expert information and shows how to
build bridges spanning the gap between the care provider and the person with
Alzheimer's. Families can share missing details, create stronger links, and
assist in giving back their "greatness." Learn how to speak, act, move; how to
visit and what to expect. Once families and caregivers better understand
dementia and how to recognize and apply the valuable knowledge they hold, they
become "helpers", Brackey explains, smoothing out many of the upsetting bumps in
the disease process. Author: Jolene Brackey
Topics include: It's Time to Move, Where's My Room, Habits of a Lifetime,
What to Expect, Keys to Visiting, Not Forgotten, Story Telling, Let's Talk
Communication, Outings with less Stress and Simple Pleasures.
Running time: 2 hrs 17 minutes
About Jolene Brackey
Jolene Brackey explains that the key to any person is figuring out their
greatness. "Find out what they are good at, and compliment them," she says. By
letting caregivers know a little about the person’s history allows them to help
them remember who they are. Gestures as small as allowing a patient to keep
their old worn out chair or ‘stinky softball glove’ comforts them. Playing cards
with Alzheimer's patients is a way to trigger memories of the past. Even
shuffling a deck of cards can bring an unexpected, but delightful smile on their
face.
Brackey describes the mind of a person in the later stages of Alzheimer's
like that of a child between the ages of 8 to 10 years old, and as the disease
progresses, they function as a 4 to 6 year old, until eventually they lose
cognitive skills. Though they may initially lose their short-term memory, they
continue to remember many of their past experiences.
According to Brackey, many people label what is "appropriate" and
"inappropriate" for patients, but those are very powerful words. "We leave them
with nothing if we take away their stuff for safety," says Brackey. Give them
their greatness back by creating a home away from home. Take pictures of their
favorite place to sit and their bedroom, and recreate that atmosphere by
bringing personal items to make their new room more familiar. Create "boxes of
greatness" which should include things from their past.
Brackey began her career with Alzheimer's patients as an Activity
Director. As her work progressed, she began jotting down ideas that offered
positive help for patients. She attended conferences and set up three
Alzheimer's units, and began presenting educational seminars. Brackey's devotion
and passion to help others began empowering families and staff members through
training takes her across the country speaking about life for caregivers and
people with dementia.
Her talks and videos are a series of enlightening insights into Alzheimer’s
disease and how to better communicate, empower and help people with the disease
feel and become safer in their environments.
♥Early
♥♥Middle