Episode Summary
Statistics say that over 50 million people worldwide have dementia (WHO, 2019). And the impacts of dementia include: physical, psychological, social, and economica;, not only for the people who have it, but also the people who care for them, as well as their families, and society as a whole. My guest today, Jenna Mele, is an occupational therapist who specializes in dementia care and discovered this practice area while she was a care partner for her own grandmother who had dementia. Fueled by her personal experience, Jenna advocates for a more positive approach to care and is passionate about improving the lives of her clients, their families, and other healthcare practitioners who work with people with dementia.
Show Notes
Sarah and Jenna discuss:
- Realizing that something needed to be done in dementia care
- Having hope with a progressive diagnosis
- Focusing on one client and one family
- Occupational deprivation and lack of balance
- Teepa Snow- Positive Approach to Care
- Relationship is top priority
- Hand-under-hand treatment technique
- Partnering with our clients and their caregivers
- Checking emotions at the door
- The professional and personal impacts of working in dementia care
- Importance of social supports
- Compassion fatigue
- Success stories
- Importance of life history for clients, especially those with dementia
- Advice for practitioners working in dementia care
- Advice for care partners
- Jerry video
- Dementia Resources
- Gem States– Teepa Snow
- My Past is Now My Future– Lanny Butler
- Ensign Dementia Course– Gina Tucker-Roghi
Get in touch with Jenna:
- Website: https://www.connectedcareagingsolutions.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJennaMele
