Supporting Those Living with Dementia & Reframing Challenging Behaviors

A discussion that  explores fostering new skills to manage challenging behaviors and decrease stress for individuals living with dementia and their care partners.

Sydney Palinkas, LMSW, CDP
RAFT Dementia Education and Outreach Coordinator  

Regional Older Adult Facilities Mental Health Support Team

• 7611 Little River Turnpike, Suite 200 Annandale, VA 22003
• Cell: 703-814-2701 
• spalinkas@arlingtonva.us

Listen on your favorite podcast platform

Questions Asked:

• Sounds like a wonderful program.  Is the goal to find the best ways to support the person to continue to live at home through resources?  Would the dementia specialist make referrals to residential communities?
• Is a “sundowner” a form of dementia and is it usually treated only with medications?
• what is the importance of daily and household routines. ?what is the impact of a break from routines?

Chat Transcript

12:15:13     From  Diane Bowen : I'm in Fairfax but my parents are in Fauquier county; is there a program we can contact to help my Mom (with dementia) and my father (her caregiver)?

12:17:12     From  Diane Bowen : Thank you!

12:26:51     From  Pamela Mills : ☺️  Yes.. thank you Steve.

12:27:14     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Real-Life Story: An Amazing Healthcare Recovery: From Nursing Home to Hospice to Independence https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/videos/real-life-story-an-amazing-healthcare-recovery-from-nursing-home-to-hospice-to-independence

12:28:25     From  Leslie McTyre : Are there any research studies that are promising towards a cure?

12:29:11     From  Pamela Mills : Not one cause.. not one solution

12:29:52     From  Barbara Sullivan : I heard that there is a new blood test for Alzheimers

12:30:37     From  Joan Green : Greetings everyone! So many people with dementia are isolated and it is really had to help them stay connected with long distance friends and relatives with many video call options. I’m offering a free webinar tomorrow that’s all about simpler options for staying in touch and checking in on loved ones. The founders of Onscreen and Sociavi will be joining me for webinar. We will also talk about Grandpad and dropping in with Echo-show devices. Learn more and sign up at www.TheyMayNotKnow.com. It will be recorded. My website is www.innovativespeech.com if you want to learn more about how I help people of all ages and abilities to leverage the benefits of technology.

12:31:08     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Blood tests can help with early detection of Alzheimer’s, a new University of Pittsburgh study shows https://www.wesa.fm/health-science-tech/2023-05-31/alzheimers-blood-tests-biomarkers

12:36:37     From  Barbara Sullivan : Maybe you can explain how mild cognitive impairment can lead into dementia or Alzheimer’s.

12:37:40     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Added Joans program to our calendar at https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/events

12:48:51     From  Sharon DeBoever : Sometimes it's best to walk away - out of sight a few minutes - then start the conversation over again.

12:52:39     From  Pamela Mills : Could also be a stress response

12:57:15     From  Wida Ahmadi : Supporting families and educating them is so important for everyone to be on the same page in their delicate approaches to ensure everyone on the same level of understanding.

12:57:41     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Sydney Palinkas, LMSW, CDP

RAFT Dementia Education and Outreach Coordinator

Regional Older Adult Facilities Mental Health Support Team

7611 Little River Turnpike, Suite 200

Annandale, VA 22003

Cell: 703-814-2701 spalinkas@arlingtonva.us

13:00:06     From  Wida Ahmadi : 100% and we are always more than happy to offer them the same education and we get asked by siblings all the time to reach the others with the same information. I attended a Dementia Virtual Tour offered by Fairfax County Insight and WOW! Very Helpful!

13:00:24     From  Leslie McTyre : Thank you both!!!

13:00:29     From  Barbara Sullivan : Thank you!

13:03:08     From  Pamela Mills : It does a good job representing how the body / mind is compromised when distracted or unable to give full attention to functioning.

13:03:36     From  Ndidi Uzowihe : RAFT is available for consultation for mental health and Dementia, every individual is different. Just because an individual has a diagnosis doesn’t mean they will respond same way. Don’t hesitate to reach out to RAFT to problem solve.

13:04:03     From  Sharon DeBoever : Thank you