Innovative Compassion: The Power of Therapy Dogs and Differing Approaches to Dementia Care with Janet Kuebler - Episode 92
Join us for an uplifting and insightful episode of the Caregiver Relief Podcast with special guest Janet Kuebler, a certified senior advisor, certified dementia practitioner, and certified Montessori dementia care professional. Janet, the owner of Right at Home of Somerset and Hunterdon Counties in New Jersey, shares her personal and professional journey into the world of elder care, which began unexpectedly when her mother-in-law, who had multiple sclerosis, was left without a caregiver. This experience inspired Janet to purchase a Right at Home franchise in 2007, dedicated to providing the kind of compassionate care her own family needed.
In this episode, we dive into two inspiring topics: the healing power of therapy dogs and the transformative impact of the Montessori method in dementia care.
Episode Highlights
A Journey Born from Personal Experience
- Janet's caregiving journey started at age 12 when her mother was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
- The unexpected passing of her mother-in-law's primary caregiver, her husband, highlighted a great need for reliable home care.
- Janet and her husband purchased a Right at Home franchise in 2007 to address this need.
- The most rewarding part of her work is helping families, sometimes at the beginning of a care journey, and seeing clients become independent again or return for more help later in life. One client shared that Right at Home allowed her to be a daughter again, and her kids to be grandchildren, instead of caregivers.
The Healing Power of Therapy Dogs
- Janet was inspired to incorporate pet therapy after one of her dogs, Amy, needed a purpose after her companion passed away. Amy became a therapy dog through Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs.
- Her therapy dogs typically visit facilities, where residents, especially those who can't have their own pets, absolutely adore them.
- In one memory unit, a woman who hadn't spoken in weeks began talking to the dogs. Another time, a resident on the phone with her nephew excitedly exclaimed, "My girls are here, my dogs are here!".
- The training for a therapy dog includes not just basic commands, but also exposure to loud noises and medical equipment like wheelchairs and IV poles, to ensure they remain calm and non-reactive. They are also trained not to pick things up from the floor or lick people in case of medicated lotions.
The Montessori Approach to Dementia Care
- Janet is a certified Montessori dementia care professional and a certified dementia practitioner.
- Montessori-based dementia care is person-centered and individualized, focusing on a person's abilities rather than their losses.
- This method encourages activities they can successfully complete, such as refolding towels, doing simple puzzles, or helping with dinner preparations.
- Unlike traditional care models, the Montessori method rejects a one-size-fits-all approach, tailoring activities to the individual's interests and stage of dementia.
- Simple at-home tips include:
- Offering limited choices to avoid overwhelming the individual.
- Giving them time to respond when speaking to them.
- Using music to make tasks like showering more enjoyable and less agitating.
- Breaking meals into smaller, manageable portions and eating with the person to encourage better intake.
- Redirecting conversations without using the word "remember". For example, instead of asking, "Do you remember your old home?" you can ask, "Tell me about a favorite room in your home".
A Message for Caregivers
- Janet's advice to overwhelmed caregivers is: "Don't be so tough on yourself. Do not feel guilty. You're doing the best that you possibly can".
- Help is available from organizations like the Alzheimer's Association.
This episode is a powerful reminder that out of personal challenges come meaningful solutions, and that there are always new ways to bring joy, purpose, and peace to the caregiving journey.
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