When Families Are Part of the Plan: Person-Centered Dementia Care with Mary Underwood - Episode 82

This week, host Diane Carbo, RN, is joined by the incredibly passionate educator, dementia care expert, and author, Mary Underwood. Her inspiring book, "The Heart Remembers: Touching Lessons from the Dementia Journey," serves as the perfect springboard for a deep dive into what true person-centered dementia care really means.

Mary and Diane unpack critical topics, moving beyond checklists and routines to explore the dignity, emotion, and individuality that should be at the core of dementia support. You'll discover why families are not just informed, but are vital partners in the care process, and how listening with your heart can unlock profound connections, even when memories fade. 🤝❤️

In this enriching episode, you'll learn:

• Beyond the Checklist: What is True Person-Centered Care? 🤔 Mary redefines person-centered care, emphasizing that it's about seeing the individual, not just the disease. It's about honoring who the human being is, putting tasks on the back burner, and emotion on the front burner.
• The Power of Observation & Heart-Listening 🎧: Discover why truly listening with your heart, observing body language, and understanding emotions are paramount, as the "brain is broken, but the heart is not."
• Families as Indispensable Partners 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦: Mary stresses that families must be included in the care planning process from beginning to end, as they are the primary caregivers who know the person best.
• "What Do WE Need to Understand?" - A Game-Changer in Communication ✨: Learn why shifting the conversation from "what families need to understand" to "what do we need to understand?" can transform professional-family partnerships.
• Breaking Down Barriers in Care 🚧: Explore common obstacles professionals face in truly partnering with families, including time constraints, task-oriented mindsets, and high turnover rates.
• Simple Actions, Big Impact 🌟: Get practical examples of how everyday moments, like using humor, offering compliments, and finding joy, can promote dignity and foster meaningful connections.
• Advocating Respectfully for Your Loved One 🗣️: Gain insights on how family members can effectively and respectfully advocate for true person-centered care, even when faced with challenges.
• The "Silver Tsunami" and the Need for Better Care 🌊: A crucial discussion on the growing challenges in senior care and the importance of adopting more human-centered approaches.

Don't miss out on these touching lessons and empowering insights! Take a deep breath, settle in, and tune into the full conversation with Mary Underwood.