Behind Closed Doors in Long Term Care During COVID-19
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Behind Closed Doors in Long Term Care During COVID-19

Seniors living in long term care communities have been more isolated than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people with advanced dementia are not safe behind closed doors. They are often dependent on trained caregivers to help them meet their basic daily needs; that is why they are living in long term care communities. Unfortunately, COVID-19 is hitting long-term care communities hard and they are attempting to stop the spread by keeping people in their rooms behind closed doors.

Dementia Care and COVID-19: How do we move forward?
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Dementia Care and COVID-19: How do we move forward?

All of us have been impacted by COVID-19 in many ways, both professionally and personally. The presence of the virus has also created some significant challenges for those living with dementia, especially for those living in long term care communities. In addition, as states work to reopen or partially reopen care communities, the common misunderstanding that individuals living with dementia cannot practice social distancing may result in their continued unnecessary and harmful isolation.

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First long-term Care Community in Argentina to Complete Montessori Training

Congratulations to the staff at Fundacion Nuevo Hohar LeDor VaDor for enthusiastically completing their first Montessori for Dementia workshop. Approximately 35 staff members from a large Jewish home for the aged in Buenos Aires spent time in intense training with me in September. As I reflect on my time with the staff, I can’t help…

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Jennifer Brush Featured in ASHA Leader Article about Helping People with Dementia Eat the Foods They Love

Jennifer Brush was recently featured in an article from the October 2015 issue of ASHA Leader, published by the American Speech and Hearing Association. In the article, entitled “Stepping Up to the Plate,” Jennifer was interviewed about her person-centered approach to helping older adults with dementia find ways to enjoy the foods they love while…

The Importance of Personalization in Long Term Care Communities
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The Importance of Personalization in Long Term Care Communities

The Importance of Personalization in Long Term Care Communities By Jennifer Brush, MA, CCC/SLP An individual’s possessions represent a lifetime of memories, achievements and activities. It is vital that new residents be allowed to bring some of their favorite and special items of furniture and belongings with them when moving into a residential setting. Care…

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Noise Pollution

Individuals with dementia have difficulty filtering out irrelevant noise from the environment and focusing on relevant sounds pertinent to their communication partner. When noise bothers people with dementia it can cause them to become agitated and restless. Background noise hinders communication because it affects the ability of people with dementia to hear and focus on…