When an individual is diagnosed with Alzheimers disease or another type of dementia, it can be a confusing time. Family members, friends and the individual being diagnosed may wonder, what will happen next? What can I expect? What does it all mean?One of the most important things to remember as someone begins their journey through dementia is that the person inside still remains. However, family, friends, and caregivers, need to understand the disease and learn how to best interact with their loved one.Communication is a key area to focus on when interacting with individuals with dementia. Changes in communication that may occur include: Difficulty expressing their thoughts and feelings Having a hard time finding the right words Trouble understanding and interpreting what others are sayingCommunication can be challenging; and it is an important piece of our day to day life. When communicating with someone who has dementia, it is important to be supportive and help the person feel comfortable.In order to communicate effectively with your loved one, remember the following tips: Remain positive. You can help set the tone for a positive interaction. Being patient, supportive and upbeat is key. Offer comfort and reassurance. Smile! Shift the way you think about communicating. We are educated on using manners and always asking people How are you? But, for individuals with dementia this question may be difficult to answer. Instead, try saying Hi, its nice to see you. Call the person by name and introduce yourself. For example, try saying: Hi Mom, its your daughter Sara. This can eliminate confusion they may experience if they dont recognize you. Enter their world. Individuals with dementia often arent oriented to current place and time, and their short term memory is not what it once was. Instead, reminisce and revisit old memories. Avoid arguing, criticizing or correcting. If you disagree with something your loved one is saying, dont argue, it will only leave you both feeling frustrated. Go with the flow and dont try to correct what they are saying. Instead, validate them and lead the conversation in a different direction, if possible. Use short simple words and sentences. Simplify your words. This will allow for less information for your loved one to process. Encourage unspoken communication. We can communicate non-verbally as well, through our facial expressions and body language. A smile, a hug, or a handshake allows for positive expression without using any words.As your loved one journeys through dementia, understand that their brain is changing. Each person is unique and may react to things differently. The more you understand the more success you will have communicating with your loved one.Live in the moment, embrace the present and treasure the memories.Editors Note:This article was submitted byStacy B. Kesl, BA, CDPDementia SpecialistAthena Health Care SystemsStacy has over 10 years experience working in Dementia Care and loves educating staff and families on dementia.She can be reached at (860) 751-3900

Share your wishesAfter the often hectic buzz and planning of the holidays, we need a little time to regroup, reflect and set new resolutions come January. Maybe you've planned the holidays, the gifts, the decorations and who gets the guest bedroom. Now its time to think about you. Do your loved ones know how you'd want to be cared for if you couldn't advocate for yourself due to a serious illness or injury? Do they know if you would want extraordinary measures including being on a respirator to keep you alive? Are they aware whether or not you want comfort measures, including aggressive symptom management, to keep you comfortable until death? The decisionsabout your treatment and healthcare should be yours.Plan for the What if?While we wish and dream for many things, its understandable that even thinking about death may make us uncomfortable -- and yet a dignified and peaceful death is what we wish for. That sense of discomfort is nothing compared to thestress you and or your loved ones could endure if you haven't shared your final wishes before you are unable to actively make a decision on your own behalf. Additionally, its important to appoint someone who will act for you if any medical condition or circumstance should occur where you cannot speak for yourself. A Simple Form An Advance Directive is a legal document which expresses these preferences. It can contain a Living Will, the naming of a healthcare representative or both. Surprisingly, its pretty simple and can be done in a matter or minutes perhaps some of the most important minutes you can spend to help yourself and your family. You don't need a lawyer or a notary, just a good form and a pen to sign the document in the presence of two witnesses.We Can HelpRegional Hospice and Home Care can help. Visit us at regionalhospicect.org and download a copy of Advanced Directives, What you Should Know. Or, you canemail us at info@regionalhospicect.org and we can send it to you. Make your preferences known while you can consciously and thoughtfully planthem. Make sure to prepare for unexpected healthcare needs and make those final weeks or days less stressful for you and your loved ones by sharing thesewishes now.Make a resolution to get those wishes defined and shared before the next holiday

When its time to leave the hospital following illness, injury or surgery, youll need specialized care to regain your strength and mobility. If these services arent readily accessible and convenient to your home, youll have to search for qualified care, and contend with travel to and from the rehab center for days or weeks, possibly in inclement weather. Family members wishing to be involved in your care may also find these logistics challenging. People who live in a retirement community offering on-site rehabilitation services have a much easier time transitioning from hospital to home.Short-term nursing and rehab services, right where you live:When you choose to live in a continuing care retirement community, youll enjoy an independent retirement lifestyle filled with cultural, educational and recreational opportunities. Some offer on-site rehabilitation services. So if the need for short-term rehab care should arise, or if you plan to have surgery at a specific time, you can dovetail these services to maximize your comfort and convenience, and improve the likelihood of a successful outcome.Rehab services at a good retirement community should be led by a Medical Director who is also a medical doctor. At a minimum, the program should include physical, occupational and speech therapies. The rehab team should monitor your progress and adjust your care plan as needed. The best service providers will meet with you ahead of time, review your clinical information, lead the admissions process, and guide you every step of the way. They should consult with your family and personal physicians as well. The staff might include:Medical DirectorDirector of NursingRegistered NursesLicensed Practical NursesDieticianSocial WorkerTherapeutic Recreation DirectorLicensed Speech, Occupational and Rehabilitation TherapistsAdditional considerations:Look for staffing ratios that exceed state and national standards. Inquire about the centers capacity to handle clinically complex therapies, such as post-surgery recovery, cardiac/pulmonary rehab, or joint replacement rehabilitation. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have a 5-star rating system. Ask about this and any other ratings your prospective rehabilitation center has earned. You should also ask whether therapy is available seven days a week, and if the center accepts direct admission or requires an entrance fee.Finding the right community that offers these high-caliber rehabilitation services on site can make living in retirement not only more enjoyable, but more convenient as well.This article was submitted by an affiliate of The Health Center at Meadow Ridge, 100 Redding Road Redding, CT.For information, call 1.866.780.0312 or visit MeadowRidge.com.

Welcome to Know How to Go, your one stop for information on all your travel needs in southwestern Connecticut. This program is designed to enhance peoples access to their communities by identifying the best transportation service to meet the unique needs of seniors, individuals with a disability, and veterans. Our purpose is to provide you with a host of valuable travel-related information about all transportation services in the southwestern region of Connecticut. From the public bus to accessible taxi service, we will let you know your transportation options along with special programs and discounts for each service. As the Regional Mobility Management team for southwest Connecticut, we are also tasked with gathering information about transportation challenges you face and helping to find solutions. Together with our community partners, the Regional Mobility Manager at The Kennedy Center will work with you to connect you with the best service available in your town and beyond.Funded by Federal Transit Administration and CT Department of Transportation dollars, the Regional Mobility Manager works closely with all local transportation providers including: Greater Bridgeport Transit; Norwalk Transit District; CTTRANSIT Stamford; Milford Transit District; Valley Transit District; CT rides; volunteer driver programs; taxi services; and rail transit providers to provide the most comprehensive service to meet your individual needs. We also collaborate closely with our network of human service agencies and other service providers in the region. The Regional Mobility Management programs service area includes the coastal towns between Greenwich and Milford and north to the Valley region. For a map of our service area, click on the Guidebook of Services on our website at www.knowhowtogoct.org, or contact the Regional Mobility Manager at the number below to request a hard copy of the Guidebook.The Kennedy Center, Inc., a non-profit agency that provides a wide array of services for people with disabilities, seniors and veterans, administers the Regional Mobility Management program. The program is guided by a Steering Committee whose members consist of a variety of stakeholders in the Bridgeport/Stamford Urbanized Area including representatives from the Western Connecticut Council of Governments, Greater Bridgeport Regional Council, Valley Council of Governments, Connecticut Department of Transportation, Greater Bridgeport Transit District, Norwalk Transit District, Valley Transit District, and others. Steering Committee membership is open and participation is welcomed and encouraged from all who are interested in improving transportation services and options for people with disabilities, seniors and veterans in southwest Connecticut.For more information about the Regional Mobility Management program or transportation services in your area, please contact Margaret Mixon at 203.365.8522 x. 263. Be sure to visit our website at www.knowhowtogoct.org, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/knowhowtogo, and follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/knowhowtogo