Welcome!
Our Mission
We are committed to a holistic treatment approach for the person living with dementia and their family members and friends to improve the overall well-being and quality of life for everyone.
We address the loneliness and social isolation a dementia diagnosis can bring for the person and the family and foster meaningful relationships using the L.O.V.E. Approach. Connections become stronger and more trusting, providing opportunities to share joyful moments and remain engaged and living life together.
Our Philosophy
Our philosophy is centered around personalized support addressing the unique needs of each family and believe in taking a holistic approach to treatment considering the physical, emotional, social, cognitive and spiritual needs to promote wellbeing.
When we support the person living with dementia and their family members holistically, we ensure we are not reducing our treatment approach to one single aspect of dementia, but see the bigger picture and appreciate the many dimensions of who a person is on the inside.
Changing beliefs on how we see and understand person's with a dementia diagnosis, by focusing on support the person "living" with dementia, rather than believing the person is "suffering" with dementia, our attitudes change and quality of life can improve.
By shifting our mindset from "caring" for the person, to "supporting," the person, conflicts are reduced and meaningful relationships can evolve.
"Supporting" promotes independence, autonomy and personhood and fosters a sense of belonging and purpose by doing things "with" the person. Adapting hobbies and daily tasks as cognitive changes occur can ensure success and promote overall well-being.
"Caring" on the other hand tends create a mindset of doing "for" the person, such as personal care and activities of daily living. Providing "care" of course is important, but learning how to "support" the person through a friends and family-centered approach, helps you to create and maintaining meaningful relationships.
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Shifting the paradigm of understanding dementia
Our History
Our Approach for Treatment
Our Approach for Treatment
In 2011, my beloved basketball coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vol's, Pat Summitt announced she had Early on-set Alzheimers's. I was just three years her junior at that time and quickly developed a passion and mission to understand how dementia affects the person, and their families and friends.
As I began my research, I quickly discovered the "caregiver" trainings available were not adequate for families. more about doing things "for" the person, rather than "with" the person. Identifying and acting as a "caregiver" results in an imbalance of power, and loss of your autonomy.
We believe by maintaining your role as family member, friend or neighbor providing support for the person and shifting your belief as to how you identify yourself during this time.
Our Approach for Treatment
Our Approach for Treatment
Our Approach for Treatment
The American Psychiatric Association guidelines emphasize a multifaceted approach to dementia treatment, with a strong recommendation the first treatment approach is to use “non-pharmacological“ interventions to address the symptoms of dementia, and only using a pharmacological intervention if symptoms become more severe.
These interventions (eco-psychosocial interventions) considers a holistic approach and promoting social and cognitive stimulation such as exercise and reading out loud, addressing the expressive needs of the person through music, art, poetry and offering spiritual support such as nature walks, guided imagery, and mindfulness practice.
Our Approach for Treatment
Our Approach for Treatment
Our Approach for Treatment
The National Library of Medicine determined by developing six specific skills, family members and friends can have a more positive experience while supporting someone living with dementia. Our mission is to teach those skills:
1. Believe in yourself by building self-efficacy skills.
2. Gain a deep understanding of the dementia-related behavioral symptoms (addressing unmet needs)
3. Create a paradigm shift in beliefs about persons living with a dementia
4.Advocation skills
5. Take care of yourself
6. Using psychosocial interventions
The L.O.V.E. Approach promotes your well-being and offers opportunities for self-discovery and personal growth.
"Give a man a fish you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." - Lao Tzu (but if he is starving, please just give him a fish.)
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