Welcome to the
Better Dementia Blog

Dementia often feels overwhelming and unpredictable to caregivers. But beneath that experience are recognizable patterns of cognitive change. Understanding these patterns can help families make sense of behavior, anticipate what comes next, and navigate the dementia journey with greater clarity and confidence.

There is a moment in dementia caregiving when everything begins to feel different. It is not loud or dramatic—it is quiet, steady, and grounded in understanding. This is the moment I know a caregiver is going to be okay.

Is Alzheimer’s the same as dementia? Learn the clear difference, why the terms are often confused, and what caregivers need to understand from the very beginning.

A quiet moment in a memory care office caught me off guard—in the best way. A binder on a shelf, a familiar cover, and the realization that my work was already living where the real care happens.

Dementia challenges the assumptions medicine is built on. When insight is lost, traditional diagnostic conversations stop working — and families are left navigating care without a framework. Understanding the what, when, and why of dementia changes everything about how care should be delivered.

Join Amy Shaw, PA—Medical Director, Dementia Care Specialist, and author of The Arc of Conversation: A How-to Guide for Goals of Care Conversations—for a live AGE-U-Cate webinar on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. The event continues the national conversation sparked by the PBS documentary Aging in America: Survive or Thrive, exploring how we can move from awareness to lasting impact in aging and dementia care.

Falls are one of the biggest risks in dementia care. Learn how to reduce fall risk at home, support safe mobility, and protect your loved one’s dignity and independence.

Dr. Balfour Mount, the father of palliative care in North America, transformed how we approach serious illness and end of life. His legacy lives on in my work in comprehensive dementia care, which is rooted in the same principles of dignity, comfort, and family-centered support.