Thoughtful, practical writing for families navigating dementia—one clear idea at a time. Understand why dementia changes the person you love, and what to do about it.
After submitting the manuscript for my upcoming book, Better Dementia, I spent time planting a wildflower garden. What I discovered among the native grasses and flowering perennials reminded me of one of the most important lessons I teach families: dementia care works best when we align with the person rather than expect the person to adapt to us.
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.
Most caregivers are told to “be patient” or “don’t argue,” but few are taught why dementia changes behavior. Understanding dementia gives caregivers the clarity they need to respond with confidence instead of frustration.
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.
