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Greetings!
“Lose on the left, retain on the right.” Did you think I was talking about politics?
No way!
What I’m referring to is what happens in the brain of someone who has dementia. But let’s back up. I want to talk about children.
Aren’t 18 month old toddlers just precious? (Well most of the time.)
If you look at a brain scan of an 18 month old you will see areas that are not fully developed. No surprise there! Clearly they are not capable of living on their o wn and they lack many skills.
But no one looks at an 18 month old child and sees their limits. We see possibilities! We focus on what they CAN do – not on what they can’t do.
Did you know that a brain scan of a person with dementia looks a lot like that of the 18 month old? And yet – we tend to focus only on what that person CAN’T do. Understandably, it is easy to become frustrated and deeply saddened by their loss of skills.
Teepa Snow in her Positive Approach to Care TM teaches that if we focus solely on the loss of skills we miss a huge opportunity to provide meaningful moments of engagement, happiness and connection. Teepa talks about “Losing on the left and retaining on the right”. By that she means that most all people with dementia lose language, vocabulary and speech which is stored and controlled on the left side of the brain.
But here’s the “gift” as she calls it. They retain the following – located on the right side of the brain.
- The ability to engage in social (automatic) chit chat. “How are you?” etc.
- Forbidden words including swear words, ugly words, sex talk and even racial slurs.
- The ability to respond to music, poetry, prayer and rhythm.
- Rhythmic movement clapping, dancing.
Why are these retained? VERY simply put- these things are hooked to emotions.
Our opportunity, as we navigate the challenging waters of caring for people with dementia, is to learn to use the gifts retained on the right – the social chit chat, the music and the rhythmic movement to stay connected, to maintain our relationships and to provide meaningful activities.
We wouldn’t dream of expecting a toddler to function beyond their skill level. We know we’re the ones that have to plan ahead, to adapt, to change what we are doing to ensure their happiness and safety. Successful care for them means we meet them at their level, follow their lead and applaud and focus on their skills. When we do that they “light up”. You could say they shine.
People living with dementia are not toddlers and should not be treated like children. But as Teepa Snow says;
“In the right setting and with the right care everyone can shine.”
Yours shining,
Mary Sue
PS. As you can see I’m a huge fan of Teepa Snow’s work. Learn more and shine on!
Teepa Snow: www.teepasnow.com
Teepa's GEMS were developed to help those
living with changing abilities.
This dementia classification model (developed from the basic structure of Allen Cognitive Disability Levels) compares different states of being and ability to the characteristics of precious jewels. Understanding them will lead to an adjustment of expectations, modification of cues and support, and more accurate communciation and 'hands-on' care behaviors to better meet ever-changing needs. The GEMS™ advocate that people living with dementia, when done with rather than done to and provided with the just right care and setting, can still shine.
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Mary Sue Recommends:
Progression of Dementia – Seeing GEMS- Not Just Loss
This Teepa Snow Training DVD includes a Professional Training Kit
to use with your staff.
Cost: $49.50 Order online here:
“This program is designed to help those offering support and assistance to reframe the changes that come with the progression of dementia. The goal is to begin to recognize, and then use the retained and preserved skills that are remaining, while acknowledging what is not available to the person as they are in that moment. When care partners have a better understanding of the common changes in function and ability that occur when someone has dementia it is possible to provide the 'just right' fit in environmental
support and care to optimize performance and foster positive interactions and care outcomes."
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Songs You Know By Heart is a collection of 18 favorites from the Young at Heart Music program. The CD features Mary Sue’s crystal clear vocals on classics such as Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree, Let Me Call You Sweetheart,Shine On Harvest Moon, Sunny Side of the Street, You Are My Sunshine and more. Great to listen to and perfect for singing along.
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 Mary Sue Wilkinson is the founder of Singing Heart to HeartTM and the Young at Heart Music Program. She is a career educator and professional musician. And she loves to sing! Her flagship program, Young at Heart Music, is devoted to bringing the joy of music and singing to seniors with decades of life experiences and memories tied to music. Mary Sue is available as a speaker sharing her expertise about the power of music to awaken memories and bring joy. Together with Tiyi Schippers, Mary Sue also provides music experiences for young children and training for early childhood educators.
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