Phrases to Learn for Caregivers

Dementia Care and Training Specialist Teepa Snow joins Senior Helpers to teach you important phrases to learn when caring for someone with Alzheimer's and dementia.

[superlady]

I am in tears❤️❤️ beautiful beautiful message. I actually said "I'm sorry this is hard" to my mom the other day and she did say the exact thing back "I'm sorry it's hard for me too" It helps me so much because I sometimes feel guilty for saying this is hard thinking it's an insult.. but it's not. I'm being honest and real. Thank you❤️❤️❤️

[brendanwalsh]

For anyone who has a recently diagnosed loved one, watch everything this woman uploads. There is more useful information here than you would get years of asking medics. Thanks so much to Teepa for making the complicated accessible and for understanding.

[carenallen]

Teepa Snow...a brilliant dementia educator...the best I’ve ever seen..and working in this field I’ve seen many Varieties of teachers / educators..this woman puts her heart and soul into finding a correct technique for every situation working with a dementia patient in home or in a nursing facility...she actually gets into skits with people showing the opposite side of the coin...she makes you the patient..see the mindset a dementia patient is dealing with....it’s coming from her heart ...she will make you understand 100% what is going on in a dementia mind and how to converse with your loved ones...Teepa Snow is my do yourself a big favor and start watching her videos also...

[Lucailey]

I work with residents that have Dementia. I am an activities assistant but, really I do much more than that. I think the best phrase in this video is "Im sorry, this is hard" another phrase I use is something I learned from another of Teepa's videos. I try to instantly be on their side. I see the looks on their faces when a bunch of well intentioned nurses and CNAs are trying to sit them down and they might not be super gentle or explain everything they are doing....and I understand that. But me going over to the frazzled elder and sitting near them, holding their hand and going. "Wow, that was so scary wasn't it!? You look scared! Do you think a hug will help?" If they don't speak or indicated that they do want a hug i got them and just do some little touches, play with their hair, put an arm around them, squeeze their hand....that kind of thing. If they keep going on about how angry they are I take their side. "Wow, you are so right! I think they were trying to help you but you weren't ready yet were you? Or, you didn't expect that to happen huh?" I try to make to make it so that the resident isn't at fault. If I have a bunch of angry coworkers I don't care. I have not had them get mad when I try to calm the resident and just agree with them. Another I do is I try to mention my own name a few time and ask them if we are friends. Most of the time someone who isn't really really will agree that yes we are friends and they tend to go along with me much more easily than me trying to act like I am their boss. I guess i try to phrase it a little more like a peer than someone telling them what to do. Ive heard some of my very high functioning residents say "who does she think we are...children!?" and i try hard not to treat them like I would my students. (i taught preschool/daycare for 11 years so some times the teacher comes out lol.) But I try very hard to treat them like a friend and not someone making demands.

[patandersen]

I gave all the comments a thumbs up we all need to support and love one another and know that we matter as well and that we are " NOT ALONE" these videos are helping thousands if not millions of people.

[echase]

Value the relationship (e.g. saying sorry, even if it's not our 'fault') VS winning a logical disagreement is such an important lesson. In another video, Teepa mentions that "reality orientation" is no longer used in dementia care. And how can it, if a person has 'brain failure' and brain shrinkage, etc. Better to 'go along to get along', and keep the stress down.

[renoia]

These are such wonderful skills to learn, not just for treating people suffering from dementia but for every relationship otherwise. Learning to say sorry, to prioritize love and friendship over being right, to acknowledge your part in a conflict, and try to deescalate. There's no skill more crucial than that

[dawncloninger]

This is one of the most used lines still for me, to this day, to say... Mom help me, this is hard for me too and she will then help with pulling diaper (pull up) and help to guide her feet into Jammies and put her arms in the shirt holes...your videos totally helped me in so many ways...I love to learn... thank you so much

[bluefluke]

Teepa, you are awesome. That visual of putting palms up to the other person's palm and moving them away to the side is a wonderful way of seeing that the problem is other than either of you. Neither of you is the problem. One of you may have a problem, but you are not the problem.

[biondna]

This woman is saving my sanity. Also, remembering the hallucinations I had from head injuries in my youth, that taught me to speak to my loved one with compassion and respect about what he's seeing, hearing and feeling.

[Marshjan]

These are phrases we all should learn for relationships even without dementia.

[gerriwetherhold]

I had the privilege to see Teepa in person. She is masterful.

[beverlylamon]

When my daughter died in 2009, It was very difficult. When I came back to work all my residents were there to support me even tho I never talked about my personal life. They held me and let me know how much they wanted to help me!! Even tho some of them could not use lang ect. I will always remember them.

[debraseiling]

I am so very impressed with this training session. Thank you so much for teaching these liberating phrases to open up communication between the care giver and the patient, child and the parent, etc.

[echase]

DEFUSING is such a great skill. Good video!

[gailgamble]

Wow! I have learned so much from this lady! Thank you Teepa. My mother in law has dementia and from what I have learned from you I think she is in the fifth stage of this horrible disease! I hate it. I care about her and want to be her caregiver. Thank you for giving me the tools to help her.

[ms.pirate]

Okay that little speech at the end made me feel emotional. Thank you

[debrad.]

This videos with care and training specialist Teepa Snow are incredibly insightful and have been tremendously helpful to me in dealing with my situation.

[Socratease]

Wonderful! I attempted to do this with my Father and eventually with my Mother-in-law to whom I was the primary carer for some years.

[degunver]

Amazing 😔I am trying to be a better care giver to my Mom. This IS hard and I am sorry. Feels good to hear Teepa acknowledge the struggles.