The Dawn of Dementia Care | Judy Cornish | TEDxSpokane

The medical-model of dementia care in our culture today is largely built on a model of “fix the patient”, yet we know there is no “fix” for dementia. What if we re-thought our model? What if we focused on what dementia patients can do, instead of what they cannot? This new approach might just change everything about our views on dementia.

[terriking]

I am amazed! You have introduced new “life” to a stagnant world. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for laying the groundwork for such a simple program. I think it parallels in saving lives similar to the infamous 12 step approach in providing quality of life to alcoholics and the friends and family who love them. I salute you!

[rexandbethburns]

Having a sense of well-being and feeling secure, such central components to a pleasant existence. A great gift to give our elders (indeed our loved ones at every age)! Thank you Judy for a new approach to the growing challenge of Dementia and Alzheimer's: the DAWN method.

[underdogmatist]

Wise. Helpful. Leading with Kindness, empathy, love, not fear or denial. Thank you for educating us all. Care partners.

[debbydodds]

Thank you, for talking about why we should care about dementia. I think change is coming more rapidly than we may expect. It will come through a deeper understanding of positive non-pharmacological approaches to managing moods, through more self-directed dementia care, through destigmatizing dementia, through digital technologies, and through industries and carer supports that will help people age in place in dementia-friendly communities. Excellent talk!

[danielmh]

I resonated most with the idea of needing to ask how people with dementia experience their lives, how do they see their new worlds and how are they affected by it. What was especially poignant for me is thinking about those individuals who know something is changing in their brains but they have no control over how their brains are changing. It is scary to recognize that things will never be the same again. I appreciate the hopeful outlook you champion when you educate about how to help people with dementia live full lives.

[cynthiajakin]

Great introduction to the ideas behind the DAWN Method, I encourage you all to grab The Dementia Handbook by Judy. Very practical techniques that are simple to put in to action. Thanks Judy!

[victorialee]

Well done, Judy!  I applaud your continued efforts to educate people caring for someone with dementia on a better and more loving way to travel this difficult journey.

[sharonbowland]

Judy, you are asking us to take a different perspective from "what's going wrong" or "what's getting lost." You are asking the question, "what is working?" How can we do more of that? You are recognizing that those with dementia still have capacities and feelings. What I am reading in the research literature concurs with focusing on maintaining a sense of well-being. My family member with frontotemporal lobe dementia grew in her capacity to play the piano as her executive functioning declined. Thanks for your work asking us to focus our efforts on maintaining a familiar environment, breaking down the tasks to one step at a time, and maintaining a positive attitude. It's still hard work but the results are fewer moments of angst for everyone involved.

[adairbecker]

Thanks so much Judy. I appreciate your hard work and how you educate us.