Alzheimer’s and Violence; A common misconception
Often, when I am counseling a family that has just received a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, someone will ask, “When will they become violent?” This… Read More
Author Archives: Debbie Selsalvage
Debbie Selsalvage's Articles
Coping with Dementia: What are the stages of Dementia, and should you really care?
Many people think their understanding of dementia depends on knowing what “stage” their loved one is in. On average, dementia lasts eight to 12 years… Read More
Coping with Dementia: Managing Expectations during Travel
As we hope for the decline of COVID, all of us are looking for opportunities to return to “normal,” which often includes travel. It is… Read More
Coping with Dementia: Communicating with a person with Dementia
Successful communication is a special challenge when we are caring for a loved one with dementia. The best foundation for communication with a person with… Read More
Coping with Dementia: Compassion Fatigue
Suddenly, my care partner support groups are devoting a lot of conversation to “compassion fatigue.” Compassion Fatigue is the care partner’s Post Traumatic Stress Disorder;… Read More
Coping with Dementia: Don’t dis your Loved One’s Abilities
Dementia creates such shocking changes in the ones we love, it is not surprising that we become fixated on the skills and abilities they are… Read More
Coping with Dementia: Handling Hallucinations
Hallucinations can be one of the most difficult challenges a care partner for an individual living with dementia can face. A hallucination is a sensory… Read More
Coping with Dementia: Work within your Loved One’s Reality
A delusion is a false belief that persists in spite of evidence to the contrary; an idea or object that is perceived incorrectly by the… Read More
Coping with Dementia: How do People with Dementia Learn?
Dementia is progressive, irreversible, and ultimately fatal. It attacks all of our senses and abilities, but is best known as a disease that destroys our… Read More
Coping with Dementia: Animatronics for Joy and Comfort
“Animatronics!” Wow, that’s a big word! But wait, don’t be intimidated. It’s simply a modern and high-tech version of something that has always worked so… Read More
Coping with Dementia: Let’s Not Scare our Care Partners
Providing care for a loved one living with dementia is one of the most exhausting care partner tasks there is, because the disease is progressive… Read More
Coping with Dementia: Watch your Vitamin D
I have a friend who spent a 35-year career in a northern state, and each year struggled with seasonal depression, especially in the gray months… Read More
Coping with Dementia: Because Loneliness Kills
A few years ago, I spoke with a hospice chaplain who said, “You know, I don’t believe people die from dementia. I believe people with… Read More
Coping with Dementia: Time for a Gratitude List
Covid-19 has been tough on us. Isolation, fear of infection, and the confusing debate that has gone on over the scientific aspects of the virus… Read More
Coping with Dementia: Hurricane Season brings Special Challenges
Floridians understand how to prepare for seasonal bad weather, but for families living with dementia, hurricane season can present special challenges. Individuals living with Alzheimer’s… Read More
Coping with Dementia: The Upside of Adversity
Many years ago, I told someone I had a problem, and she said, “No, you have an opportunity.” I thought this was just a silly… Read More
Coping with Dementia: Simple therapies to remember during Coronavirus quarantine
If caring for a loved one living at home with dementia were not difficult enough under normal circumstances, now it is further complicated by social… Read More