Mapuana Taamu, Resident Care Manager, Kina‘ole Estate, Certified PAC Trainer & Dementia Educator | Oct 7, 2020 | Giving Care, October - November 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has all of us dealing with additional stressors in life, and many of us may
find that our abilities to deal with conflict and issues are short-fused. People living with dementia (PLWD) rely on their care partners to provide assistance with activities of daily living with kindness and compassion. PLWD also require mental stimulation, socialization and a reason to live just as much as you and I do. COVID-19 has changed our world into a place where we no longer feel safe, and social distancing has left many people feeling lonely, depressed and isolated.
Mapuana Taamu, Resident Care Manager, Kina‘ole Estate, Certified PAC Trainer & Dementia Educator | Mar 28, 2020 | April - May 2020, Giving Care
As a dementia educator, I am often asked why people living with dementia (PLWD) ask the same question over and over again. My reply is, “Because their brain is failing.” Every day, PLWDs are going through chemical and physical brain changes. Due to brain failure causing multiple problems with short-term memory, a PLWD can get themselves caught in a loop of asking the same questions. Here are some suggestions for the next time you recognize the start of another loop of questions.
Mapuana Taamu, Resident Care Manager, Kina‘ole Estate, Certified PAC Trainer & Dementia Educator | Feb 2, 2020 | February - March 2020, Giving Care
In previous articles that I’ve written for Generations Magazine, I mention the GEMS® states of dementia. There are six GEMS®: Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Amber, Ruby and Pearl. The last state, Pearl, signifies that the end of life is nearing. In the Pearl state, bodily functions are shutting down, the person is likely to spend most of their time in bed and may have muscle atrophy or contractures.
Mapuana Taamu, Resident Care Manager, Kina‘ole Estate, Certified PAC Trainer & Dementia Educator | Dec 7, 2019 | Dec 2019 - Jan 2020, Giving Care
There are many types of dementia; Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent. Dementia is ultimately brain failure. As the brain changes, a person’s skills and abilities regress. The following are four changes you can expect as dementia progresses…
Mapuana Taamu, Resident Care Manager, Kina‘ole Estate, Certified PAC Trainer & Dementia Educator | Sep 30, 2019 | Giving Care, October - November 2019
Planning activities for a Person Living With Dementia (PLWD) isn’t easy. I’ve found it challenging to identify activities that peak and maintain the interest of a PLWD. The Positive Approach to Care philosophy states that PLWD need a balance of activities that include leisure, productivity, restoration and self-care.
There are variations of engagement for everyone in any GEMS® state of dementia. GEMS® is a dementia characteristic and ability model. Providing activities that the person is able to do mentally and physically is the key.
Mapuana Taamu, Resident Care Manager, Kina‘ole Estate, Certified PAC Trainer & Dementia Educator | Aug 2, 2019 | August - September 2019, Giving Care
People living with dementia need guidance, human connection and a sense of independence. In my professional practice, we use the Positive Physical Approach. This innovative modality developed by Teepa Snow teaches family caregivers more effective ways to understand and communicate with their loved ones and all people with dementia.
Mapuana Taamu, Resident Care Manager, Kina‘ole Estate, Certified PAC Trainer & Dementia Educator and Generations Magazine Staff | May 25, 2019 | Giving Care, June - July 2019
GEMS® is a staging system for dementia. Teepa Snow, OTR and founder of the Positive Approach to Care® philosophy, recreated the Allen Cognitive system of staging dementia with a positive twist. We can now view our Person Living With Dementia as one of Teepa’s GEMS® rather than on a scale of 1 to 7 or on a scale of mild cognitive impairment to profoundly demented.