Lost and Found in the Alzheimer’s Forest

Dementia can be so confusing to families. Ruth Dennis is an Alzheimer’s educator and author helping families to navigate this new world they find themselves in. Kim and Ruth will discuss some of the myths about dementia.

Lost and Found in the Alzheimer’s Forest

1. What are Alzheimer’s and dementia? How are they connected?

2. How do I tell if someone is showing signs of dementia? (Warning signs, person, place, and thing).

3. “In your book, you talk about the myths of dementia. You say Myth#1 is Home is Always Better. Can you tell us about that?”

4. Myth #2: My loved one is “not like those people.”

5. Can you explain ways to support a family who is facing this process?

6. How to deal with someone who has great verbal and social skills but poor functioning skills. Memory loss is not the only sign of dementia.

Connect With Ruth

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.vistaliving.com

Phone: (505) 927-4407

Bio:

Ruth Dennis is currently an Educator for all of the lovely Vista Homes. They follow the principles of the Eden Alternative. They seek to create a model of care that is based on creativity, engagement with life, and love. Ruth’s role is to provide support and education for families facing all forms of dementia and struggling with the aging process that their loved one is facing. Vista is also committed to embracing education for our staff and community. Ruth has worked in mental health, the Arts, and community education for more than 30 years. This work history has included receiving two National Endowment for the Arts funded grants, implementing creativity and healing programs for gifted and at-risk children, recovery programs, and transitional homes that serve homeless, mentally ill adults, and elders facing dementia. Over the past few years, Ruth has worked closely with and researched palliative care, hospice, and grief support. This journey is both professional and deeply personal. She has been given the honor to educate our community on the need for a balanced, loving, creative caregiving. This has allowed her to fuse her life as a painter, gardener, and most of all; the sister and caregiver to her brother Morgan, who has Down’s syndrome, with her professional work. Ruth states “Morgan was my hero, the bravest man that I have ever known and was a wonderful artist with a deep connection to animals, babies, and science fiction.”

Books or Other Products that would interest viewers:

Mindful Dementia Care, Lost and Found in the Alzheimer’s Forest

Contact Kim Hegwood- Elder Law Attorney

Website: https://hegwoodgroup.com

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HegwoodLaw

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/hegwoodlaw/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-ZaoTAWChvaz-HEFQcdcbQ