What is Dementia.

Dementia is not a specific disease or diagnosis.  It is an umbrella term for a number of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain (Alzheimer's disease, Vascular dementia, Lewy Body disease, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, mixed dementia and many more). Symptoms may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, judgment and reasoning, changes in mood, behavior and communication abilities.  Dementia is progressive, therefore as symptoms worsen, this can lead to a decline in the person’s ability to perform everyday activities.

Earth Angels Homecare can create a customized home care plan that changes as your loved one's needs change. Our care team has extensive training and experience in providing the right level of individual care and support, while carefully monitoring everything from medication to daily activities. Our Teepa Snow Positive Approach™ to Care techniques are about creating a positive environment that focuses on what they can do, not what they can’t do.

Dementia Quick Facts

• In Nova Scotia, there are approximately 17,000 Nova Scotians living with dementia.
• As of 2016, there are an estimated 564,000 Canadians living with dementia.
• There at least 25,000 new cases of dementia every year.
• By 2031, the number of Canadians living with dementia is expected to rise to 937,000, an increase of 66 per cent.
• Dementia doesn’t define a person. They’re still the same individual as they were before their diagnosis.
• People with dementia can continue the things they love and remain active in their communities with the right help and support.

Earth Angels Homecare Training

Earth Angels Home Care strongly believe that a well-educated team can deliver quality care more confidently to the person(s) being supported.

In addition to the wide variety of training that is provided based on client requirements or situation, all our care givers are trained in the Teepa Snow Positive Approach™ to Care (PAC) philosophy.

The practical skills that they acquire help us provide better care for those living with dementia.  

As Teepa Snow says, “Until there’s a cure…there’s care”!!!!

Teepa Snow is an internationally recognized expert and a leading educator on dementia care.   

Her wealth of experience has led her to develop Positive Approach™ to Care, a hands-on skill techniques and training.  This person-centered model of care is used by Earth Angels Home Care, which offers care givers who are working with clients living with dementia or other brain changes, the interpersonal skills required that will lead to better care and support. All training with Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach™ to Care is mandatory for all Earth Angels caregivers and staff.

The Positive Approach to Care™ philosophy encourages Care Providers to: 

• Respond to a person's change in cognition and abilities in a way that is not hurtful or offensive.
• Understand that, with practice, common "reactions" to the person with dementia can become thoughtful "responses" that improve quality of life for everyone involved.
• Recognize that the person with dementia is "doing the best they can" and if something isn't working, it's the responsibility of the Care Provider to change their approach toward the person living with dementia.
• Be aware of environments surrounding a person with dementia and make changes as necessary.

Teepa’s GEMS® Also Helps Our Team Assess and Provide Care for Seniors with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Teepa’s GEMS® are techniques, strategies, and the overall approach to care. It is a method for identifying the characteristics of aging, from normal aging through the early and late-stage dementia with which many seniors are now facing. Teepa’s GEMS® focuses on what is precious and unique about each person, and although changes take place as the disease progresses, Earth Angels caregivers focus on what these seniors can do with what they still have available to continue to live a purposeful life at home. It’s about focusing on taking a positive approach and using strategies that work.

The GEMS® classification system allows your Earth Angels team to:

• Identify the characteristics of different stages of dementia
• Understand what a person can still do based on a gem level
• Use specific strategies based on gem level to care for our seniors.
• Create the best plan for caring for the individual long term.

As experts in the field of dementia care, you can trust Earth Angels Homecare to make your loved one's life, and yours, much easier and more enjoyable.

If you would like to know more about our Alzheimer’s and dementia care services, or to speak with a Earth Angels team expert about creating a customized care plan for your loved one, please contact us today.