#EP16: Investigating Behaviors, a story, about Jim and Mary

Early in my experience with dementia I saw people with memory loss labeled pretty quickly. I even had a gentleman tell me, “I guess they all get mean and then you have to put them somewhere.” This statement really breaks my heart because there’s so much more to these individuals who are suffering with a disease they never asked for. If it was a broken hip, would you ask them to take the steps? Would you make it that difficult? Teepa Snow says if you’ve met one person with dementia, you’ve met one person. This is so true because each of these individuals are different, and their needs will be different. The techniques that worked for my mom may or may not work for your loved one, but we can investigate and come alongside and join them on the journey. Having the ability to pause, and seek to understand, “Why they do what they do”, is vital. Listen to a story about Jim and Mary and I think you’ll be surprised by what was motivating Jim’s behaviors.