We’ve been talking a lot about how hard family conversations can become when dementia changes roles, responsibilities, expectations, and decision-making. So we’ve built a Family Conference support pathway with different levels of help depending on what your family needs. You can start with the Family Conference DIY Kit if you want a clear, step-by-step structure to guide the conversation yourselves. If you work through the kit and still feel stuck, you can book a Family Conference Next-Step Session for help sorting through difficult decisions, unclear roles, or what to do next. And if your family needs more support, Donna and I can work with you through the full Family Conference process such as helping prepare for the meeting, organize the issues, facilitate the conversation, and create a workable plan moving forward. DIY guidance. Focused support. Full facilitation. You do not have to solve everything in one meeting. You just need to know what comes next.

To finish off the week of exploring the statement: "I want to go home", possible reasons your loved one feels that way, causes, and today we're going to look at some possible changes that you can make in your environment to provide a feeling of familiarity or safety. Try one of these for this week's challenge - familiar music - favorite chair - old family photos - a familiar blanket - same evening routine - favorite snack or drink - a familiar scent - reducing noise - moving into a room that feels calmer - calling or mentioning a familiar person - using a reassuring phrase consistently Choose one cue that represents familiarity or safety and use it when “I want to go home” begins.

This week we addressed Repetitive Questions, statements, stories: Monday- understanding why repetition happens; Weds- observing the pattern and underlying theme and today: Changing one response or cue. Examples for your response or cues can include: - reassurance phrase - visual schedule - written note/card - clock/calendar cue - snack or movement break - familiar object - transition routine - consistent short answer Instead of re-explaining the whole day every five minutes: Try “We’re staying home today. You’re safe. I’ll let you know when it’s time for lunch.” Your Challenge today is to Choose one repeated question and create one consistent response or cue that addresses the underlying need. We'd love to hear what worked for you...

Change one Correction into one Emotional Response Before correcting, explaining, or reminding someone of something they said incorrectly, respond to the emotion. For example: Instead of: You already ate. Consider: You're still feeling hungry, let's find something small to nibble on.. So the challenge for today, is to select one correction/explaining to one emotional response.

Instead of focusing only on what the person says, listen for: - fear - loneliness - insecurity - loss - embarrassment - confusion - need for reassurance - need for control What feeling might be underneath the words you keep hearing?