Another 'Island Treasures Treasure Chest' bonus episode. In this episode we revisit "Skills Retained: Strengths-Based Approach to Dementia Care" Season 2, Episode 13 featuring Judy Cornish.

Judy Cornish is the founder of the DAWN Method - a strengths-based approach to dementia care. From the treasure chest we hear about two sets of thinking skills: the sensory and the rational thinking skills. We examine dementia through the lens of the disease or medical model and compare that to viewing dementia through the experiential or functional perspective. We also hear about mindfulness and mindlessness and how important it is to recognize the skills our loved one still has and how to supplement the ones they may be losing.

Learning about this strengths-based, person-centered approach to dementia care can help provide a more positive experience for both the caregiver and their loved one.

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Rebekah Dowhy, grew up being the caregiver for her mom. Through her caregiving life she learned the importance of support.

She describes the rare opportunity she had to experience the joy that came with taking a break. A break that to many would be taken for granted, as she was able to join her classmates for an outing. Rebekah's take on this outing was that it felt like a vacation.

Learning the power of taking a break from such a young age, Rebekah created a respite program for caregivers. It is called the Caregiving Support Network, and it meets the needs of caregivers to help them cope, feel seen, and to prevent them from becoming a statistic especially with her knowledge that caregiver stress can lead to caregiver burnout.

From her perspective she reminds non-caregivers of how they can help the caregivers in their lives and how much a simple gift for a caregiver can mean.

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This episode offers valuable insights to both caregivers and non-caregivers, featuring valuable tips from Rebekah Dowhy for those who aren't caregivers but want to lend a hand.

Rebekah's journey into caregiving began at birth, as her mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis the same year she was born. Growing up, Rebekah, along with her dad, took care of her mom. Through this experience, she learned the critical importance of support and the need for respite breaks. (You’ll hear how for Rebekah, even a two-hour break with peers felt like a much-needed vacation.) This inspired her, and after many years of caring for her mom, eventually seeing her home to heaven, Rebekah founded the Caregiving Support Network (CSN).

Respite is essential for caregivers, as without it, they risk facing overwhelming stress, depression, and burnout. Understanding this need, Rebekah established the nonprofit program to offer both respite and practical support for caregivers. The Caregiving Support Network (CSN) also extends support post-caregiving, such as with resume writing, recognizing that caregivers acquire numerous new skills and abilities through their experiences that can help when it’s time to return to the career they had pre-caregiving.

For more information from Rebekah, here's her website:
Caregiving Support Network

The activity books Rebekah spoke about are available through Ways 2 Wellness

Here's the video "Things Not to Say" that we spoke about.

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