{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Healthcare Redefined: Advocating for Aging Adults and Their Families","title":"Dementia Tips and Strategies","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3456,"description":"Caring for someone with dementia can feel like the rules change from one day to the next. In this episode of Healthcare Redefined: Advocating for Aging Adults and Their Families, hosts Pam Dunwald and Linda Kritikos welcome dementia care specialist Sheri Fairman, MSW, owner of Dementia Care Solutions and Current of Care. Sheri shares practical dementia caregiving strategies to help family caregivers understand changes in behavior, communicate more effectively, reduce distress, and create more good days with an aging loved one. She also explains why early dementia symptoms can be mistaken for normal aging or stress and why families should begin conversations about future care and personal wishes as early as possible.\nPam, Linda, and Sheri explore a different way of approaching difficult moments in dementia care: instead of immediately trying to stop, correct, or control a behavior, become curious about the unmet need behind it. From hearing “I want to go home” to navigating agitation, wandering, daily routines, safety concerns, and choosing not to participate in care, Sheri offers real-world dementia communication tips families can use right away. The conversation also addresses caregiver burnout, sharing caregiving responsibilities, knowing when more support may be needed, and balancing safety with independence and quality of life. Above all, caregivers are encouraged to focus on connection, flexibility, curiosity, and meeting both their loved one's needs and their own.\n\nKey Moments:\n\n00:00 — Real-World Dementia Tips for Family Caregivers\nWhy dementia caregiving can change from day to day and how practical strategies can help caregivers feel more prepared and supported.\n\n01:41 — Meet Dementia Care Specialist Sheri Fairman\nSheri shares how caring for her mother and working with family care partners led to her focus on dementia care.\n\n05:32 — Dementia vs. Typical Aging\nWhy early signs of dementia can be mistaken for stress, forgetfulness, or typical aging and why...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/x2SdStrZc-Lc8b5VHryIyVuuOtQk_lihBYBBgketnRs/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS82YmY0/ODI1MDhmYjE0NDQ3/MDgxMjhiZmJhNzll/ZTcxNS5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}