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© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Handouts are intended for personal use only. Any copyrighted materials or

DVD content from Positive Approach, LLC (Teepa Snow) may be used for

personal educational purposes only. This material may not be copied, sold

or commercially exploited, and shall be used solely by the requesting

individual.

Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved

Teepa Snow and Positive Approach® to Care

Any redistribution or duplication, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited,

without the expressed written consent of Teepa Snow and

Positive Approach, LLC

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Care Partner Tips and Tools:

What Do You Need to Keep

Going… to THRIVE?Identifying Strengths & Limitations AND Learning to Believe in Yourself!

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© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

It’s Like Putting Together

a Jigsaw Puzzle

What is your life experience with care?

Who are you personality-wise?

How do you learn new information best?

What is your relationship to the person?

What is the environment of care?

Where in the progression of the condition is the person?

What are the resources available?

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Personality Traits

Who are you?

Introvert-Extrovert

Lots of Details – Big Picture only

Logical – Emotional

Planning ahead – Being in the moment

Who is the person you are trying to help?

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Life Experience

Talents & Skills

Previous and Current Careers or Jobs

Volunteer Activities or Hobbies

Other Caregiving Roles

Care Receiving Roles

Helping & Support Roles

Knowledge about the Medical Community

Exposure to Dementia

Knowledge about ‘Aging’ Issues

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© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Introvert - Extrovert

Introvert

Likes to be alone

Likes to think it out

Likes personal space

Needs alone time

Private

Extrovert

Think out loud

Talk it out

Seek out people

Share a lot

Not good with boundaries

ACTION:

Reach Out -

A few deep

partnerships will

help

ACTION:

Join at Support Group –

Virtually or in Person

Interacting is a key for your

well being

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Details – Big PictureDetails

Lots of facts and figures

Specifics of what to do

Likes to get going - doing

Big Picture

Likes to know WHY

Likes to think about it before

doing anything

Likes to hear the big plan

Ask for the

WHY???

Work on the

HOW to!

Ask for the

details of

HOW! Then

you will get

the WHY!

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Logical - EmotionalLogical

Head First

Fair

Reasonable

Rational

Emotional

Heart First

Nice

Kind

Empathetic

Support

Others and

Get

Supported

Treat Others Fairly

and Be Treated

Fairly

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© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Planning Ahead – In the

Moment Planning Ahead

Aware of the future

Sets priorities - plans

Likes routines

Likes a schedule

Likes to do things as planned

Needs to be in CONTROL

In the Moment

Being flexible

Go with the flow

No forward thinking

Running late

Putting other things off

GO WITH THE FLOW

What’s Next on

the Agenda!

Live

for

NOW

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Learning Preferences

We are all smart in different ways

Its not about if you are smart, it about

HOW you are smart!

You learn best if your preferred learning

style is used!

If you know, you can ask for what you

need!

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Multiple Intelligences(how do you learn?)

Verbal/Linguistic (word smart)

Spatial/Visual (picture smart)

Logical/Mathematical (number smart)

Bodily/Kinesthetic (body smart)

Musical/Rhythmical (music smart)

Interpersonal (myself smart)

Intrapersonal (people smart)

Naturalistic (nature smart)

Existential (big picture smart)

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© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Verbal Linguistic LearnersLike words, reading, stories

Uses handouts, case studies

Books and journaling may help

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Memory Loss

Losses

Immediate recall

Attention to selected info

Recent events

Relationships

Preserved abilities

Long ago memories

Confabulation!

Emotional memories

Motor memories

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Visual Spatial LearnersLike pictures and movies

Try short videos, graphics and pictures

Organized handouts

Charts and graphs

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© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Memory LossLosses

Immediate recall

Attention to selected info

Recent events

Relationships

Preserved abilities

Long ago memories

Confabulation!

Emotional memories

Motor memories

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Logical/Mathematical LearnersLike to think about problems and figure things out

Like to be asked questions, needs to get to answer

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Memory Changes…So, what will work better –

Ask about what happened this morning

OR

-Talk about her wedding day 50 years ago

-Point out that she hid her own purse

OR

- Recognize it is missing and she is upset about it & we need to do something about it

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© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Bodily/Kinesthetic LearnersLike to handle objects while learning

Like to practice and do things

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Musical/Rhythmic Learners

Like music singing, rhythm

Use poems, songs, rhymes

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

A Positive Approach(To the Tune of Amazing Grace)

Come from the front

Go slow

Get to the side,

Get low

Offer your hand

Call out the name then WAIT…

If you will try, then you will see

How different life can be.

For those you’re caring for!

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© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Interpersonal LearnersLike talking and sharing with others

Use group activities, discussion

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Intrapersonal LearnersLike thinking to self

Use independent projects

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Naturalistic LearnersLikes categories, groupings of info

Likes working with animals, plants, nature

Gets patterns and differences

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© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Existential LearnerLikes to hear about and ‘see’ the BIG PICTURE

Relates new learning to theories and other real world experiences

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Most people are….Really good at THREE intelligences

OK at THREE intelligences

Not good with THREE intelligences

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Using Multiple IntelligencesKnow your own preferences

Identify the types of learners you work with

Integrate strategies

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© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Your RelationshipWhat is your history?

Who had what roles?

Who else was involved?

Who else might you act like, look like, or sound like?

What is changing? How much?

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Environmental ConsiderationsPlace & Space

Location

Sound

Lighting

Privacy

Security

Equipment

Furniture & Appliances

# of People Around

Safety

Access

Use-ability

Hide-ability

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Current State – Care ReceiverWhat is the level of impairment?

What are the behaviors?

What support is needed?

How willing is the person?

How aware is the person?

Who else knows?

Who else can/will help?

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© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

ResourcesMoney

Time

Energy

Skills

Space & Place

Services & Programs

People

Equipment

Training

Support Groups

Advisors – medical & legal &

financial

Agencies or Organizations

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

ONE MORE THING!

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Taking Care of

Yourself!

We All Need a Break!

Especially Caregivers

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© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Why do we care about you?Dementia caregiving is very HARD WORK!

Over 40% of the time we will lose a caregiver before we lose the person with dementia

Your emotional state affects the person you are caring for

You are just as important as the person with dementia

Stress and distress cause YOUR brain to work less well

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Step #1

Become Aware of Yourself

What is most important to you? Top

priorities…

What is necessary for you to keep going?

How much sleep?

Physical health issues?

Breaks?

$$$?

Time to meet other demands?

Someone to listen?

What is necessary for you to THRIVE?

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Step #2Think & Remember…

When was the last time you felt really good?

What were you doing?

Where were you?

Were you with someone? Who?

What made it great?

How did you feel?

What was happening in your life?

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© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Step #3 … Keep it SHORTThink and Remember…

When have you been really miserable?

What were you doing?

Where were you?

Was anyone with you?

What made it awful?

How did you get over it?

What helped?

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Step #4Are you in balance?

How are you spending each day?

Doing things that give you a sense of value!

Taking care of your body, brain, and personal care

Resting and restoring your body, brain, and spirit

Getting pleasure or joy from what is happening

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Step #5

Where are you NOW?

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© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

How You Feel is

REAL & Important!However you feel is OK, its how you

feel!

It’s not about judgment, its about

support!

Acknowledge the feelings…

Then decide what to do about it…

Is it what you want to feel?

IF YES, go with it…

If NO, work to change it!

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

If You are having a HARD TIME…Think about…

What HELPS YOU

What you NEED

What is MISSING

What you are struggling with

Who else might help

What will happen if you don’t do something

What might happen if you do…

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

10 Minute Stress Tamers

Sit quietly in calm surroundings with soft lights and pleasant scents.

Aromatherapy – lavender, citrus, vanilla, cinnamon, peppermint, fresh cut grass.

Breathe deeply – rest your mind & oxygenate

Soak - in a warm bath, or just your hands or feet

Read - Spiritual readings, poetry, inspirational readings, or one chapter of what you like…

Laugh and smile - Watch classic comedians, Candid Camera, America’s Funniest Home Videos, look at kid or animal photos…

Stretch – front to back, side to side, & across

Garden – work with plants

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© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

10 Minute Stress Tamers

Beanbag heat therapy. Fill a sock with dry beans and sew or tie closed. Heat bag and beans in a microwave for 30 seconds at a time. Place on tight muscles and massage gently; relax for ten minutes.

Remember the good times - Record oral memories -scrapbooks, photo journals, keepsake memory picture frames. Just jot!

Do a little on a favorite hobby.

Have a cup of decaffeinated tea or coffee

Play a brain game – crosswords, jigsaws, jeopardy, jumbles…

Look through the hymnal and find a favorite – hum it all the way through…

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

10 Minute Stress TamersBooks on Tape - Rest your eyes and read

Soothing sounds –

Music you love

Music especially for stress relief

Recorded sounds of nature

Listen to coached relaxation recordings

Pamper Yourself – think of what you LOVE and give yourself permission to do it for 10 minutes

Neck rubs or back rubs – use the ‘just right’ pressure

Hand Massages – with lotion or without – its up to you…

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Don’t Forget to Check Out…

The Beautiful Scenery

&

Moments of Joy

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© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

A Few More IdeasSet aside a few minutes – use a timer!

Breathe

Smile … Laugh! – look for some funnies

Remember a good time

What do you get out of the relationship

Use at least one of the STRESS TAMERS

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

BREATHE!!!Take a deep breath in

BLOW it all the way out

Take another breath in

BLOW it out

Take one final breath in AND

SING IT OUT….

Feel what happened to you…

Look at what happened to the people around you…

Think about how and when you might do this…

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Let Go:

How it “used to be”

How it “should be”

How you “should be”

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© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Identify

What you’re good at…and what you’re not

Who can help…and how they can help

What really matters

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Final SuggestionsBack off, change something and try again

Adopt a “SO WHAT” mentality

Try a support group

Accept yourself, and the person with dementia

Look for the JOY!!!

© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

Believe in YourselfAcknowledge your skills and talents

Recognize your limitations

Explore what is needed

Look for the matches

Identify the missing pieces

Decide on what to do

Decide on what NOT to do

Get help for what is needed

Be GOOD to yourself!

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© Teepa Snow, Positive Approach, LLC – to be reused only with permission.

To access other resources and

training materials developed

by Teepa Snow, please visit

our website:

www.teepasnow.com

Copyright 2017, All Rights ReservedTeepa Snow and Positive Approach® to Care

Any redistribution or duplication, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited,

without the expressed written consent of Teepa Snow and Positive Approach, LLC