the “i’m still here” approachthe individual to individual mutual dependence dilemma individual...
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Hopeful Aging The “I’m Still Here” Approach
John Zeisel PhD
Founder
Hearthstone Alzheimer Care &
The I’m Still Here Foundation
(c) 2013 Hearthstone Alzheimer Care
A new “hopeful aging” paradigm
Engagement
&
Community involvement
(c) 2013 Hearthstone Alzheimer Care
The Individual to Individual
Mutual Dependence Dilemma
Individual Care
Partner
Care
Burden
inevitable burnout
Respite interrupts the
process temporarily
The Community
Dementia Problem
Fear Stigma
Health care
Costs
(c) 2013 Hearthstone Alzheimer Care
Community & Reciprocity
Individual Partner
Care
Burden
Hopeful community & individual
reciprocal programs can replace the
vicious cycle of individual care &
burden
(c) 2013 Hearthstone Alzheimer Care
We can (& must)
choose between
Despair &
Hope (c) 2013 Hearthstone Alzheimer Care
Hopeful Brain Enablers
100 billion neurons
Hard-wired
skills and memories
Innate curiosity
(c) 2013 Hearthstone Alzheimer Care
Our brains are naturally curious &
creative—made to explore & discover
The interpreter: Makes sense of the world
The actor(s): Perceives, senses, & acts on the world
The comparer: Tests actions against experience
(c) 2013 Hearthstone Alzheimer Care
Our brains make sure we always
feel & say
I’m Still
Here (c) 2013 Hearthstone Alzheimer Care
“Mens sana in
corpore sano” Heart
Body Mind
Hope also lies in staying healthy
What can we do to stay healthy?
(c) 2013 Hearthstone Alzheimer Care
Hope in our abilities that
are always there
The Myths &
The Truths
(c) 2013 Hearthstone Alzheimer Care
Can’t learn
Can make decisions
Can’t decide
Low impulse control
Always an aggressive
phase
Can enjoy Can’t
enjoy – forget
Sense of self
Lose identity (no self)
Can focus No
attention span
Can remember
The Seven Myths of Dementia
Can’t remember
(c) 2013 Hearthstone Alzheimer Care
Can learn Can’t learn
Can make decisions
Low impulse control
Can enjoy Sense of
self
Can focus Can
remember
The Seven Truths
(c) 2013 Hearthstone Alzheimer Care
The “Despair” Model A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
See the negative
Sadness
Inactivity
Abandonment
Anxiety
Medicalization
Apathy
Aggression
Loneliness
Agitation
Worry about the future
(c) 2013 Hearthstone Alzheimer Care
The “Hope” Model Embracing the Present
Be sad but live with it
Do things together
Appreciate abilities
Be in the present
Feel less lonely
Less apathy
Less depressed
Less anxious
Less agitated
Less aggressive
Better relationships
See the person
(c) 2013 Hearthstone Alzheimer Care
Two Hopeful Aging Alzheimer’s
Programs
Learning for Life™
• A learning
community where
memory issues are
irrelevant and
students with
dementia learn.
It Takes a Village™
• A neighborhood where all
the public, social,
commercial, and cultural
places open their doors
regularly for safe and
dementia-capable arts &
culture programs.
(c) 2013 Hearthstone Alzheimer Care