Senior Gems: A Precious Way of Looking at the Different Stages of Dementia/Alzheimer's

Dementia/Alzheimer Education Training is the key to success when understanding and working with your loved one affected by this disease.  It is my passion to educate and train caregivers, people with dementia, families, and to speak at conferences in Wisconsin and the surrounding states. I aspire to be a positive part of the ongoing journey through education training ‘Teepa Snow Style’.  Teepa Snow is an occupational therapist working as an expert dementia education specialist with 30 years of experience in geriatrics. 

After working with Teepa in conferences I have learned to go in and out of character as a typical person with Dementia/Alzheimer’s to demonstrate common issues and problems. A great way to learn new ways of thinking, first hand understanding with hands on opportunity, for better outcome and results in understanding and dealing with Dementia/Alzheimer’s in a safe and fun environment.

The ‘Senior Gems’ is a precious and prize winning way of looking at the different stages of Dementia/Alzheimer’s that will affect your loved one. 

‘Sapphire’ is true blue with normal aging changes-no Dementia; slowing down, slower to learn, slower to changes, slower reactions and processing thoughts.

‘Diamond’ is clear, rigid, hard, many facets, sharp, cuts metal and glass, and a diamond can really shine. We are still clear but we repeat, we like routine, we are territorial, we have lost our filter we say what we think even if it hurts the ones we love, rules are for everyone else, I see errors in everyone, and everyone is wrong but me.

‘Emerald’ is green and has a flaw in it.  We are on the go, we think we are fine, get emotional quickly, make mistakes and don’t realize it, do things over and over or skip a step completely, we ask “What? Where? When?, limited awareness of ‘real needs’ (hunger, thirst, voiding, bathing, grooming), we like choices, get lost in our past life, and we need help and don’t know it or like it.

‘Amber’ is a yellow soft mineral.  We are cautious and caught in the moment of time, we are all about sensation, and are explorers, we get into stuff, we either have sensory tolerance or sensory need, no safety awareness, no ability to understand, repetition of sounds, words, actions, we do what we like and avoid what we do not.  We do not like being helped, touched, handled, showers or baths.

‘Ruby’ is red.  Our fine motor skills have stopped, we have repetitive actions or motions (rocking), limited visual awareness and words, major sensory changes, looses all depth perception, and we startle easily, we can’t figure out details but can copy others, we are either on the go or at a full stop.

‘Pearl’ is layered and hidden in a shell, still and quiet, we are unable to actively move or respond with limited awareness of our world around us, we have problems swallowing, and we have multiple systems failing.  The end of my journey is here.  

Lori Schuler is Marketing and Activity Director for Pioneer Place supportive Apartments

and North Haven Assisted Living Homes