Changing The Way We See Dementia

Dementia can change memory, language, and independence, but it does not erase personhood, and it does not have to destroy the relationship. We sit down with dementia care expert Deborah Sealhoff of Dementia Forward to talk about what families actually face day to day: confusion, repetition, shower struggles, siblings arguing, and the heartbreak of watching a loved one change in real time. We get practical about early warning signs by comparing normal aging to dementia using a “file cabinet” in the brain. If someone can’t find the file at all, not just “a little slower,” that shift matters. Deborah shares the donut analogy that instantly reframes dementia care: the hole represents what’s missing, but the donut is everything that still exists, like music, affection, routines, and shared meaning. We also unpack the phrase “I want to go home” and why it often signals an emotion or unmet need, not a location. From there, we focus on dementia communication techniques that reduce conflict: stop arguing, stop being the truth police, avoid yes or no questions, and offer simple choices. We talk sensory changes like shrinking peripheral vision, why you should approach from the front, and the rule that someone needs to see you and hear you before you touch them. We also address ambiguous grief, caregiver burnout, and why asking for help is not a failure, it is planning. If you care for a parent with Alzheimer’s or any type of dementia, take these tools and try them today, then share this conversation with someone who needs it. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, leave a review, and send this episode to a caregiver who could use a better way forward. About Next Steps 4 Seniors: Conversations on Aging Conversations on Aging brings together trusted experts, practical resources, and meaningful conversations to help seniors and their families navigate aging with greater confidence. Need help finding the right senior living or care options? Next Steps 4 Seniors provides personalized guidance and support to families at no cost. 🌐 NextSteps4Seniors.com 📞 (248) 651-5010 Listen to Next Steps 4 Seniors: Conversations on Aging every Saturday at 11 AM on WMUZ 103.5 FM – The Light. Educate. Advocate. Connect Families.