Positive Approach to Care: The Teepa Snow Method
Caring for a senior with dementia is uniquely different than caring for someone who has a physical injury. Dementia can make communication, listening, and responding difficult. Short and long term memory loss, issues with mobility, and overall confusion are common as well.
For family members and caregivers alike, this can cause frustration, stress, and sadness. How can you best help a loved one who have dementia? Who do you turn to for the professional living assistance they need?
As the medical community learns more about dementia – its causes, symptoms, presentations, and symptom management strategies – those of us in the Home Care industry are able to provide better care. By educating our caregivers and providing opportunities to learn new dementia care techniques, we’re able to best serve our clients and their families.
Who is Teepa Snow
One reputable, trusted and proven method of dementia care training is The Positive Approach to Care (PAC) developed by Teepa Snow.
Teepa Snow has a wealth of clinical, teaching, and research experience. She has worked as part of Duke University Medical Center’s Neuro-Rehabilitation team, at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill geriatric clinic, as an Occupational Therapy director, and in various other roles serving veterans and long-term care patients.
Teepa’s approach to care is built around the physical and functional changes that happen in the brain of a dementia patient. She uses what is know about brain function, how these changes impact function, and apply knowledge through therapeutic approaches.
For example, verbal communication can be altered by dementia. Patients may not be able to express feelings of pain, discomfort, happiness, or anger. When caregivers are taught to expect these changes in communications, they can then be trained to overcome them and provide better care.
A Person-Centered Approach to Care
The needs of dementia patients are as complex and unique as the individuals themselves. The Positive Approach to Care is meant to put the person with dementia at the center of all care decisions, activities and therapies. A person-centered approach has the mindset of empathy, assistance, and openness.
Caring for someone whose abilities are changing can be challenging. The person-centered approach encourages caregivers to place priority on the wellness, health and happiness of the person before what they can or cannot do as a result of their dementia.
Training for Visiting Angels Caregivers
Visiting Angels Richmond has begun to train all dementia care providers on the Teepa Snow Positive Approach to Care method. By utilizing her educational materials, programs, and videos, our caregivers are better prepared to care for seniors with early-stage, mid-stage, and late-stage dementia.
Giving our care staff the opportunity to continue their education allows us to provide the best possible care to our senior clients in Richmond, Mechanicsville, Short Pump, Henrico and Hanover Counties and the surrounding area of Virginia.
Learn how our dementia care services can help your loved one by contacting our Richmond, VA office today!
