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Meet St. Raphael, Our Newest Patron

Written by M. Estrade on 2nd November 2021 Blog

Image: Raphael By Gustave Doré – English Bible, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10716938 By now you are very aware of our campaign to create sacred art for families impacted by dementia and how includes a new patron saint of the ministry, St. Raphael. But why St. Raphael the Archangel? I’ll give you answers and will leave you with an enjoyable and edifying reading assignment. This special saint came to my attention recently on June 4, 2021, when I stopped my car at a traffic light.

Guest Post: Reflecting on What it Means to Follow Jesus When Living with Dementia

Written by M. Estrade on 26th October 2021 Blog

Where you do not want to go: Reflecting on what it means to follow Jesus when living with dementia, through the lens of the Gospel of John By Jennifer Morrill Fabrizi Dementia is an overall term for conditions that occur when the brain no longer functions properly. Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common cause of dementia, results in problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is eight years. An estimated 44 million people globally live with some type of dementia.

A Care Partner Speaks to Non-Caregivers: This Would Really Help Us

Written by M. Estrade on 1st June 2021 Blog

by Joe B., Care Partner of 8 years, and Matthew Estrade Well-meaning friends and family members would tell him, “Joe, If you need anything, please call us and let us know.” The thing is that care partners need help but may not know a) where to begin, b) what you mean by “anything,” c) are just tired of making decisions, or d) don’t want to have to ask. One of Joe’s wife’s dear friends would just come over and read books to her while sitting on the floor.

Review of the V.LRT Wireless Emergency Alert Device

Written by M. Estrade on 19th January 2021 Blog

You may have heard of Philips’ Lifeline alerts, whereby someone who falls can press an alert button and 911 and others may be dispatched. This article is the review of an alternative, but not a side by side comparison. I will say that Philips’ Lifeline has been on the market since 2004 and has a range of features and monthly fees from which to choose. The alternative being reviewed is the V.LERT for $30 (on Amazon) and no monthly fees.

Gift-Giving and Memory Impairment

Written by M. Estrade on 1st December 2020 Blog

We are in the second week of Advent and, while this is a time of preparation for the Lord’s Nativity with penance, prayer, and fasting, many of us are also looking for the right gift for our loved ones. Perhaps you are shopping for your loved one with dementia. Maybe people are also asking for your suggestions. This article will offer some ideas for different scenarios. Gifts That Engage: Art activities: Coloring books, color/paint by number,

What Does a Dementia-Friendly Parish Look Like?

Written by M. Estrade on 8th September 2020 Blog

This article was written specifically for the Nation Catholic Partnership on Disability on September 1, 2020. Below is an excerpt with a link to the NCPD website. Please check out this great organization. ______ Meet Mr. J, who was very active in ministry at his Catholic parish. He can be very loud and repeats the same three phrases when you meet him, but is joyful as he sings all of the right words to each hymn in Mass.

Critical Dementia Skills #19 Engaging Your Loved One in Activities

Written by M. Estrade on 1st September 2020 Blog

This is the 19th installment in the Critical Dementia Skills (CDS) series. For more information on the series, start HERE. You can also click on the CDS tags in the blog for more. On this journey with dementia, creativity and fun is something that you may not think of, yet it is a key to filling this journey with life. Geriatrician William Thomas wrote about the “plagues of institutionalism: helplessness, boredom, and loneliness” in his book “A Life Worth Living: How Someone You Love Can Still Enjoy Life in a Nursing Home-The Eden Alternative in Action.”

Critical Dementia Skill #18 Learning Your ABCs

Written by M. Estrade on 18th August 2020 Blog

This is the 18th installment in the Critical Dementia Skills (CDS) series. For more information on the series, start HERE. You can also click on the CDS tags in the blog for more. Sometimes in the course of dementia, your loved one may exhibit “behavioral expressions.” These used to be called “problem behaviors” and they were named, I suspect, not because it offended anyone (although it could), but because “expression” is a more accurate way of looking at our loved one.

Critical Dementia Skill #17 Getting Some Sleep

Written by M. Estrade on 11th August 2020 Blog

This is the 17th installment in the Critical Dementia Skills (CDS) series. For more information on the series, start HERE. You can also click on the CDS tags in the blog for more. If you are living with dementia, how are you sleeping? If you are a care partner, how about you? Many of us experience sleep disturbances due to the dementia condition, as well as stress and anxiety of care partnering. Many care partners tell me about not sleeping well for fear that their spouse or parent is going to pace inside the home all night,

Critical Dementia Skill #16 Discovering What Matters

Written by M. Estrade on 28th July 2020 Blog

This is the 16th installment in the Critical Dementia Skills (CDS) series. For more information on the series, start HERE. You can also click on the CDS tags in the blog for more. In CDS #9, we discussed making your healthcare wishes know as it relates to a healthcare proxy and living will at the end of life. In this article, we will step back a bit and discuss what matters overall in life that will influence end of life care wishes,

A Ministry Aging and Cognitive Impairment

A Ministry
Aging and Cognitive Impairment