Author Archives: Dr. Allen Power

“If You’re Going to San Francisco…”

…or Portland, Oregon next week, I will be involved in some interesting events: In San Francisco, I will start with three “conversations” that will explore concepts around forgetfulness and dementia from a more holistic, philosophical framework. I’ll be joined by … Continue reading

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An “Administration for Community Living”? Yes, but…

Last month, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sibelius announced the merging of the offices for Aging, Disability, and Developmental Disabilites, to form one new agency. This “Administration for Community Living” is designed, in the Secretary’s words, “to help ensure that the supports people … Continue reading

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More on Antipsychotics in Nursing Homes

Well, I’m back from Italy and have a lot of rants to share. But webmaster Kavan Peterson suggested I mention last Saturday’s large Boston Globe article on the problem of antipsychotic overuse in nursing homes, so I’ll start there: (http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2012/04/29/nursing_home_residents_with_dementia_often_given_antipsychotics_despite_health_warnings/?page=1). … Continue reading

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The Gaping Hole

Reporting from beautiful Lake Como… A recent online Medscape post reported on a presentation given at the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry that called into question recent government efforts to decrease antipsychotic use in people living with dementia. The researchers … Continue reading

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Mattresses, Moods and Mobility

Our first three elders have moved into St. John’s community Green Houses, and are having a wonderful time! Their brief experience has raised some interesting questions in my mind. Another “first” for St. John’s in opening these Green Houses was … Continue reading

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Moving Day!!

“But let there be spaces in your togetherness and let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your … Continue reading

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A bit more about “Dementia Beyond Drugs”

I’ve been a bit remiss in my blogging of late. I guess more timeliness will have to be my New Year’s resolution. Meanwhile, I am cross-posting an interview I had recently with Stephen Woodfin. Stephen is an attorney, a novelist and … Continue reading

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The Power of Choice

I was speaking in Ohio earlier this month and had an experience that reinforced an important lesson for me. I was giving a community talk on dementia and a TV reporter came to interview me before the talk. We put on the microphone … Continue reading

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Involving People Living with Dementia

Thanks to Norm McNamara (a person living with dementia and UK Alzheimer’s Society volunteer), for sharing a new document that he and several other people living with dementia and their care partners have developed, in conjunction with the South West … Continue reading

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Why People Move to Nursing Homes

As I travel and speak, I often find myself challenging a notion that seems deeply rooted in long-term care–an idea that, in its essence, is a barrier to deep culture change. That notion is that people move to nursing homes because of … Continue reading

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