The Spark of Life is a philosophy that offers an approach to dementia care that lifts the spirit, awakens dormant abilities and attempts to heal relationships broken through dementia.
One of the Spark of Life program’s aim is to enrich the lives of people living with dementia. The Spark of Life training programs help caregivers to make the shift from being just a caregiver to becoming a supportive partner.
Spring Creek Health and Rehabilitation in Cabot is on a change journey. They will soon begin training with the Spark of Life program videos. This will involve frontline staff not only learning a new way to help their residents, but they will be the trainers for other staff members.
There are several opportunities for us to learn how to change the way we see our dementia residents. On June 19th, two people, who know that we need a change in the way we see and treat dementia, will speak on mindset changes….Dr. Allen Power and Dr. Richard Taylor.
Dr. Allen Power says ”Dementia is not a psychiatric illness. It is a change in one’s experience of their surroundings and how they process information, based on structural neurologic changes. It is as much a psychiatric illness as would be a stroke. And people’s interpretations of the world around them may seem confused to us, but they are nothing like the symptoms of an organized psychosis.” Dr. Power knows about the “Spark of Life”. He brought us this information the last time he came to Arkansas.
This year he brings with him Dr. Richard Taylor. Dr. Taylor has been living with Alzheimer’s for many years. Dr. Power says “that Richard reminds us that his greatest struggle is to deal with his changing cognitive abilities and to “make sense of today.” He promotes what he terms ‘humanizing dementia care’.
You can be a spark! Join us June 19th for a Culture Change Workshop, “Dementia: Looking at an Old Disease with New Eyes”
And then the next day………………………………………………………………..
On June 20, 2012, the longest day of the year, participants across the northern hemisphere will push their limits in a sunrise-to-sunset relay to raise awareness and funds for the fight against Alzheimer’s. This one day is to honor the passion, dedication and strength displayed by people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers every day.
These web sites can also help you be a “spark” and to light the fire in your home!
http://www.richardtaylorphd.com/
http://www.alpower.net/Pages/edenbiography.htm
https://changingaging.org/alpower/
http://www.dementiacareaustralia.com
