Welcome back to great day Washington.
November is National Caregivers month
and Alzheimer's Awareness month.
Our next guest has become a viral
sensation on Tiktok thanks to her
positive approach to caregiving tips.
Know is an occupational therapist
who specializes in dementia care and
she's also the author of the new book,
Understanding the Changing Brain,
a positive approach to dementia care.
Teepa Snow joins me now live.
Good morning teacher.
How are you
good morning Chris, I'm good
so your world was kind of change.
A bit in the last several months it
just started putting on tick Tock.
What has it been like?
It's been one month, it was just crazy.
I mean, we never anticipated the uptake.
I mean people were saying you've gotta try.
Tick tock and I had. Me tick tock.
I don't know and they said no
no try it and sure enough,
man I'm telling you in a month
we have like 170,000 followers.
3 million views. I mean, it's
I will say I was editing this video
yesterday on your tick tock and I got I
kind of went down the rabbit hole too.
I mean, they're really fascinating videos
and something for everybody to understand.
Next thing I know is like 10 minutes
and I've been watching all your videos.
Why do you think your tips on tick Tock
are resonating so much with people? Well,
you were talking earlier about
mental health and mental health.
Well the same thing as being, you know,
been true about dementia, Alzheimer's.
Like we don't talk about it and
yet families are dealing with it.
Estimated two out of five
at any moment in time.
And how do you help?
Because once it happens,
it's not like going away.
So how do we learn to change
to match what's changing so we
can do stuff together and not
freak out and become overwhelmed
well, especially this time of year.
It's the holidays.
It's already stressful enough.
And then for caregivers.
On top of that, what advice
do you have for caregivers and
families as they navigate this?
Yeah, so one of the things
that you talked about earlier.
Keeping it shorter, simpler,
smaller setting expectations and creating
spaces where people have a opportunity to
step back and go away if they need it.
But having somebody sort of
assigned to be a partner.
So if you're looking like you're done,
I go, hey Kristin. So.
Now what do you find you want to say?
When I do that?
Hey Christine.
Yes, hi could you come help me for a second,
sure.
And what I've done is I've got new
out of a crowded space with lots
of people where you're starting
to feel like I don't know I'm.
This is getting right and I
got you to go with me somewhere
which I will then say hey.
Something hot to drink?
Yes, please. Yes, that sounds good.
Apple cider or
something else apple cider please?
Tell you what open the refrigerator
there you go and notice
how I'm using visual cues.
Yeah props, those are things that
make a difference for folks who
are struggling with understanding
language or sequencing or steps
in the process and I'm giving you
just the right so that you're
engaged not just being waited on.
Well, I love your approach to your
positive approach to care because
it's frustrating for a caregiver
when they're not understanding.
But for the person they're caring for.
Can't imagine what's going on in their mind,
yeah, or I feel like don't disrespect me,
I'm your mother, and so arguments can
start or I feel like your you don't.
You are not the boss of me and all of a
sudden I'm storming out and now you're
at now what you're going to do right?
Sort of chasing after me is not
the right answer and and that
realization that I'm losing control
is really important for both people.
But the people with the brains.
They aren't aren't struggling,
might be the ones that might be
able to help a little bit better
training you are amazing.
Keep the tips and the videos coming.
They really are fascinating.
But Congrats to you,
but thank you most of all for
helping all the caregivers out there.
Well, thanks for letting people
know about it. Absolutely
happy Thanksgiving to you
and your family for you too.
Thank you very much.
You can find so many of T
post videos on Tik T.O.K at
Tepa Snow or visit her website
For more information.
Tipas know.com.