Dannelle speaks with Teepa Snow, founder of the Positive Approach® care technique. 

In this episode, you’ll hear from Teepa about her experience guiding caregivers and patients of all ages, specializing in neuro-degenerative care. You’ll learn about the specific challenges we face as care partners for those with neurodegenerative conditions. Teepa and Dannelle will also discuss how the words and physical language we choose can help develop a more compassionate relationship and how we can be part of changing the culture of care for people with neurodiversity. 

“...I talk a lot about dancing with your partner because I think you have to learn the steps of their dance first, and then you invite them into a slightly different dance.” - Teepa Snow 

Timestamps 

• 03:13 Teepa’s core values 
• 05:47 Compassion fatigue in dementia care 
• 08:23 Reframing thinking about caregiving 
• 10:48 Different types of “language” to communicate with loved ones with dementia 
• 15:20 How to connect with loved ones with dementia 
• 21:18 Different ways to communicate with loved ones with dementia 
• 23:40:96 Tips for showers and hygiene 
• 31:54 Informed trauma care 
• 34:21 Information about the Creative Care Collaborative 
• 38:18 What Teepa is passionate about and who she is outside of caregiving 

Takeaway Learnings  

1.    When caring for a family member with dementia, we often mourn the person they used to be. When we take time to sit in silence to recognize our grief, we’re better able to take the next step - to be present with our person as they are right now.  

2.    Our tone of voice has a huge impact on how our loved one responds in difficult or frustrating situations. Taking a pause to deliberately choose how we want to interact, including a welcoming and affirming tone of voice can help strengthen our relationship. 

3.    Teepa says that caregiving is a dance. When we learn our care partner’s steps first, we can adjust the dance to a rhythm that works for both of us. 

Actionable Tips  

1.    Stay curious and ask questions to help maintain compassionate engagement with the person we care for, especially when communication is challenging. 

2.    Be open to doing something differently to help get better results – it may not be the original result or response we had in mind, but one that’s an acceptable alternative. 

3.    Stay open to learning what the person we care for is capable of to better position ourselves to support and empower with less strain. 

4.    Build connection and respect with questions rather than interruptions. 

About Teepa

Teepa Snow is an Occupational Therapist with over forty years of rich and varied clinical and academic experience. Her experiences led her to the development of the Positive Approach® training strategies. Her company, Positive Approach to Care® (PAC) provides online and in-person education, products, and resources. Teepa presents with extraordinary expertise and humor to audiences throughout the world. Her mission is to change the culture of care for those living with brain change, one mind at a time. 

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