Sweet Basil Senior Care, LLC

01/16/2026

Friendly reminder to take a break or at least take a breath ❤️

01/15/2026

Find the link to Break for 8 in the bio.

What do we mean by stepping into their reality?

Changes in the brain due to dementia can cause people to have a distorted view of reality. They may not be interpreting what they see or hear accurately. Or, memory loss can impact how they view a situation.

When we try to understand how their brain is viewing things and align our approach with their perspective, we can often side step conflict. Several stories are shared to illustrate.

Meditation begins at 4:45.

01/06/2026

An oldie but goodie!

Caregiver tips for learning to accept a different reality, for being patient and kind.

01/06/2026

We can often ward off undesirable responses before they happen.

How?

By stepping in when we recognize the warning signs.

Please pause for a moment and think about how you can tell when something is bothering or confusing your person. Do they pace, raise their voice, leave the room, repeatedly ask questions, withdraw and become silent, or seem flustered?

Recognizing the warning signs is the first step to uncovering the cause of anxiety or anger in your person.

Pause the conversation or activity until they seem back on track.

Afterwards, think back to what was happening or being said immediately before their response.

01/03/2026

Talking about dementia helps decrease stigma and encourages others to open up about their own experiences.

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that approximately 6 million people are living with dementia and that by 2060, that number is expected to rise to 14 million.

Dementia is not a rare occurrence, so never feel that you are alone.

12/19/2025

A Holiday Message for Dementia Care Partners:

The time has come that I feared the most.
I am now dependent on others for nearly all my needs.

My healthy self-from-the-past wants to hold you in my arms and say thank you.

Thank you for reminding me of appointments, steps of tasks, to brush my teeth and the back of my hair, to turn off the stove, close the front door, feed the dog (or not feed the dog again), and so much more.

Thank you for the guidance to hold onto the stair railing, operate the TV remote, microwave, and phone.

Thank you for picking out my clothes and keeping me clean to the best of your ability.

Thank you for paying the bills and taxes and organizing my meds, mail and paperwork.

Thank you for accompanying me on countless trips to the doctor, for hearing bad news and absorbing it alone because I no longer understand the complexity of the conversation.

Thank you for taking over every single household duty because I can’t seem to finish tasks or start them in the first place.

Thank you for serving my favorite foods to entice me to eat and trying to entertain me even when my attention drifts.

Thank you for doing your best to keep me out of harm’s way from others or myself when I do not recognize danger.

Thank you for trying to understand what I’m saying and answering the same question over and over again.

Thank you for knowing that when I yell or resist your help, that it’s not your fault, it’s this terrible condition that is slowly taking me away from myself and you.

When the world no longer sees my value, thank you for noticing me and advocating on my behalf.

My healthy self from days-gone-by wants you to know that I’m ok. One of the very few gifts dementia offers is my lack of memory of the times you lost your patience or didn’t know what to do. Your presence, not perfection, is more than enough and my healthier self wants you to tend to your own needs…

…for support,
comfort,
physical wellbeing,
and time away from me.

Tending to these vital things is not a failing, it's something I insist you do for yourself.

Finally, I know my needs seem constant, but can I ask one more thing?

Please wrap your arms around yourself in a hug from me and know my healthier self sees that you’re dealing with so much more than we ever dreamed of. In time, I may forget your name but something in me will always recognize and feel your loving care.

-By Ann Olson, OTR/L, author of Making Peace with Dementia
-Audio version available on YouTube

12/17/2025

Link to full Break for 8 post: https://youtu.be/bOe_uzjsbxk?si=YH4-lVbiVcw8ZdJY

12/12/2025

People living with dementia still have a sense of humor. Share a laugh from time to time and feel no guilt if something they say or do cracks you up!

12/10/2025

MCI can evolve into dementia but for most people it doesn’t. In many cases, MCI will remain stable or is treatable but it’s important to be evaluated by a medical provider as soon as you notice changes in thinking. https://youtu.be/-OXIBU3kO4k?si=JKZDSfZL6FVK2kp4

12/09/2025

Alternatives...

"I was thinking about the time when..."

"I remember you saying..."

"I remember when we..."

Tell the story for them to preserve their dignity.

12/05/2025

Stages of Dementia Part 2 is posted: https://youtu.be/c9FKOOTI3Uo