11/10/2025
Here are some notes from my last Dementia Care Partner Support & Education Group, better known as DCSE. If you are a care partner to someone living with dementia, join us the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at the Montevideo Veterans Home from 10:30-noon. Meetings are FREE thanks in part to a Minnesota Board on Aging Dementia Grant.
Powerful Quotes from today:
“This group feels like family!”
“Walk through it on their side.”
“Let them.” Mel Robbins is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, motivational speaker, and the host of The Mel Robbins Podcast. Her theory, “Let Them,” means accepting that you can't control other people or situations, so instead of trying to change them, you "let them" be who they are and do what they do. By mentally saying "let them," you free yourself from trying to force outcomes and can shift your focus to what you can control: your own thoughts, actions, and emotions. This practice aims to create more emotional peace and control by reducing frustration and energy spent on unchangeable circumstances. It’s not a theory specifically designed for people living with dementia, but it sure does fit the situation. https://www.melrobbins.com/episode/episode-70/
*Care partnering ideas:
One care partner noticed that the movies shown in her husband’s memory unit were “over their heads” so she found movies that were easier to follow. People living with dementia will likely enjoy movies that are upbeat, nostalgic, easy to follow/simple plots. They might like musicals, reality shows, shows from their childhood/young adulthood, classics, comedies with visual humor (The 3 Stooges, Laurel & Hardy). We touched on this a little bit at an August meeting with Care partners reporting on what TV channels their people like to watch: MeTV, Laff, INSP and Grit. You can do an internet search to see if you have access to these channels. Zinnia TV is a subscription based service that offers videos for mid-late stage people living with dementia. You can watch free sample videos at www.zinniatv.com to get an idea of what it offers.
Here’s a great website with good tips and movie/TV show suggestions. https://neighborsdc.org/news/best-movies-tv-shows-dementia-patients/
Care partners ask these questions to help them decide if a show is a good fit for their person:
Can it be enjoyed without having to closely follow along?
Is it light and upbeat?
Is it free from unpleasant imagery, offensive language and violent content?
Does it have a simple plot?
Is it shorter in length (under 2 hours)?
Do you think it will provoke happiness and or laughter?
*Driving. This topic comes up often and this is the best resource I have for your reference. It has a link to a very good resource called “At The Crossroads” and also links to resources within that publication. Scroll toward the bottom to find these links. There are suggestions on how to have a conversation about driving retirement, signs to look for when riding with someone, etc.
https://www.thehartford.com/resources/mature-market-excellence/dementia-driving
Hope to see you soon but keep in mind I’m here for anyone who is a care partner to someone living with mild cognitive impairment or dementia.
(320) 435-1291
contact@reevesdementiacare.com.
www.reevesdementiacare.com
RDCC is a speech-language pathology private practice that specializes in supporting individuals living with dementia and their care partners, as well as offering a wide variety of dementia education opportunities.
