Dr. Macie Smith is a Licensed Social Worker, Gerontologist, Court-Appointed Guardian/Guardian ad Litem, TV Personality, and Amazon Best Selling Author whose passion for advocating for those with vulnerabilities (i.e. Alzheimer's, dementia, cognitive impairment, aging) for 22+ yrs has her centered as the Aging Authority in South Carolina.
Learn more about Dr. Smith at www.drmaciesmith.com. Her book "A Dementia Caregiver's Guide to Care" is available at: Amazon, www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07VLK6XN8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Wonderful and outstanding sessions. Thank you for all you do for patients and their caregivers. May God continue to order your steps. 60 Minutes next! I believe it. God will make it happen.
English, Spanish, Creole and Cajun arent half as hard to understand as the local dialects... if you dont know "Jeat?" (Did you eat?), fixinta (Im getting ready to...) and other such phrases, there are places in this country where you cant communicate with the elders!
That’s why you need patience and understanding to care for them. They are in a different world than you. It only takes a few seconds to join them in their world in understanding to make them feel safe and happy. Please be kind.
I worked with a guy that everyone was afraid of because due to a stroke, he had language difficulties. His brain was still sharp, but he couldn't always get the words out. And he would get angry and cuss. But when I figured out that he was angry at his incapacity, things got so much easier. And when I calmed down, he calmed down and would even laugh.
This is such a great example of how they feed and respond to our emotions, behavior, and energy. Thanks for recognizing how you could change the environment to positively impact his behavior. Great work!
This is very similar to babies too!! Elimination communication doesn't have an age. The baby pulling up or at the shirt and pants does want the same thing
Very similar. But it’s how we respond that’s key. Adults w/ dementia are adults and still should treated as adults not children. However you would prepare the environment like you would for a toddler. Thanks for commenting.
Why's she supplied alcohol with the medications she's taking labels said do not take with alcohol. Judge appointed caretakers supply alcohol with her many medications
I had a bad flare up of crohns, mrsa and an autoimmune skin condition that causes wounds. I had to go to a long term acute hospital. I was having stool accidents, which is insane cause I had an ostomey bag. Granted I still had a colon at that point, but half of my stool was going into my bag and half of it was finding it's way through the rest of my colon. The nurses/doctors were tired of cleaning me up so as soon as my mom left (she does quality review in hospital and if she was there she would never have let this happen, but she had to go home to work and take showers) they shoved a rectal tube into my bottom and didn't get me pain meds except some local. This teaching is so so important. Also because I was in a flare up with my crohns there was a good chance that in putting the rectal tube in it would puncture my large intestine and lead to sepsis. It's appalling how some hospital systems view their long term patients, but I also recognize that a lot of nurses right now are overworked. Still, you can never be too careful. Thankfully, my mom was able to get me transferred to another long term community, but they did so much damage. I wouldn't have survived if it wasn't for some of the other nurses working there who told us our patient rights and genuinely did the best for their patients. Very lucky I'm not dead. This stuff is so so so important to having a trusting relationship between patients and nurses and doctors. It's harder to look for signs like this, especially when the people you're working with might be nonverbal but that care carries over.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I’m so sorry that happened to you. That should’ve never have happened. I know that nurses and staff are overworked and underpaid; however, they’ve accepted the responsibility to provide good quality care, and I expect them to do that. Additionally, training is so important in this field and the staff don’t get it. I’m so thankful that your mom took care of it and that you’re doing well. Stay blessed. 🙏🏽
Im 40 years old and menopausal. My kids are all grown i do not have the patience but somehow im taking care of my mother in law but she has amother son and many female grand daughters. I agreed to help because i know it ment alot to my husband but after over a year of feeling like it got thrown soley on me.( my husband works 60 hrs per week n i work from home. I have emotional fatigue amd im over it. Shes at the toddler phaze but not being rude its more like if a toddler turned into a zombie. She needs to be in a home but homes want between 8k-10k per month. Nobody has that kimda money. I want my life back. I studied real hard to get my carreer but seems like i can never put myself first. I know i spund selfish but im freak8ng exausted. Its horrible how this country just throws its elderly to the wolves.
@@lynnbrandywgdrive7676 thank you for your comments, Lynn. you don’t sound selfish at all. You’re very very strong to express your feelings and to ask for help. What city and state do you live in? Do you have a (PACE) program?
THANK YOU for letting people know not to chastise them, it’s not their fault. You wouldn’t believe how many times I heard other CNA’s ( most are overworked and awesome but not all) shame an elderly person having an accident. Protecting a persons dignity is not only part of being human but it’s our job!
Well stated!! Say it loud for the people in the back. Yes, they are overwork and underpaid. Many facilities are understaffed. But that is no excuse for not doing your job. One of the problems is that staff are not trained on how to care for someone with dementia and that is very shameful. Thanks for your comments.
OMG, I just came across your priceless video, by way of a reel. I think you must be heaven sent. Just these first few minutes of content and I'm almost in tears, from of relief. Where have you been? Your helpful insight has given me new hope in understanding with helping my mother who is suffering, literally, with aphasia and FTD, and helping me help myself as well. I hope you have more videos, I'm on my way to binge them if you do. I learned more in the past few minutes than i have in the past 18 months since my mothers diagnosis. You are a God send, and even if you dont have anymore content, this brief video has given me so much relief and help. Thank You for this.
@@kathrynweller5828 thank you for stopping by 😀. I’m so pleased to hear that this video was helpful. In this space it’s all hands on deck and I appreciate your very kind words. I’ll list a couple of links for you to check out my other videos. Praying for you and your mom along this journey. 🙏🏽
