A Fascinating Conversation with Teepa Snow: Unveiling the Mysteries of Dementia

Teepa Snow joined John and Erin and they have a heartfelt conversation about dementia. We start off feeling a bit nervous, but our guest, Teepa Snow, immediately puts us at ease with her warmth and knowledge.
 
Teepa shares her personal journey and how she became involved in the world of dementia care. We dive into the concept of GEMS, a unique way of understanding the different stages of dementia, and how families can use this system to provide the best support for their loved ones. Teepa also introduces us to the Positive Approach to Care (PAC), a framework that guides caregivers and helps them navigate the challenges of dementia with compassion and understanding. 

We discuss the importance of community, friendship, and connection in dementia care, and how technology can be both helpful and harmful. Teepa emphasizes the need for awareness, knowledge, and skill in caring for individuals with dementia, and encourages us to approach dementia with curiosity rather than fear. We also discuss the Snow Approach Foundation, Teepa's nonprofit organization that aims to provide resources and support to communities worldwide. 

So tune in as we explore the world of dementia and find comfort and guidance in our conversation.

Transcript

John: 0:10

Hi, I'm John

Erin: 0:12

and I'm Erin. You're listening to Connect Empower, the podcast that proves age is no barrier to growth and enlightenment.

John: 0:19

to Connect Empower, a podcast that proves that will leave you feeling informed, entertained, and ready to conquer the world.

Erin: 0:32

our guest today is one of the world's leading advocates and educators for anyone living with dementia or other forms of brain change. She's an occupational therapist with over 40 years of rich and varied clinical and academic experience as well as a founder of the nonprofit organization, the Snow Approach Foundation Get excited because we are going to talk about dementia. What it is, the development of gems, the state model dive into pack the positive approach to care. She developed to optimize care and support for those living with brain change and so much more. So John, let's not keep our listeners in suspense. Our guest today is Teepa Snow.

John: 1:20

Welcome Teepa and thank you for your time and knowledge you are bringing to all of our listeners today. It's a pleasure to have Yeah. will you share a little bit about your story and what led you down the road to dementia? How you got started in this amazing world? Wow. That's amazing. Yeah, that's so important. So, Teepa, can you tell us a little bit about GEMS, what it is, and how it, started? The six GEMS and how families can use the system, yeah. that'd be great if you could share some of that. I think, Sweet, enjoyable, round, something that we all smile and get excited about when, we're going to, to pick one up or even pick a dozen up. And, sometimes some of us eat more of those than we possibly should. That's, that's how I'll describe a donut or a bagel. that's awesome. I think Aaron does that with me all the time. Yeah. No, I yeah, no. And I really appreciate that because I think that's so true, right? One feels like somebody's belittling you and making you feel like you're incompetent of simple explanations. Another is being compassionate and caring and, doing it in a very guideful way. Wow. I love that. I just think that is the most incredible way of looking at it. Yeah, Oh for sure. I think that's me sometimes. Oh, for sure. and that think it's yeah, I think it's so beautiful the way that you've discussed this today because it is amazing. how, if we have a better understanding of what's, what somebody's going through, we have so much more compassion on how to deal with it. We live in such a busy world now, right? And, and it's getting busier and busier. now we're two income families where both people are working and if something happens to mom or dad and now they move in, it's, And mom or dad can't remember this and can't remember that you start getting frustrated. yeah. And and Teepa, I've noticed that so many people too, they get frustrated because they don't know how to deal with it. they don't know what to do because they haven't taken the time to research or educate themselves. So they take mom or dad over to a memory care and then they just check them in. And so there's this transition time that is very difficult for mom or dad because they don't understand what's going on. And, and so yeah, I yeah. Yeah. it totally makes sense. A lot of these primary care physicians, even though they're very skilled and very knowledgeable in many different areas, they only have a certain amount of time and they're in and out. And it's let me give you this prescription and see if it, yeah, Very general. And yeah, I love what you do. I love the knowledge that you have and that you're helping create so much awareness throughout the U. S. Now, now I, Aaron and I were talking and she said that you have a nonprofit, the snow approach foundation. So, can create a lot of stress, especially with our older generation that isn't familiar with a lot of the technology that we have today. So, well, I, I love what you're saying about community and friendship and connection. I do think that is so important. And I think as time has gone on, we have become more siloed. Aaron and I were in, in Indonesia. Earlier this year and spending some time and they have such a amazing sense of community. And I think it's it is so enriching, right? Especially for our stress levels and so forth when we're around people that we're we enjoy and we're having those conversations. It's so enriching, and helpful for us to learn from each other and experience it. Good moments. And I love what you've said about that, because I think that more and more people are getting plugged in and they are there on their phones or they're gaming or they're doing this and doing that. And I think that's important that we bring that back into the U. S. so it's okay. yeah. And our little tagline is it's your life and it's, it should be your choice, right? And so so many times since it's a reactive thing that we all get pulled into because we're not educated about dementia or we're not educated about these different health care, things like assisted livings and so forth that we react and we learn about it. In the moment of stress, where with our company connect and power, we're trying to educate people so that they're prepared. So if they ever do face certain things, they're ready, they have the knowledge and stuff. So Oh, I love that. Yeah, that's on our, that's on our bucket list. we've talked many times about going there. We just haven't made it there yet. So a couple of times, different travels we've had. People keep bringing it up too. I'm like, it's just that we need to get there fast. It seems Yeah Thank you so much for your time today. And Yeah. Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Connect Empower. We want to express our gratitude to you for being part of our community, and we hope today's episode has provided you with valuable insights and inspiration to enhance your life and that of a loved one.

Erin: 33:16

We are more than just a podcast. We are a community dedicated to enhancing the lives of our aging adults and their support system. We encourage you to visit our website now at www. connect empower. com. Explore more information about our guests from today's episode and to access our free resources.

John: 33:38

resources. Our mission doesn't end at the conclusion of this episode. We invite you to take action now by sharing the knowledge you've gained today with someone who may benefit from it. Whether it's a family member, friend, or colleague, your influence can spark positive change.

Erin: 33:52

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John: 34:13

I'm John.

Erin: 34:14

I'm Erin. Until next Wednesday.