#039- Dementia Communication Tips with Alzheimer’s Poetry Project’s Gary Glazner

Dementia is a devastating illness that often robs families of the opportunity to connect and experience joy.  Because of this, it's essential that we find a way to share connecting moments, enjoy one another, and see a little piece of the person eclipsed by the shadow of this devastating illness. 

And, I have just the person to help us with this!

In this week's episode, I interview Gary Glazner, the founder and Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project. In this interview, Gary generously shares with us strategies facilitating communication and connection with our loved ones with dementia and even shares about his own experience bringing poetry to his mom at the end of her life.

 Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll learn from my interview with Gary Glazner:

• [04:06] Gary talks about using poetry with his mom in her final month of life. The good, the bad, and the hummingbird feeder.
• [06:45] Relationships with our aging parents are not always easy. Gary opens up about his relationship with his mom.
• [08:00] Gary shares the first of four techniques for using poetry, Call and Response
• [10:41] There are many challenges that come with caregiving. Gary describes how the use of poetry help to foster joy and emotional connection.
• [15:21] Researchers are looking at what happens to the brain and the physiological benefits when reciting poetry and using call and response.
• [19:00] The second technique is to have discussions around the poem and the use of props as the third technique
• [23:15] The fourth technique, to create a poem with your loved one, is shared.
• [26:10] Using poetry helps caregivers to slow down (for even 5 minutes) to connect in a deep way with your loved one.

In this episode, Gary gives real life and tactical examples of how you can use these strategies in a group or one-on-one. If you're caring for an aging parent with dementia, or simply value human connection, this is a must listen!

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