positive approach to dementia
by Laura Gifford
When someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, their loved ones are faced with difficult decisions about the best level of care. While we still don’t have a cure for the disease, there are many interventions that can provide a higher quality of life. One of the most effective interventions is the Positive Approach to Care® developed by Teepa Snow. Founded in 2005, this relatively new approach to memory care has many benefits for people living with memory loss.
How Does the Positive Approach to Care® Work?
Snow’s approach aims to educate individuals on physical and chemical changes that happen in the brain with dementia. This in turn helps to create an inclusive, supportive community for those living with brain change.
Her training programs explain how a person living with dementia experiences the world and why they may have difficulty. This encourages empathy for the individual living with memory loss.
Snow’s certification courses teach several vital skills for caregivers, including:
● Relationship before Task
● Know your agenda, don't show your agenda
● Positive Physical Approach® (PPA™)
● Positive Personal Connectors (PPC)
● Positive Action Starters (PAS)
● Hand-under-Hand® (HuH®)
● Assisting with rather than doing to
In summary, professionals certified in this care approach are taught to observe the individual’s reactions and do things with them rather than to them. Building a relationship is prioritized above all else. This fosters a deeper sense of respect and dignity.
The Positive Approach Philosophy
There are four main principles in Snow’s Positive Approach to Care®. She calls these the “Four Truths of Dementia”:
1. At least 2 parts of the brain are actively dying.
2. It is progressive
3. It is a chronic condition
4. It is terminal (but so is life!)
Snow emphasizes the need to work with the individual and focus on what they are still able to do rather than what they cannot do.
How Does the Positive Approach Benefit Individuals Living With Memory Loss?
The main benefit of the Positive Approach is that it focuses on the well-being and happiness of the client. Caregivers are trained to let the individual living with memory loss lead the way in any interaction. They must observe and assess how the individual is reacting to each situation. Caregivers then adapt their behavior accordingly.
For example, if a caregiver approaches and the client does not extend their hand for a handshake, the caregiver should pause and revise the greeting to make the person more comfortable.
Overall, this approach to care can make an individual living with memory loss feel more comforted and respected. While there will still be difficult behaviors, the caregiver is trained to manage these challenges in a calm and empathetic manner.
How Can I Use This Approach With My Loved One?
While the Positive Approach to Care® was developed for professional caregivers, Snow has many resources on her website for the family and friends of people living with memory loss. Overall, it’s important for loved ones to familiarize themselves with how dementia affects the brain. Understanding symptoms and behavior and why they occur can help increase our compassion and patience with our loved ones.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the person with dementia has their own unique needs and perspective. It’s our duty as friends and family to support them through the progression of memory loss. We can best achieve this by putting them first. This involves observing their behavior and adapting accordingly, rather than trying to make them adapt to what we want. Sometimes, we may need to see things from the loved one’s perspective and refrain from arguing.
Whether your loved one was diagnosed recently or has been living with dementia for years, it’s never too late to change the way you approach care. You can make your loved one feel heard and understood by adjusting your interactions with them. The Positive Approach to Care® helps both professionals and loved ones interact more positively with individuals living with dementia.
About the Author
Laura Gifford is the Director of Marketing & Communications at Providence Place Senior Living, a personal care and assisted living organization that offers two stages of memory care for dementia & Alzheimer’s residents. Providence Place is a family-owned and operated company that manages seven communities throughout the state.