DementiAgility

09/24/2026

**Dementia is about so much more than memory loss.** 💜

It can affect communication, judgment, problem-solving, attention, emotions, movement, perception, and the ability to complete familiar tasks.

And when we don't understand those changes, it can be easy to interpret what we're seeing as a behavior problem.

“They won't listen to me.”

“They keep asking me the same thing.”

“They get upset over nothing.”

“They know how to do this. They've done it a thousand times.”

But what if we stopped for a moment and asked:

**What might be happening in the brain that is making this difficult right now?**

That one shift can completely change how we approach the person.

It's a message you'll find throughout *Staying Connected*: Understanding **why** something is happening helps us decide **how** to respond.

We may not be able to change the dementia, but we can change the way we approach the moment. 💜

📘 *Staying Connected: A Family Guide to Dementia Care at Home* is available on Amazon.

09/17/2026

We are excited to announce a new resource for families navigating dementia. 💜

*Staying Connected: A Family Guide to Dementia Care at Home* by Karen Straw, MA, CCC-SLP, is now available!

Dementia can bring questions that families never expected to face.

Why is my loved one repeating the same question?

Why are familiar tasks suddenly difficult?

How should I respond when their reality is different from mine?

Is this behavior—or is the person trying to communicate something?

When is it time to ask for more help?

*Staying Connected* was created to help families understand not only **what** is changing, but also how they can respond in practical, compassionate ways.

Throughout the book, families will find approachable explanations, real-life examples, and strategies for communication, daily life, safety, changing abilities, care-partner support, advanced dementia, and more.

Because even as dementia changes abilities, there are still opportunities for meaningful connection.

💜 *Staying Connected* is now available on Amazon.

06/15/2026

In dementia care, when you've tried everything, run out of ideas, and your toolbox is empty,—put your hands up, offer a hug, and say, "I love you." Then laugh (or cry), take a breath, and start again. Because that's what we do.

The underlying message is powerful: the relationship matters more than the technique. Sometimes connection succeeds where strategies cannot. ❤️

05/18/2026

Education is the key…. We are getting better each day

05/05/2026

Caring for a loved one living with dementia can be both meaningful and incredibly challenging. You don’t have to navigate it alone.

I’d like to invite you to join our ONLINE Dementia Support Group for Family Care Partners—a welcoming space to connect with others who understand, share experiences, and gain practical tools for the caregiving journey.

In this group, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Connect with others in similar situations
- Share experiences in a supportive environment
- Learn helpful strategies for communication and daily care
- Gain insight into dementia-related changes and behaviors

Group Details:
Meets weekly on Mondays at 1:00 PM
Held virtually via Zoom
Free to attend

If this sounds like something that could support you, I encourage you to register using the link below

Once registered, you’ll receive details on how to join, along with reminders each week.

If you know someone else who may benefit from this group, please feel free to share this invitation.

Please reach out if you have any questions—I’d be glad to help.

A Care Partner Forum DementiAgility LLC is a company that supports education on the topic of dementia. The owner and sponsor of the support group, Karen, is a Speech Language Pathologist, dementia educator and author. This support group has been created by care partners and is run by care partners.....

03/20/2026

This is a very good video on what questions to ask when looking for placement for your loved one with dementia

02/02/2026

Exciting news! After a year of dedicated work, my staff training manual is officially published!
Building Better Care: Volume 1 - Dementia & Person-Centered Care Foundations is designed specifically for senior living and memory care communities to use for staff inservices, huddles, and ongoing education.
This journey taught me so much about the publishing process—the wins, the challenges, and everything in between. Now it's time to dive into the next volume!
Thank you to everyone who supported this project. Here's to better dementia care training! 📚✨

provides essential knowledge and practical skills to train the basics to staff and is for professional healthcare organizations interacting with individuals living with dementia. This is a ready to use inservice manual which addresses foundational topics guiding you through understanding dem...

01/27/2026

Round 2 is HERE—and we've made it even better! 🌟
🧠 Dementia Skills
🎨 Montessori Methods
🎭 Real-Time Role Play
LIMITED SPOTS this year for maximum hands-on practice!
This training will change everything. Are you in?

Unlock the Future of Skills Development Dementia SKILLS 2026 Specialized Knowledge In Learning Leading Strategies Building a Complete Dementia Care Skillset: Understanding, Interacting, and Engaging register now Contact us Event Schedule Interactive Dementia Care Training: Where NCCDP®, Positive Ap...

11/17/2025

Do you want to start the new year off with a new set of skills? Join me in SLC for a day of Positive Approach to Care Champion skills!

11/01/2025

Recently I had conversations with two care partners who didn’t know each other and even live in different states… the discussion was regarding “manipulation”. Adria does a great job of explaining this when you think its happening