SUPPLY AND DEMAND IN ASSISTED LIVING

First off, nobody knew/knows how many assisted living beds are “needed” in the Seacoast. When I opened Bellamy in 2006, it was the first new resource in several years and it was a hybrid model. The assisted living field splits out into…

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy is being carefully developed at McLean Hospital in Boston for applications in people with profound behavioral  disturbances . It worked 35 years ago in our geriatric program and I have high hopes for its success…

Apathy and Indifference

Apathy and Indifference Some ordinary psychological states of mind take on new neurological meaning in people with dementia. Apathy and indifference are examples.

A CHICKEN IN EVERY POT, AN EMERGENCY ROOM ON EVERY CORNER

The misattribution of the chicken quote to several American presidents when actually it was 17th century French king, Henry IV (thanks Wiki) is a catchy saying.       When I read that Wentworth Douglas was building an ER next to the…

Lewy Body Dementia

The movement challenges of Parkinson's Syndrome and the cognitive declines of dementia combine, to make dementia with Lewy bodies a special treatment focus in assisted living.

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?

What do “the earth goes around the sun,” “homosexuality is a disease,” and “there’s no such thing as global warming,” have in common? Besides the obvious, I’m more interested in what the proponents were thinking and why. It’s…

Competence & Incompetent

John explains two medical/legal concepts, with important similarities and differences, especially for people with dementia.

Habilitation

Listen to Dr. Hopkins talk about different topics about dementia, and how basic approaches to dementia care get new names and a face lift every few years.

Naming

Listen to Dr. Hopkins from Bellamy and Watson Fields talk about identifying types of dementia, approaches to caring for them and how the qualified caregivers should be trained.

Bargaining

End of life care brings out the best is people, usually, but it’s a challenge to get through the mixed emotions around the impending deaths of family members.