General

Dia de los Muertos
What Day of the Dead tells us about the Aztec philosophy of happiness

For the Aztecs, Day of the Dead rituals helped people find balance in their personal lives and social ties. Author: Lynn Sebastian Purcell, State University of New York Cortland Growing up in the United States, I remember on Halloween my mother used to say, “Honey, this is not just a [...]

Ms. Digest for Dementia Carers
The Pills They Keep Prescribing: Overmedicating Women’s Mental Health — and Why Nothing Has Changed

There is a moment in every overmedicated woman’s story when the prescription pad comes out before the conversation begins. The appointment is fifteen minutes. The chart has a score. The waiting room is full. The woman sitting in the chair has lost her mother, or her marriage, or her sense [...]

Collective Cruelty: Distorted Truths
Bullying and Social Bravery—Why Amy Cuddy’s Ted Talk May Resonate With Caregivers

“Bullying - the act of harassing, intimidating, or abusing others, especially habitually or from a perceived position of relative power.” – Dictionary.com In Amy’s words… “… this kind of bullying is simultaneously this horrible public spectacle of shame where you're in a spotlight. And at the same time, it's a [...]

365 Ways to Say I Care
Way #15: Splash Water on Hands and Feet on a Hot Day

Why this helps: On a sweltering summer afternoon, the simple sensation of cool water can be deeply calming and refreshing. This activity is especially helpful if your loved one is restless, agitated, or overheated. The change in temperature is a powerful sensory input that can interrupt a cycle of anxiety [...]

PERSON-CENTERED ADVOCACY
Most Americans prefer to die at home, but the US healthcare system often prevents it

Talking about the dying process early can be supportive for caregivers and their loved ones.   Authors:  Karen Lutfey Spencer, University of Colorado Denver and Jane Callahan, North Carolina Central University Ask people what they want at the end of their lives, and overwhelmingly the answers will revolve around comfort, [...]

Their lasting impact
Two Matriarchs Who Walk With Me

A tribute to my mother and grandmother The following vignette was written in 2024 when Goshen College invited alumni to contribute memories for an Oral History Project. I never submitted it, nor have I previously published it. But now, in May of 2026, I find myself returning to these memories [...]

365 Ways to Say I Care
The Novelty Explainer – Part II: How Novelty Journaling Changes Us

Novelty journaling is not about recording life as it happens. It is about shaping life by paying attention differently. Part I of The Novelty Explainer introduced the structure and philosophy behind 365 Ways to Say I Care and why it was created. Part II turns inward—exploring how novelty journaling changes [...]

365 Ways to Say I Care
WAY #10: Make a Simple Spring Wreath

  Why this helps: A hands‑on craft that welcomes the season creates a visual celebration you can both admire. For someone living with dementia, working with simple materials—faux flowers, ribbons, a foam or grapevine base—engages fine motor skills and provides a sense of accomplishment. Art activities like painting, drawing, and [...]

A healthier world starts here
Food as medicine

Announcing the world premiere of the 2026 Food Revolution Summit Docuseries: The Science of Food and Wellness! It’s the world’s largest gathering of healthy eaters, and you’re invited to join! Imagine if the world were the kind of place where doctors prescribed vegetables… A world where getting a breakdown of exactly which [...]

365 Ways to Say I Care
The NOVELTY EXPLAINER – Part I: What This Is

🌱 What Makes 365 Ways to Say I Care Different Most resources about dementia focus on decline — and too often, they begin at the end. 365 Ways to Say I Care was created to do something different. This living directory is built on a simple but radical truth: Life [...]

Go to Top