The Dementia Newsletter, by elumenEd

8 Red Flags that Signal Financial Abuse

There are signs you may observe that should put you on your guard when helping your loved one. These may not be comfortable conversations, but I can tell you from my first-hand experience that they are critical.

Ben Couch

Jul 05, 2025

Why Independence Day Hit Different This Year

As fireworks lit up the sky last night, I found myself thinking about freedom in new ways, ways I didn’t understand before becoming a caregiver. Celebrations of liberty feel different when you're helping someone button their shirt or choose what to have for breakfast.

Ben Couch

Jul 01, 2025

I Love My Readers, So Can We Get Engaged?

Inside you'll get my top picks for books about engaging loved ones with dementia along with other ideas for creating a life of thriving!

Ben Couch

Jun 28, 2025

Is a Monster Hiding under Your Loved One's Bed?

I love a good horror movie. I've usually got some terrible B-movie going on in the background for fun, but I realized lately that they've also taught me how to better understand my mom's dementia paranoia and fear.

Ben Couch

Jun 24, 2025

Fun Fact: Your Reality Isn't True Either

As we dig deeper into this universe of ours, we’re finding that our senses have misled us on some of our most fundamental assumptions. And yet, we think our reality is correct while our loved ones' realities are incorrect because they have dementia.

Ben Couch

Jun 21, 2025

Family Caregivers Can Beat the Pros with this Special Advantage

Learn communication strategies that leverage the advantages that home and family caregivers enjoy with their loved ones.

Ben Couch

Jun 17, 2025

"If This Isn't Nice, What Is?" Kurt Vonnegut's Lessons for Caregivers

This edition draws on the wisdom of one of my favorite authors, Kurt Vonnegut, and the words of hope we can take from him as caregivers.

Ben Couch

Jun 14, 2025

Parlez-vous Dementia? How French Class Taught Me About Dementia and Loneliness

In this edition we explore communication beyond words. When our loved one with dementia struggles with verbal communication, what can we do to meet their needs and preserve a loving and engaged relationship?

Ben Couch

Jun 10, 2025

Protect Your Body: Try This Tai Chi Move for Safer Transfers

Tai chi is one of the most complete ergonomic studies of the human body. Each movement has been optimized over centuries of testing, and the form gives us a blueprint of the human body working at its most efficient.

Ben Couch

Jun 07, 2025

There are two ways to say "no": one kills and one heals

Also in this edition: find the perfect father's day gift for a loved one with dementia, and pick up your invitation to the "revolution"!

Ben Couch

Jun 03, 2025

Be an A+ 🥇🏆 Caregiver: Get Lazier ASAP!

There’s a principle called the 85% rule that came from analyzing the performance of legendary track star Carl Lewis. Find out how it relates to our caregiving in this edition.

Ben Couch