A Dutch care community started placing life-size stickers of residents' own front doors on their room entrances. It's a lovely idea. So why doesn't it always land?

In this episode, Teepa Snow and host Greg Phelps discuss why a person living with dementia may not be looking for their most recent home at all. They might be looking for their mother's house. Or the home they had when they were first married.

What you'll hear:

• Why environmental cues work for some people and distress others

• How to explore a familiar object without correcting someone

• Why packing up and wanting to go home is so common

• What to try when a single change isn't enough

Explore more about the concept of home as Teepa shows you how to shape a space so it supports abilities, encourages independence, and lowers stress for all. Check out Designing a Supportive Dementia Care Environment for more information.

If you have been following Teepa for any amount of time, you're familiar with how much she incorporates music and rhythm when supporting people living with dementia. This episode, Teepa and Greg discuss the reasons why music and rhythm is so effective at getting folks up and moving. You don't have to be a music therapist to incorporate these strategies!

Want to go deeper?

You don't need to stop there. Positive Approach to Care® (PAC™) offers learning experiences that help care partners at every level put Teepa's approach into everyday practice.

🔹 Start with the basics: Accepting the Challenge introduces you to Teepa's foundational approach to dementia care — including the role that connection, movement, and rhythm play in supporting people living with brain change.

→ Streaming version: Link

→ Course version: Link

🔹 Go hands-on: Champion Courses build the practical skills to put what you've learned — including techniques like music and rhythmic engagement — into confident, consistent action.

→ Link

🔹 Connect regularly: The Care Partner Support Series is a space to keep learning, keep practicing, and stay connected with a community who truly understands.

→ Link

According to one recent study, there are two specific over-the-counter medications that can cause a 44% increase in the risk for developing dementia. Does this mean I have to throw out everything I have in my medicine cabinet? Join us this week as Teepa discusses why medications and dementia are a tricky correlation, and why medical providers' familiarity with the Beers List can be very helpful.

Want to go deeper?

The more you understand about brain change and the factors that affect it, the better equipped you are to ask the right questions — and to support the people around you. Positive Approach to Care® (PAC™) offers learning experiences for care partners and professionals alike.

🔹 For families and care partners: Champion Courses give you a deeper understanding of how the brain changes in dementia — and what that means for everyday decisions, including conversations with medical providers.

→ Link

🔹 For healthcare professionals and educators: The Dementia Educator Certification (Tier 2) is designed for those who want to go beyond personal care knowledge and equip others with evidence-informed approaches to dementia.

→ Link

🔹 Not sure where to start? Accepting the Challenge is an accessible introduction to Teepa's approach — a strong first step before diving into the clinical side of things.

→ Streaming version: Link

→ Course version: Link