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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Alzheimer's Hint: Remember the Happiest Times

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Tuesday, July 17, 2012   

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – When a person with Alzheimer's or dementia forgets important details about past events, sometimes relatives try to help her remember, or correct the mistake, but there are other ways to cope with the loss. As a therapeutic recreational supervisor, Beth Terborg came up with a unique way to improve the lives of elders with memory impairments at a Grand Rapids senior living community. It began one day when residents (at The Woods at Maple Creek) were discussing Mother's Days of years past, she says.

"Our residents then progressed the conversation to talking about mothers-in-law. And then a couple of them laughed about how their relationship with their mother-in-law wasn't so good, but 'at least they showed up for the wedding.'"

Terborg arranged for residents' relatives to bring in wedding photos and even some of the wedding dresses residents had worn, to create a slide show and fashion show featuring the residents, their relatives and staff members. She says the happy memories brought out the best in everyone and residents are still talking about it.

When dealing with people with memory problems, it's more important to create events and focus on good feelings rather than mistakes and forgotten details, explains Terborg. At the fashion show, people carried or modeled the wedding gowns, and compared the styles from as far back as the 1930s to today. She notes that what is most important with events like these is people's feelings and sense of connection.

"Even if their sentences aren't making sense, the emotion on their face is similar to everyone else in the room. It makes them feel included and of course, boosts self-esteem."

Terborg tells people when visiting a friend or relative with memory impairments, try to go with the flow and avoid the tendency to correct them.

"What I try to focus on is those positive emotions, those feelings of excitement; the feeling of being loved, and being important and part of something."

Terborg says studies have shown that remembering the happy times reduces anxiety for people with Alzheimer's - and events like the wedding fashion show prove it.



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