Episode 26

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Published on:

25th Jul 2022

Do Dementia Patients See White?

Do people with dementia see the color white? 

The other day a professional caregiver friend of mine told me that those with dementia have difficulty with the color white.  Although skeptical, this statement piqued my interest. However, with some research, I found out more about this, and although there’s some truth there, it isn’t exactly correct. 

Over time changes occur in the brain of those afflicted with dementia. Some become more challenged than others in detecting shapes of the same hue.  In this episode, we dive into this a bit more, including how cognitive impairments impacted the world-famous artist, William de Kooning, as well as my good friend, and renowned kinetic sculptor Walter Einsel. After sustaining some stroke-involved brain damage, Walter used the book Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain to retrain his hands and mind to draw and work again.   

Art can also be a wonderful tool for our loved ones as they grow frailer.  We’ll share more tips on how art can be very therapeutic, and the joy of gaining special keepsakes that your loved ones can create.

Here are some tools and resources to help spark creativity:

Michael’s Art Supply Store will price match any other advertised price.  If you’re in the store and know of a price that’s lower elsewhere, show them the advertisement and you’ll get the discount.  Also, if you sign up for their free membership, you’ll get weekly updates on coupons and other price discounts. 

So that you and your new artists feel the part: a French (artist’s) beret.  I bought several of these for mom in different colors.  She loved them and they stirred up memories of the beige one she wore when we were growing up on Long Island.

If paints are too much for you, as a caregiver to manage, consider adult coloring books. Here are a few links to some fun, beautiful options, and coloring pens. 

Coloring pens. Many are small in width and difficult for anyone with neuropathy or arthritis to grip. The set below has an extra large barrel to aid with this physical dexterity challenge.  

Market drawing pad. This pad is supposed to eliminate the problem of marker pens bleeding through the paper to the next page. Bleed-through can waste paper and some of these pads are expensive. This one is a rather reasonable price and you'll be able to use every single page!

Host:  Nancy May, Author How to Survive 911 Medical Emergencies, Step-by-Step Before, During, After!  is an acknowledged expert in managing the path of step-by-step caring for aging parents, even from over 1200 miles away. For a free, fillable File-of-Life go to www.howtosurvive911.com. Nancy is also the Co-Founder of CareManity LLC, and the private FaceBook group, Eldercare Success.

Disclaimer: The views, perspectives, and opinions expressed in this show are those of the show guests and not directly those of the companies they serve or that of the host or the producer CareManity, LLC. The information discussed should not be taken as medical, legal, or financial advice. Please seek the advice of your own personal medical, legal or financial advisors as each person’s situation is different. (c) Copyright 2022 CareManity, LLC all rights reserved.

CareManity is a trademark of CareManity, LLC.



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About the Podcast

Eldercare Success
Doing It Best with Eldercare Success
Join us in Doing it Best with Eldercare Success where we explore ways to relieve the stress, exhaustion and overwhelm that we all face in caring for an aging parent, frail spouse, or partner. Fear, frustration, emotional and financial strain do not have to be your MO! In this show, we dive into unraveling the tricks, traps, and gotchas that create more questions than answers while caring for those we love.
Join Nancy May, and her guests as she helps relieve the pressures and delivers solid ways to find more joy and freedom as we care for those with those we love. Here you’ll learn how to find the ground under your feet again. Hang tight there’s a better road ahead.
keeping our feet on solid ground. Hang tight there’s a better road ahead.

About your host

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Nancy May

Nancy May is a corporate leader, business advisor, author, speaker, and nationally recognized podcast host. She has spent her career working with CEOs, Boards of Directors, and senior leaders in the public and private corporate sectors. These experiences gave her the strength and foundation to step in and provide her parents with guidance and support, both as their POA and Trustee, and diehard advocate as they aged. Nancy credits her father an entrepreneur, innovator of innovative eyewear design, and her mom for encouraging and preparing her to acquire the many skills needed to start, build, and lead several successful businesses. She has transitioned these competencies and life lessons to into her new business, CareManity, LLC, which focuses on providing family caregivers structured ways to obtain practical knowledge, resources, and access much-needed support.