06: Jessie Hillock and the Holistic Approach to Dementia Care

07/06/21 • 57 min

People with dementia generally do not have the insight or awareness to seek help from therapists. Often, it's family members who first attempt to reach out for help. And even though family members need significant support, they are often left out of traditional therapy models due to the nature of the healthcare system, including billing practices and insurance coverage. Join us as we explore Jessie Hillock's revolutionary practice of providing structured, holistic dementia coaching for families as well as therapeutic support for individuals as they collectively embark on the journey of living with a dementia diagnosis in their midst.

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05: Rich Temple and the Hidden Power of Listening

So often in healthcare settings, providers feel the need to dish out answers in response to diagnoses. But is this what patients actually need or want? Dr. Rich Temple is a neuropsychologist in the field of rehabilitation medicine. He believes that one of the best kept secrets in therapy is the power of not having all of the answers. Join us as we discuss how existing in a space of solving patients' problems for them actually thwarts patient-centered care. We also talk about how to truly listen and honor a patient's story and wishes, how to prevent burnout across a career, and how interdisciplinary collaboration and advocacy for integrated mental health services can lead to more impactful and holistic healthcare for all.

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07: TBI is a Marathon, Not a Sprint with Dennis Zgaljardic

Neuropsychologist Dr. Dennis J. Zgaljardic dissects 7 quotes (published on brainline.org) written by people who have survived brain injuries. From pace of progress, family dynamics, feelings of worthlessness, behavior plans, identity transformations, functional goals, anosognosia, confabulation, and "non-compliance," this episode has it all. Dr. Zgaljardic's experience in the realm of rehabilitation medicine offers wonderful insight into how speech, occupational, and physical therapists can fully engage within the complex dance of a therapist-client relationship within the context of traumatic brain injury.