Before you decide someone "can't do that anymore," ask the question that actually changes things: did anything change in them, or just around them? In this episode, Carlyn tells the story of a woman in an adult day program whose mornings kept falling apart. The moment staff approached to help her wash and dress, she'd become agitated and shut down, and once that happened, there was no bringing her back into the task. An occupational therapist could have focused on the task itself, a different cue, a different way of laying out the clothes. Instead, she looked at what was happening before the task even started. She found the music this woman loved, built it into a calm, familiar playlist, and had staff turn it on twenty to thirty minutes before they ever approached her. By the time they did, she was calmer, more open, and able to do far more of the washing and dressing herself. That story opens the fifth and final spoke of the Wheel of Function™: the environment. The problem was never just the room, the noise, or the lighting. Carlyn walks through why the same person can feed herself just fine at her kitchen table but struggle in a busy dining room, why a dim bathroom or a dark mat can quietly work against someone, and why a drawer with twelve shirt choices can feel like less independence, not more. She also makes the case that care partners are part of the environment too, our voice, our pace, our touch, even how rushed we feel, and that with all five spokes now on the table, the wheel is finally whole. In This Episode The playlist that changed a woman's whole morningWhy "the environment" means a lot more than the roomEveryday moments where the environment quietly makes things harderYou're part of the environment tooWhat's coming next: behavior as a signalConnect with CarlynFREE Weekly Newsletter, Finding Our Way In Dementia Care -> https://abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.com/page/weekly-sign-up-1?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=ep6_shownotesWebsite -> https://www.abetterwaydementiacaresolutions.comFacebook -> https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562478140551Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/abetterwaydementiacaresolution/LinkedIn -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlyn-lenfestey-abetterwaydementiacaresolutionsPinterest -> https://www.pinterest.com/carlyn0832/YouTube -> https://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingDementia All five spokes of the Wheel of Function™ are on the table now, sensory, emotional, physical, cognitive, and environmental. Follow the show, because next week is where we start putting them to work. DISCLAIMER The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a doctor or a licensed physical therapist before starting any new exercise routine, using assistive devices, or following the recommendations mentioned. Every individual's needs are different, and professional guidance is essential to ensure safety and appropriateness of care.
