We’re about a month into a new year, a time when many people set intentions or resolutions with hope, only to find themselves drifting away from them. When that happens, guilt often creeps in. Quietly. Sometimes gently, sometimes not. That same pattern can show up on the dementia journey. Not because anyone has failed, but because expectations, our own or those of others, collide with reality. And when life does not unfold the way we hoped or planned, guilt can begin to take

As winter settles in and a new year begins, this issue of RISE Together offers reflection, encouragement, and practical ways to support connection as things change. Inside, you’ll find thoughtful guidance for care partners and individuals living with neurocognitive change, along with updates on what’s ahead at RISE Dementia Care. 📖 Read the full newsletter here: Looking for support? Reach out. Let’s navigate this together.

Because connection doesn’t disappear—it takes new forms. One of the most common worries families share is this: “I feel like I’m losing them.” When dementia changes memory, language, or recognition, it can feel as though the relationship itself is slipping away. Conversations don’t flow the way they once did. Familiar routines feel harder. Moments that used to feel effortless now require more thought and patience. But here’s something families need to hear clearly and gently:

Part 2 Authors: Maureen Braen, CPXP, CDP — Founder, Rise Dementia Care Olan Soremekun, MD, MBA — Medical Director, NexStep Health Introduction – The Shift from Lifespan to Healthspan Today, Americans are living decades longer than past generations yet many spend their final years managing chronic illnesses, juggling multiple medications, or relying on others for daily tasks. Most of us focus on how long we live. But the real question is: how well  are we living those extra ye

There’s a quiet ache that settles in when the holidays come around and things don’t look the way they used to. The smells and sounds are the same — pies baking, carols humming in the background — but something is different. Maybe you notice the silence where laughter used to fill the space, or the hesitation when your loved one looks around and can’t quite place the faces in front of them. The holidays have a way of magnifying both joy and loss. When dementia is part of your

Part 1 Authors: Maureen Braen, CPXP, CDP — Founder, Rise Dementia Care Olan Soremekun, MD, MBA — Medical Director, NexStep Health Introduction Most of us have been taught that living longer is the ultimate goal. But what if we’ve been measuring the wrong thing? When people talk about aging well, they often don’t describe lab values, they describe moments: walking with friends, cooking with family, and being part of something that matters, where they can still make a differenc

When we interact with someone living with dementia, it can be easy to slip into “fix-it” mode — trying to make sense of what they say, do, or believe by correcting them. Maybe they tell you they need to go home (even though they already are). Maybe they insist their parent — who passed away years earlier — just left the room. Or perhaps they put on three sweaters because they feel cold when the thermostat reads 75 degrees. That feeling of cold isn’t “wrong.” In many individua

As the season shifts, so too do the rhythms of caregiving and connection. This issue of RISE Together  explores how the words we choose...

We often think of grief as something that comes after death — the sharp, unmistakable pain that follows when someone we love is no longer...

If you’ve ever wondered whether our habits really matter  when it comes to preserving memory and thinking into old age, the results of...

Mastering the Art of Listening: A Dementia Care Essential For people living with dementia, listening is not optional—it is essential....

Summer often stirs dreams of getaways—sun-drenched beaches, time with family, or simply a pause in the daily grind. But for many care...

This issue explores how to start meaningful conversations that honor a person's values and wishes, especially during times of change. ...

Relationships are at the heart of dementia care. They can be a source of comfort, connection, and support—or, at times, tension and...

We often talk about trust in broad terms, but when it comes to dementia care, trust isn’t just a word—it’s the foundation. It's what...

How a shift in mindset, meaningful engagement, and knowing the person can transform everyday moments into something more What if the very...

Understanding the Dementia Journey Through Two Lenses As someone who walks alongside care partners and individuals living with dementia...

There’s a common moment in dementia care that comes up again and again—and it’s one I’ve experienced myself. A care partner gives a...

I watched as a well-meaning care partner leaned in close to her husband and gently asked, “Who is that?” He looked around the room, eyes...

Welcome to the first issue of RISE Together , a quarterly newsletter from Rise Dementia Care. In this debut edition, we’re diving into...