Together in This

Helping Dementia Caregivers Succeed with Streamlined Information & Advice

Helping Dementia Caregivers Succeed with Streamlined Information & Training

  • Caregiver
    • Acceptance
    • Advocacy
    • Emotions / Stress
    • Health
      • Emotions / Stress
      • Nutrition
    • Loneliness
    • Nutrition
    • Planning
    • Sleep Issues
    • Support for the Caregiver
  • Care
    • Activities of Daily Living
      • Bathing
      • Dressing & Grooming
      • Eating & Mealtime
      • Incontinence
      • Mobility & Movement
      • Oral Care and Hygiene
      • Sleep
    • Activities / Enrichment
      • music
    • Care Plan
    • Driving and Travel
    • Home Preparation
    • Hygiene, Oral Care, and Dressing
    • Medications and Dementia
    • Nutrition
    • Urinary Tract Infections
    • Wandering / Moving About
  • Learn
    • Alzheimer’s Disease
      • Basic Overview of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
      • Behaviors
      • Causes and Risk Factors
      • Communication
      • Prevention
      • Shadowing
      • Sleep
      • Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
      • Sundowning / Evening Behaviors
      • Wandering / Moving About
    • Classes
      • Dementia Conversations
      • Empowerment Training with Experts
      • Short Training with Mike Good
    • Clinical Trials and Research
    • End of Life and Grief
    • Family & Friends
    • Holidays
    • Housing and Home Care
    • Insurance
    • Legal & Planning
    • Medical
    • Technology
  • Publications
  • Mike’s Blog
    • Interviews – People with Dementia
    • Published Articles
    • Product Reviews
    • Video Training
  • About
    • About TinT
    • Work with Mike
    • Write for TinT
    • Podcast Guest Info
    • Mike’s Design Services
    • Interviews of Mike
    • Video Overview
  • Podcast
    • The Alzheimer’s Podcast
    • Past Episodes
Home » Learn » Advocacy » Instilling Empathy and Compassion for Alzheimer’s

Instilling Empathy and Compassion for Alzheimer’s

I have to admit the words compassion and empathy are so closely intertwined that I still confuse their meanings. By definition, empathy means to feel and understand another person’s pain. Compassion takes it a step further, and adds one’s desire to help an individual reduce their pain.

No matter the semantics, I think we all agree we need the general public and government to have a better understanding of the emotional, physical, and financial toll that Alzheimer’s and other dementias have on a family.

But we also need them to understand that people with Alzheimer’s are still capable of accomplishing great things and being valuable members of society. They deserve love, understanding, and to be treated fairly. This takes empathy and compassion.

However, unless there’s an emotional event that shapes a person’s feelings and behaviors, empathy and compassion must be instilled through awareness and exposure to an issue.

And it’s nearly impossible to change an entire culture’s ignorance and create understanding about an issue without starting the education process at a young age.

Daniel Potts with his father and family 160 184Recently, I was introduced to Dr. Daniel Potts, and I had the pleasure of talking with him. Dr. Potts’ father, Lester, had Alzheimer’s, and now Dr. Potts continues to advocate and pioneer programs that spread awareness and help instill empathy and compassion.

Two of these programs involve youth and helps them learn compassion and empathy for older adults and even those with dementia.

Learn more about his amazing work by reading my article on Next Avenue: Bridging the Alzheimer’s Awareness Gap to Build Empathy.


If you like what you’ve read, why not receive periodic updates when you:

Subscribe to the TinT Newsletter


Listen to my conversation with Dr. Potts on The Alzheimer’s Podcast:
Advertisement for The Alzheimer's Podcast Episode 20 with Dr. Daniel Potts

Questions or thoughts? Let me know by commenting below:

About Mike Good

Hi, I founded Together in This to help family members caring for someone with Alzheimer’s. Through informative training and easy-to-use tools, I aim to help you take control and have peace-of-mind knowing you are doing the right things.

Comments

  1. Jane Bryson says

    June 27, 2017 at 12:34 pm

    Awesome..good work

    Reply
    • Mike Good says

      June 27, 2017 at 1:41 pm

      Thank you Jane 🙂

      Reply
      • Jane Bryson says

        June 27, 2017 at 1:44 pm

        Such a need for good info on a very misunderstood and under educated topic

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search:

Hi, I'm Mike Good.
You can help keep this site active by making purchases at my new Pet Furniture store.

Please share this with other pet lovers!

https://topnotchpetfurniture.com/

 

Another FREEBIE
from Together in This

Search By Category

Popular TinT Articles

  • #068: Reality vs. Promises: Discerning the Differences in Long-term Care

    #068: Reality vs. Promises: Discerning the Differences in Long-term Care

    The Alzheimer’s Podcast: Navigating Rough Terrain with the Dementia Sherpa …Read More »
  • Episode 2: Reduce the Need for Antipsychotics and other Off-label Medications by Focusing on 4 Elements of the Home

    Episode 2: Reduce the Need for Antipsychotics and other Off-label Medications by Focusing on 4 Elements of the Home

    Library of Past Episodes Please be sure to like, comment, …Read More »
  • #044: What Is Memory Care and What to Look For In a Memory Care Community?

    #044: What Is Memory Care and What to Look For In a Memory Care Community?

    The Alzheimer’s Podcast: Navigating Rough Terrain with the Dementia Sherpa …Read More »

Tags

activities advocacy aging in place Alzheimer's assisted living basics behavior behaviors caregiver health caregiver support care plan care recipient Christy Turner communication conversations education emotions end of life enrichment family holidays home intervene interview living well medications memory care Mike’s Blog music outdoors patient medical patient needs peace of mind planning podcast prevention purpose safety stress technology training universal design video webinar workshop

Don’t be unprepared for the challenges you will face when caring for someone who is living with Alzheimer’s dementia.

Your FREE Guide is Ready!

Yes, I’d Like to Learn More

About TinT

My name is Mike Good and I created Together in This to help educate all caregivers by providing you with streamlined resources and easy to use tools. I cover general caregiver topics and emphasize solutions for Alzheimer's disease. I  have several friends that are affected by the disease, some of whom don’t remember me from day to day. I have met dozens of caregivers that … More…

       SITEMAP     LEGAL

Mission

Become a streamlined resource of information, ideas, and solutions, delivered in layman’s terms; empowering unpaid caregivers to feel supported both emotionally and practically, as they undertake their care partnering role with a cherished love one.

Vision

Unpaid family caregivers are empowered to maximize the safety and well-being of their loved one while maintaining their own health and livelihood; thereby, delaying the need for paid assisted living.

As Recently Seen On:

As Seen On

Follow TinT!

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on Google+Follow Us on TwitterFollow Us on YouTube

Newsletter Sign-up

Copyright © 2025 Together in This       |       Site Design by Greg Klamt
Disclaimer: Content on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical, legal, or financial advice.