Dementia has a deep impact not only on those who are diagnosed but also on the people who are closest to them. Family members have to take on different responsibilities when a relative is diagnosed with dementia. As the disease progresses, you or others in your family may find the changing roles tough to accept. It may become harder when roles change in some ways, but not in others. When this happens, it can lead to some confusion about how to act. It sometimes takes a while to figure out just who will do what.Perry interviews Jessica Whittemore, a social worker with Hospice of the Chesapeake. She discusses the necessity of advance care planning, the procedure, and the problems that families may experience when discussing the subject. She also discusses the difficulties that families face when a family member has dementia. She also mentions the signs and behaviors of individuals with dementia, as well as how to deal with them. She went on to explain what a social worker does and why it's crucial when dealing with individuals with dementia and their loved ones.Key TakeawaysImportance of Advance Care Planning especially with Dementia PatientsThe Process of Having an Advance Care Planning ProcessThe Challenges Faced By Families when Discussing Advance Care PlanningKnowing the Legal Aspects of Advance Care Planning for PatientsUnique Behavioral Challenges to Persons with DementiaThe Challenges and The Change of Family Dynamics Having a Family Member going through DementiaSymptoms and Behaviors of Dementia Patients based on Jessica's ExperienceDifferences between a Home Care and a Health Care Provider Facility For the Patient and the FamilySome Advice and Recommendations to Family Members with Dementia PatientsThe Important Role of Social Workers in regards To handling Dementia PatientsQuotesNobody wants to talk about death. But, you know, it's something that happens. - JessicaIt's hard having a dementia family member since many people don't recognize that they're going through all those grief phases at different times while their loved ones are still alive. - JessicaYou're going to see disagreements with family members because they all want to handle it differently, we all have instincts to handle it differently. - JessicaSocial workers working with patients with dementia, they're key in education, helping families understand what's going on. - JessicaFeatured in this EpisodeJessica WhittemoreLCSW-C, APHSW-C Clinical Practice SpecialistSocial Work Hospice of the ChesapeakeProfile: https://education.hospicechesapeake.org/speaker/jessica-whittemore-1288111 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-whittemore-bb49a3b8Website: https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/Contact Details: 443 - 837 - 3376Perry LimesDirector, Strategic PartnershipsHospice of the ChesapeakeProfile: https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/perry-limes/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/perrylimesResourceshttps://theconversationproject.org/https://chesapeakesupportivecare.org/Thanks and AppreciationsWe'd like to thank the John & Cathy Belcher Institute for their generous support of our community outreach and education programs.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:55 Jessica's Background and her Profession as a Social Work03:46 How does Advance Care Planning Work With Dementia Patients?05:52 The Advance Care Planning Process06:05 The Challenges when Discussing Advance Care Planning10:45 The Legal Side of Advance Care Planning13:37 Unique Behavioral Challenges to Persons with Dementia15:56 Challenges of Families having a Family member with Dementia20:18 Symptoms and Behaviors of Dementia Patients based on Jessica's Experience22:16 Home Care vs Health Care Provider Facility 25:13 Advice and Recommendations to Families with Dementia Patients34:00 The Important Role of Social Workers in regards To handling Dementia Patients37:29 How To Reach Jessica37:54 Thanks and Appreciation