“And then in the car, on that day in 2006, when she was diagnosed, we were driving home and she was, I mean, dead silent. And I kept asking, you know, how do you feel? Cause she, of course, was near tears. And I said, how do you feel? What are you thinking? She’s not saying a word. So, at a traffic light, I reach over into my console, and I get my bag of legos.” Loretta Veney
Today Kim Hegwood speaks with Loretta Veney about
1. What’s the greatest lesson learned from caregiving for someone with dementia – being prepared for everything and ready for anything?
2. Using LEGO bricks to Engage with those with dementia
3. Greatest skills for dementia caregiving – patience and forgiveness
4. Finding Joy in caregiving
5. Handling wandering and other dementia behaviors
How to Contact Loretta
Website: www.lorettaveney.com; lwveney@lorettaveney.com
Facebook: Loretta Woodward Veney
LinkedIn: Loretta Veney
Instagram: lorettawoodwardveney
Bio:
Loretta Woodward Veney is an inspirational speaker who has delivered more than 300 speeches and presentations on dementia and caregiving since 2014, offering a wealth of information, encouragement, and humor to her audiences. Loretta is the author of Being My Mom’s Mom, Refreshment for the Caregiver’s Spirit, and Colors Flowing from My Mind. In 2006 after her beloved mother Doris was diagnosed with dementia, Loretta began learning everything she could about the disease, becoming a fierce advocate for her Mom in the process.
Loretta and her Mom have been featured in articles in the Wall Street Journal, Psychology Today, The Washington Post, The NY Times, AARP Caregiver Stories, as well as a PBS special. In 2019, Loretta was selected as Trailblazer of the Year by Johns Hopkins Medicine. In November 2021 Loretta and her Mom were featured in Episode 6 of Season Four of Robin Roberts Thriver Thursdays series, which was previewed on Good Morning America during National Caregivers Month. Loretta’s Mom’s 16-year journey with dementia ended on January 31, 2022. She will be missed by so many!!
Books or Other Products that would interest viewers:
1. Being My Mom’s Mom -2019
2. Refreshment for the Caregiver’s Spirit – 2019
3. A coloring book called Colors Flowing From My Mind – 2019
Author Bio
Kim Hegwood
Managing Attorney
Kim Hegwood is the Founder and Managing Attorney of Your Legacy Legal Care®, a Houston-based estate planning and elder law firm she established in 1998. A graduate of South Texas College of Law, Kim was inspired to focus her practice on elder law and estate planning after watching her own grandparents struggle with the challenges of aging. With nearly 30 years of experience, she helps families with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, Medicaid planning, and asset protection.
Kim is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and her firm has been named Best Trust & Estate Law Firm by the Houston Chronicle. A mother of three, she spends her free time with her children and grandchildren and volunteers with several local charities.
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