10/10/2026
Dementia care obviously has more challenges than nearly any other kind of caregiving. Consider Home Instead® Care Professional of the Month Jasmine Korte’s approach to assisting a client with moderate to severe dementia: “Even though some might have labeled her as a problem, I quickly perceived she needed people who had time, energy and patience to meet her where she was in her life’s journey and work with her appropriately to make her life easier.”
Jasmine had her work cut out for her, but as the weeks went by, Jasmine learned the client’s behavioral cues and how best to help her:
•“My client’s demeanor might be considered prickly by some, but the truth was she just needed more understanding than she was getting. Patience, empathy and compassion were ‘musts.’ ”
•“I learned that, despite her dementia, my client was still physically quite strong. I had to account for that.”
•“I also learned something as simple as using a big cup of warm water to wash her head instead of the shower turned what would usually be a fight to be bathed into an almost pleasant cleaning experience for her.”
•“I always was attentive during my overnight shifts because my client had the habit of getting up multiple times each night and wandering the halls of her memory care unit. Sometimes she’d wander into other residents’ rooms, and issues would ensue.”
•“I learned she appreciated having her hand held while she wandered so she knew I was there, and I could help guide her much easier than following behind her.”
Read more of Jasmine's story
Care Professional of the Month Jasmine Korte’s approach to assisting a client with moderate to severe dementia: “Even though some might have labeled her as a problem, I quickly perceived she needed people who had time, energy and patience to meet her where she was in her life’s journey and wor...
