Foster Senior Services

09/30/2026

HEADS UP! 🧠

When we think about wearing a seat belt or putting on a helmet, we usually think about preventing an injury today.

But protecting your head may also be part of protecting your brain health for the future.

A history of traumatic brain injury is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia, particularly with more severe or repeated injuries.

That doesn't mean every head injury leads to dementia.

It means prevention matters.

🚗 Wear your seat belt.
🚲 Wear your helmet when riding a bike.
🏈 Protect your head during contact sports.
🧠 Take brain injury seriously.

The brain you're protecting today is the brain you're going to need tomorrow.

Save this reminder and share it with someone you care about. 💜

09/25/2026

09/24/2026

“Is there anything I can do to reduce my risk of developing dementia?”

This is the 2nd most common question I get in my dementia education sessions.

And my answer might surprise you:

❤️ Follow your heart. It may help protect your brain, too.

Your brain doesn’t exist in isolation from the rest of your body. What affects your cardiovascular health can also affect your cognitive health.

Risk factors such as:
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• High cholesterol
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking
can increase the risk of problems with blood vessels and circulation, which can negatively affect the brain over time.

That doesn’t mean you can completely prevent dementia. Some risk factors, including age and genetics, are beyond our control.

But there are things we can do to support brain health throughout our lives.

Move your body.
Know your numbers.
Manage chronic conditions.
Eat in ways that support your overall health.
Stay socially and mentally engaged.
Get enough sleep.
And don’t wait until you notice a problem to start caring for your brain.

❤️Health = 🧠Health

This is Part 2 of my series answering the questions I hear most often about dementia.

What dementia question do you want me to answer next?

09/23/2026

🧠 “What’s the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia?”

This is probably the #1 question I get during my dementia seminars.

And honestly, I understand why. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they don’t mean the same thing.

Dementia is an umbrella term for changes in memory, thinking, communication, and other cognitive abilities that interfere with daily life.

Alzheimer’s disease is a specific brain disease and the most common cause of dementia.

So, Alzheimer’s is dementia, but not all dementia is Alzheimer’s.

Understanding the difference matters because the cause of someone’s dementia can affect how we understand their symptoms, provide care, communicate with them, and support their family.

This is why dementia education matters. 💜

What’s one dementia-related question you’ve always wanted to ask?

09/09/2026

During National Preparedness Month, remember that confusion, fear, wandering, or agitation during an emergency may reflect brain changes: not refusal to cooperate.

As a Certified Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Care Trainer, I equip first responders to recognize possible dementia-related needs and respond in ways that protect safety and dignity.

In the field:

Approach with calm, slow movements.
Introduce yourself and explain what you are doing.
Give the person space and time to respond.
Avoid arguing, crowding, or giving multiple instructions at once.
Look for identification, emergency information, or a care-partner contact.
Connect with a family care partner or other trusted person when present.

A person living with dementia may be frightened by flashing lights, unfamiliar voices, or rapid changes in the environment. A calm, informed response can reduce escalation and support better communication.

The Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia Care (ADDC) Seminar is your first step to becoming a CDP and the first step toward becoming a Certified Dementia Practitioner through NCCDP. It provides practical education for professionals and care partners serving people living with dementia.

Send Foster Senior Services a DM with RESPOND for training information. LinkedIn readers may also visit the Featured section. 💜

09/08/2026

I am deeply honored to be recognized as a 2026 Virginia 100 Women of Color honoree.

I am passionate about the work I do and the people and communities I serve. This recognition is meaningful to me, and I do not take it lightly.

I am grateful for this honor and for everyone who continues to support and encourage me along the way. 💜 The 100 Women of Color Virginia Gala is Friday, October 23, 2026 at the Hippodrome. Get your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/eU53Tunp

09/03/2026

Thoughts?

08/31/2026

Strong partnerships make practical, person-centered support possible.

I am grateful to the CARITAS staff who participated in a completed Skills Training session. CARITAS is a nonprofit supporting people facing homelessness, substance addiction, or joblessness. Their work requires care partnering that responds to complex and changing needs.

Care partnering is not limited to traditional healthcare or family caregiving. It can include supporting safety, housing stability, recovery, employment, daily needs, communication, dignity, and connection.

Practical skills training helps staff recognize what a person may be communicating through words, actions, or changing needs. It also strengthens the ability to respond with patience, respect, and confidence while protecting each person’s dignity.

Thank you to The Span Center, Greater Richmond’s local Area Agency on Aging; VCU Gerontology; and the Virginia Center on Aging for helping strengthen education and support across our communities. I also want to recognize the CARITAS team for the important work you do every day.

What roles of care partnering do you see in your organization or community? If this message resonates with you, share your perspective in the comments. Comment below.

08/25/2026

There is no universally best dementia screening tool. The best choice depends on the purpose of screening, available time, training, language, education, accessibility, and the person’s preferences.

Mini-Cog: One of the fastest options, often about 3–5 minutes.

MMSE: Widely recognized and studied, but proprietary and less sensitive to some milder changes.

MoCA: Broader coverage, often about 10–15 minutes, with training and licensing considerations.

SLUMS: A free, broader alternative, often about 7–10 minutes, with education-level considerations.

SAGE: Self-administered, which may support privacy and repeated monitoring. However, it still requires appropriate professional follow-up.

AD8 and GPCOG: Can incorporate observations from an informant, such as a family care partner.

Research has not established one tool as universally better than the others. Sensitivity and specificity can vary depending on the population, setting, language, education, culture, and how the tool is administered.

Providers should also consider vision, hearing, motor ability, fatigue, anxiety, technology access, consent, and the person’s preference. Delirium, depression, medication effects, pain, sleep disruption, and functional changes may also affect results.

Self-assessment appears feasible and acceptable for some people, but privacy preference does not guarantee that follow-up will happen. A concerning result requires appropriate follow-up, and a negative result does not end evaluation when concerns remain.

The key question is: What decision will this result inform next?

Which screening tool does your setting use, and why? Comment below. 💜