5/ The reality is, the ER can’t solve systemic gaps in dementia care or long-term care placement. It’s frustrating for everyone, but crises aren’t the time to start these conversations. Proactive planning makes all the difference—for you and for your loved one.

4/ To families: I know this is heartbreaking, but waiting until the holidays to act limits everyone’s options. If you only see your loved one once a year, it’s easy to miss signs of decline. Early planning and regular engagement are critical to managing dementia effectively.

3/ Placement is complex. It requires medical assessments, legal paperwork, capacity evaluations, and often lengthy waitlists. None of this can happen in a single ER visit, especially during the holidays when facilities are either full or simply not accepting new residents.

2/ Here’s the thing: dementia doesn’t happen overnight, and the ER is not equipped to solve chronic care crises. Our job is to manage acute emergencies, not to shortcut the months-long process of evaluating, planning, and securing a long-term care placement.

Bingo!

“Show me a patient diagnosed with treatment resistant depression, and the likelihood is that I will show you someone whose underlying personality dynamics were never understood or addressed in psychotherapy.”

I was in that class. Yes, too long. Next course I’m taking will be the 3 evening 4 hours courses (instead of the 8+4).

You finish the builder project yet?

🙋‍♂️