345: How to Preserve Dignity and Purpose in Dementia Care

For many of us, the scariest part of dementia isn’t the diagnosis itself—it’s the fear of losing our purpose, value, and roles. In this episode, Teepa Snow and Greg Phelps explore how to protect dignity while abilities shift by using substitution instead of subtraction. When a role needs to change, Teepa shares practical ways to offer a new job first—so the person isn’t left feeling sidelined. You’ll also hear why waiting for a crisis makes everything harder, and how the PIPES approach can help you plan role changes with more calm, clarity, and partnership.

Feeling the shift in roles at home? Start with the Family Care Partner Starter Kit to build shared language, reduce friction, and keep your person involved in meaningful ways—one step at a time.

This episode is educational and not medical advice.

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