From The Heart Supportive Care

04/25/2026

One of the first comments I get when a Caregiver reaches out is

“They’re resisting care.”

As frustrating and confusing as this may be for Caregivers- it may help to understand you're person is not resisting care… they’re remembering how it felt- and in dementia and cognitive change, a single negative care experience can leave a lasting impact.

Not because the person is being difficult, and not necessarily because they don't understand- but because the brain remembers feeling before it remembers facts.

A rushed bath.
A cold room.
Too many instructions.
Feeling exposed, confused, or overwhelmed…..

Even if they can’t explain it after the fact…their body remembers: “That didn’t feel safe.”
and this is where we witness the result of that feeling the next time care is offered.

Caregivers may see:
• “No”
• Pulling away
• Agitation/Aggression
• Shutdown
-all labeled as resistance.

But here's the thing: that's not resistance…..that's protection.

That's the brain doing exactly what it’s designed to do—avoid what feels unsafe.

As a result, this is where care often goes wrong:

We try to push through.
We explain more.
We expect cooperation….

without realizing a dysregulated brain cannot:
• process instructions
• follow direction
• respond in expected ways

This is why Restorative Engagement (RE) matters.

RE doesn’t start with the task….it starts with safety in order to:

• Slow the process down
• Reduce overwhelm
• Lead with connection
• Use what still feels familiar to a person
Because when the brain feels safe again…care becomes possible.

With dementia and cognitive change, we don’t have a behaviour problem, we have a regulation and safety problem….and when we understand that…
Everything about care changes.

From The Heart Supportive Care 💜
“Where regulation restores safety, and care becomes possible.”

Connect with us today
www.fthconnect.ca
Fthconnect@outlook.com
613-532-0316

04/10/2026

If you're a Caregiver, you know each day brings it's own surprises.

Today was one of those days for Marlene.
Damp, dreary days are always a challenge for someone living with a TBI- But thanks to some creative wifi connecting and endless patience, Marl's husband got our Guided VR up and running like a dream.

After a swim with a few dolphins and snorkeling with some stingrays, Marl's was ready to get out of bed and freshen up for the day (the first time this week, mind you)...PLUS, she decided we needed an updated Facebook banner to showcase her newest dress.

Have I mentioned how much I love this work?💜

**Story post shared with permission

04/09/2026

Who says you can't go to the golf course in the middle of a blizzard?🥰

*shared with permission

04/07/2026

Caregivers spoke, and we listened. Our Caregiver Coffee Date will now be virtual so all can attend. Please message for details.

04/06/2026

The brain is nothing short of incredible—finding ways to reach, respond, and connect, even when so much has changed.....and this is why we don’t give up.

Even with dementia or cognitive change, the brain can still respond in meaningful ways. It may not work the same, but it is still capable of connection, comfort, and moments of clarity.

Neuroplasticity doesn’t stop the disease.
👉 But it helps shape the person’s experience within it.
And through it all:
👉 Connection remains one of the most powerful pathways we have.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1adaYUJV5Q/

Doctors said Christina Santhouse would never live normally after losing half her brain at age eight but she earned two degrees and became a speech pathologist, proving the extraordinary power of neuroplasticity.At just eight years old, Christina underwent radical hemispherectomy to stop relentless seizures caused by Rasmussen's encephalitis. Surgeons removed the entire right half of her brain, leading many medical experts to predict permanent dependence and limited cognitive function.However, Christina's journey became a landmark case for neuroplasticity and human resilience. Rather than succumbing to predicted limitations, she spent her youth relearning basic motor skills and pushing past physical barriers imposed by surgery.

Her determination yielded extraordinary results. She obtained her driver's license at seventeen—something doctors said would be impossible. She went on to excel academically, completing both bachelor's and master's degrees in just five years.Today, she works as a speech-language pathologist, utilizing professional expertise and personal history of resilience to help others overcome communication challenges. Her life serves as powerful reminder that the brain's ability to adapt is profound, and a medical prognosis does not define ultimate potential. When doctors tell you what's impossible, remember Christina thriving with half a brain and helping others find their voice.Reference: Johns Hopkins Medicine (2011) "Christina's Story: Life After Hemispherectomy" Johns Hopkins Children's Center

04/05/2026

Sleep doesn’t usually start at bedtime.

It starts in how the day has been experienced.
In dementias and cognitive change, families often tell me:
“Evenings are the hardest.”
“Sleep is so broken.”
“They seem so unsettled at night.”
And it makes sense—when we look at what the brain has been carrying all day.

I often explain it like this…
As processing changes, the brain has more difficulty:
• Filtering what’s important
• Organizing what it’s seeing and feeling
• Making sense of the environment
So everyday moments don’t get processed and “closed” the way they once did.
👉 The tabs stay open (much like an over-burdened computer).
Over time, this builds into:
• Cognitive overload
• A sense of feeling overwhelmed or unsafe
• A nervous system that stays “on alert”
And by the evening, the brain is carrying far more than it can comfortably hold.

This is where Restorative Engagement comes in. Not at bedtime…But throughout the day.

🌿 Through gentle, consistent support, we:
• Create a sense of safety
• Calm the nervous system
• Reduce cognitive overload
• Support executive function in simple, familiar ways
• Help the brain “close those tabs” as the day unfolds

Because when nothing is helping regulate and organize the day, the brain doesn’t reset at night. It carries everything forward.
👉 But when the day is supported differently…
Families often begin to see:
• Calmer evenings
• Less restlessness and agitation
• More ease in transitions
• A quieter, more settled environment
And something important shifts—not just for the individual, but for everyone.

Caregivers often share:
“I can finally breathe in the evening.”
“It feels calmer.”
“It’s not as overwhelming anymore.”

We don’t try to fix sleep at night—we support the brain throughout the day so it can rest when it’s ready.

When the day is supported,
the night becomes more restful—for everyone.

🌿 From the Heart Supportive Care

03/31/2026

We are currently building our content library and look forward to launching our Guided VR Restorative Engagement Program.

This non-pharmacological, evidence-informed approach helps support emotional regulation, preserve remaining abilities, and reduce behaviour expressions—supporting greater comfort and participation in personal care.
Offered within PSW scope as an observational, non-clinical approach that complements existing care.

Please reach out to learn more.

By: Cyrelle Muskat, Director, Quality Systems, Wellness and Culture, Baycrest Hospital and Long-Term Care and Interim Chief Heritage Officer

03/30/2026

It’s Monday again… and you know what that means 💜
Our final module of the Dementia-Informed Caregiving Series is now available.

Over the past 5 weeks, we’ve walked together through understanding behaviour expressions, sensory overload, regulation, triggers… and now, dignity and de-escalation.

This series was created to offer caregivers something simple, but powerful —
a different way of seeing, understanding, and responding...and if there’s one thing we hope you take with you, it’s this:
👉 Behaviour is not the problem — it is communication
👉 Regulation comes before reasoning
👉 Dignity must always be protected
👉 And even in change… the person is still there

Caregiving is not for the faint of heart.
It asks for patience, flexibility, and emotional strength in ways few truly understand.....and
yet, every day, you continue to show up.

Please know this:
Your presence matters more than perfection
Your calm brings safety
Your connection brings comfort
Even on the hardest days… you are making a difference.

From the Heart Supportive Care is honoured to walk alongside you on this journey 💜

01/09/2026

Enjoy our new BLOG SERIES:
The Gift of The Present: A new series for a new year.

Are you a family or friend living through a dementia diagnosis?
Connect with us each Friday for tips and insight on learning how to see the gift of the present with your loved one.

www.fthconnect.ca

The Gift Of The Present

01/01/2026

Our first blog post of 2026. Happy New Year!

Written From The Heart by Lynda Heaslip The new year often arrives carrying expectations—fresh routines, goals, and a quiet pressure to “do better than last year.” But when you love someone who is aging or living with dementia, the new year asks something very different of you.It asks for surr...

12/24/2025

Wishing all our families and friends a wonderful holiday season and Merry Christmas!

12/04/2025

Connect with us on this week's blog for Finding the Right Gift.

www.Fthconnect.ca

written From The Heart Lynda Heaslip