Accepting the Challenge: The GEMS® Dementia States
Presented by Teepa Snow and Melanie Bunn
This is part three of a four-part series, Accepting the Challenge, on caring for people with dementia. This course introduces the GEMS® Brain Change Model as a structured way to recognize and categorize the six different functional states a person with dementia may experience, using the corresponding metaphor (Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Amber, Ruby, and Pearl) to clearly identify their remaining abilities and changing care needs. The course also provides practical, real-life demonstrations that show care partners how to tailor their use of the Positive Physical Approach™ and Positive Verbal Communication™ skills when assisting individuals across different GEMS® states during essential care tasks, such as personal care and mealtimes.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the characteristics and abilities associated with each GEMS® State of brain change
- Recognize how Positive Physical Approach™ and Positive Verbal Communication™ skills are adapted across GEMS® States
- Select appropriate personal care techniques based on an individual’s current GEMS® State
- List common eating and drinking challenges for individuals in different GEMS® States
- Choose adaptive strategies to support safe and effective mealtime participation
Meet your instructors
Teepa Snow
Teepa Snow is an advocate for those living with dementia. She has made it her personal mission to help families and professionals better understand how it feels to be living with such challenges and seeks to change and improve life for everyone involved. Her practice has included everything from neuro intensive care units in…
Melanie Bunn
Melanie Bunn, a Speaker and Mentor with Teepa’s Snow’s Positive Approach to Care®, received her undergraduate degree in nursing from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, her master’s degree in Family Health Nursing from Clemson University and a Post-Master’s Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Certificate from Duke…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. GEMS® States
This chapter introduces the GEMS® Brain Change Model as a framework for recognizing and understanding the six different functional states a person with dementia may be in (Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Amber, Ruby, Pearl), using metaphors to describe remaining abilities and associated care needs.
2. GEMS® States in Action: Personal Care
This chapter provides concrete, real-life demonstrations of how to apply both the Positive Physical Approach™ (PPA) and Positive Verbal Communication™ (PVC) skills when providing personal care (like dressing or bathing) to individuals in different GEMS® states.
3. GEMS® States in Action: Mealtimes
The final chapter of this course illustrates how to use the Positive Physical Approach™ (PPA) and Positive Verbal Communication™ (PVC) skills to successfully manage the unique challenges of mealtimes and encourage eating for individuals in different GEMS® states.
More courses in this series
Accepting the Challenge: Defining Dementia and Brain Change
Teepa Snow and Melanie Bunn
Accepting the Challenge: Positive Physical Approach™ for Dementia
Melanie Bunn and Teepa Snow
Accepting the Challenge: The GEMS® Dementia States
Melanie Bunn and Teepa Snow
Accepting the Challenge: Challenging Situations in Dementia Care
Melanie Bunn and Teepa Snow
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