Sue McShane Paul OTR/L

They call me DQ… and it’s not for Dairy Queen.

I wasn’t supposed to be the Dementia Queen.  In fact, I was supposed to be a football trainer for the Miami Dolphins.  Apparently, fate and opportunity had different plans for me.

I have been an occupational therapist for over twenty years.  Early in my career, I discovered a segment of the population that was largely neglected by our healthcare system.  I contributed to that neglect, both through my lack of education and lack of motivation to correct the problem.  Alzheimer’s disease seemed a hopeless diagnosis to any physical or occupational therapist proficient in rehabilitating clients through the use of conventional, traditional therapeutic approaches.  No one was even aware of the possibility of a “back door”.

In 2001, I became a board certified geriatric specialist through the American Occupational Therapy Association.  Still, when it came to providing services to patients with Alzheimer’s disease, I was far from an expert.  Once I decided to legitimize my professional recognition, I found my true calling.  I also found the back door.

Alzheimer’s disease is a complex yet predictable journey in many aspects.  I have collected and categorized behaviors and skills unique to each stage of dementia, and have tried to offer interventions that may be of benefit to both the patient and the caregiver .  Some of these suggestions are based on empirical evidence, other are purely anecdotal.  None are meant as a substitute for your own judgment or for that of your physician.

I am both a teacher and a student of the evolving body of knowledge pertaining to the causes, symptoms, and treatments of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. I started this website in hopes that the information contained within helps someone, somewhere, who struggles with the challenges of Alzheimer’s.

A disclaimer… I do not live the 36 hour day. I do not pretend to know the exhaustion and exasperation of caregiving firsthand. I have the outsider perspective on many, if not all, of the opinions I express.

I welcome and encourage feedback and dialogue about many of the issues presented here.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

twitter: queenofdementia

email: DQ@thedementiaqueen.com