Philosophy:
Happiness is loving what you do! And helping people with dementia enjoy their lives is very fulfilling and a lot of fun. When you’re with someone living with dementia, you enter their world, and when they let you in, you realize how much grace, humor and friendship there is to be found. Even their challenging behaviors are evidence of the life inside that person adapting to an ever-changing relationship with this world.
While I greatly appreciate the courage and humanity people living with dementia manifest as they move through this disease, I also appreciate the tremendous amount of love and energy that is required of their family members. I never cease to be amazed by their strength and tenacity, and I take great satisfaction in empowering them with the tools and support they need.
Biography:
Before starting HARMONY, Rebecca spent seven years as an activity director/activity assistant for an 85-resident memory care facility. She designed a program to meet the needs of all different personalities and levels of disease, and learned an incredible amount from these wonderful people and their families.
Rebecca became a Certified PAC Trainer through Positive Approach® to Care (Teepa Snow’s company) and a Certified Dementia Practitioner through the NCCDP. She has a B.S. in psychology from the University of Utah, and graduated with honors from the Utah College of Massage Therapy. She’s been a musician for many years (including several spent as the pianist of a large swing band) and loves sharing music. Rebecca has extensive training in adaptive exercise, art, nutrition and education. She is CPR and first-aid certified and pursues continuing education through the Oregon Health Care Association and other organizations. She is fluent in Spanish and moderately proficient in American Sign Language.
HARMONY is licenced and insured.
In addition to this work, Rebecca’s passions include the great outdoors, baseball, opera, and her three wonderful children.