What Do We Do When They Say No? Navigating Care Refusals in Dementia with Adria Thompson

What Do We Do When They Say No? Navigating Care Refusals in Dementia with Adria Thompson, Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist & Founder, Be Light Care Consulting

What do we do when someone we love says no to the very thing we believe will help them most? When the care we’re offering—maybe with every good intention—gets met with resistance, pushback, or a flat-out refusal? If you’ve ever stood in that tender, frustrating moment, you’re not alone. Refusals of care are one of the most common and challenging experiences for anyone supporting a person living with dementia. But what if the issue isn’t just what we’re asking—but how, when, and why we’re asking it?

We’re talking about dementia, refusals of care, and how we navigate these moments with more understanding and less fear. We’ll talk about what it means when someone is labeled as “non-compliant,” explore what might be going on behind that resistance, and dig into what we can do—starting with better communication, thoughtful environments, and truly knowing the person we’re supporting. This episode is packed with practical ideas and insight, not from a textbook, but from lived experience and deep expertise.

Joining me is Adria Thompson, a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, award-winning educator, and the brilliant mind behind Be Light Care Consulting. Adria brings a grounded, compassionate voice to dementia care. She’s spent over nine years supporting both professional and family caregivers, creating content that meets people where they are. We recorded this together in Cannes, France at the Silver Eco Festival—an incredible international event where Adria was honored with an award, and where we shared a panel together. You’ll walk away from this episode with not only new tools but new hope.

Listen to our episode HERE.

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About Adria Thompson

Adria Thompson is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with over 9 years of experience in dementia care. She holds a master's and bachelor's degree in Communication Disorders from Eastern Kentucky University. She is the owner of Be Light Care Consulting, where she creates educational content for professional and personal caregivers on social media platforms. Adria also provides one-on-one caregiver consultations, creates continuing education courses, and works with senior care companies and brands to market their services. With a passion for increasing awareness of dementia care, Adria is a sought-after speaker who has presented at conferences and events across the country.

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We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.

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