360: Is Doomscrolling Rewiring Our Brains — and What Does That Mean for Dementia Care?

Is brain rot caused by screen time just a Gen Z problem — or does it affect everyone supporting those living with dementia? The term brain rot was coined by Henry David Thoreau in 1854 to describe the preference for simple ideas over complex ones. Today, endless scrolling and passive screen time have made it a modern epidemic — and it has real implications for dementia care. In this episode, Teepa Snow and Greg Phelps explore the difference between passive observation and active engagement, why that distinction matters for people living with brain change, and how care partners can use conversation, curiosity, and connection to stimulate meaningful interaction. You'll learn: Why passive TV watching and internet scrolling look similar in the brain — and why that matters How active conversation creates cognitive demand that passive media simply can't What care partners can do differently to encourage real engagement How Positive Approach to Care® courses and video resources can help you build true engagement skills Whether you're supporting at home or in a facility, the tools you use to connect make a difference. This episode will change how you think about screen time — for your person, and for yourself. Ready to build real engagement skills? Positive Approach to Care® Champion Courses give you practical, hands-on tools to connect more meaningfully with those you're supporting — and skill demonstration is required, not just course completion.