We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Adria Thompson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Adria below.

Hi Adria , thanks for joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

For some background information, I have been a speech language pathologist for 10 years. I provide one-on-one speech therapy services to adults in long term care communities such as nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care communities. As an SLP, I assess and treat deficits in the areas of communication, cognition, and swallowing. Many SLPs will have their preferences or specialities as we cover a wide range of services and in my 4th year of being an SLP, things changed for me.

I think I can trace all this back to one patient, and we’ll call her Patty. Looking back over my time as a speech therapist and my role in working with people with dementia, Patty stands out as the perfect example of where that shift in my approach began. I was working in a memory care unit, and I started working with Patty, who had just moved into the community. She had moderate dementia.

Up until then, I had been doing a lot of workbook-style, memory drill, and very formal speech therapy with her that was modeled for me by other SLPs in grad school and in my career. However, it was at this point that I started questioning, “What the heck am I doing?” These workbooks and desk-style therapy wasn’t making any discernible difference in the lives of my patients. Each time I returned for a session with Patty, she had no memory or carryover of our previous sessions, which made me question my role.

I had a strong connection with Patty; she was one of those patients with whom I really clicked and built a strong relationship. One day, while I was there to see someone else, I heard Patty screaming in the shower. It sounded so severe that I thought she was in danger, but she was just being assisted to take a shower. Two or three aides were with her, and she was terrified, screaming, kicking, hitting. They seemed unfazed as this was a regular occurrence, which didn’t sit right with me.

After witnessing this, I felt compelled to help, even though I wasn’t sure how it fit into a “speech therapy session.” So, I asked an aide if I could assist with Patty’s next shower. They were puzzled, questioning what a speech therapist could contribute. Despite not knowing precisely how I could help, I knew I needed to try.

During my sessions, I began assisting with her showers. Initially, I lacked the specific skills for bathing someone, but I was there, observing. I noticed the lack of effective communication; the aides would give verbal instructions, but if Patty didn’t respond immediately, they’d proceed with physical assistance without giving her time to process. I realized then that this was a communication issue at its core.

Gradually, I became more involved, eventually reaching a point where I could approach Patty, help her understand what was happening, and prepare her for the shower. With improved communication, the process became smoother, transitioning from requiring three aides to just one, eliminating Patty’s combativeness and fear. The showers became a normal, uneventful part of her day.

This experience with Patty was a turning point for me. It highlighted how my skills could be pivotal in contexts beyond conventional speech therapy. It was the beginning of a new approach, where I realized the broader impact I could have in enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with dementia. I started making sure my therapy services were functional and began teaching other SLPs to do the same.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Adria Thompson, a speech-language pathologist specializing in dementia care. My journey into this field began over ten years ago, fueled by a blend of personal experience receiving speech therapy services at a young age. After earning my Master’s in Communication Disorders, I recognized a pressing need for specialized support in the dementia community. This became apparent in my profession but also after my grandmother receiving a diagnosis of dementia, which led me to create Be Light Care Consulting.

At Be Light, I concentrate on offering education, advocacy, and practical strategies to aid individuals with dementia and their caregivers. My main focus is on creation of 15-to-90 second videos on social media platforms. Through direct consultations, workshops, or my online platform, my aim is to equip caregivers and professionals with essential knowledge and tools to enhance care quality. I tackle common challenges in dementia care, such as overcoming communication hurdles and managing behavioral issues, by providing solutions that are both impactful and infused with empathy.

What distinguishes me is my dedication to translating complex medical information into accessible, actionable advice. I take pride in unraveling the complexities of dementia, simplifying evidence based interventions and best practices into terms that are easy to understand and apply. My approach is personalized, hands-on, and rooted in compassion, which resonates with a community of over 310,000 social media followers who trust in my guidance.

I am most proud of the tangible difference I’ve made in the dementia care landscape—witnessing firsthand the transformation in care approaches and the direct benefits for individuals living with dementia. I receive daily messages of gratitude from friends and family of individuals with dementia who learned techniques and information from my videos that positively impacted their ability to connect. For potential clients or followers, I want you to know that at Be Light Care Consulting, your journey is my focus. I’m here to illuminate the path in dementia care, offering support, clarity, and hope at every step.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Listening attentively to individuals with dementia and their caregivers has been the most invaluable form of training and education I could receive. It’s one thing to have theoretical knowledge and clinical skills, but it’s entirely another to understand the real-world challenges, emotions, and experiences of those directly affected by dementia. By maintaining close connections with patients and their families, I ensure that my approaches, strategies, and solutions are not just theoretically sound but genuinely resonate with and address their needs. This direct feedback loop is crucial for me to stay aligned with their realities, ensuring that my work is relevant, impactful, and truly supportive.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Originally, my expertise and efforts were centered on training care staff in long-term care communities, alongside physical, occupational, and speech therapists. My mission was to branch off in my own business in order to provide trainings in long term care communities. However, I was met with many questions since many were unaware of the significant role an SLP plays in supporting people with dementia. To address this gap and showcase my expertise, I started creating and posting educational videos on social media platforms. Initially, these videos were intended merely as a tool to demonstrate my knowledge and skills.

However, within just a few months, something unexpected happened. I gained tens of thousands of followers, which was a clear indicator that there was a profound need for the information I was providing. It wasn’t just professional caregivers who were seeking guidance; family caregivers at home were in desperate need of support and training. They lacked the resources and knowledge necessary to care for their loved ones effectively.

This overwhelming response led me to a pivotal moment in my career. I realized that while training professionals was important, there was a pressing need for creating more social media video content for family caregivers. Acknowledging this, I shifted my focus aiming to provide them with the tools and knowledge they needed to improve their care quality. This pivot wasn’t just a change in direction; it was a response to a clear call for help, allowing me to extend my impact and support to those who needed it most, right in their homes.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.belightcare.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/belightcare
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/belightcare
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/adrialthompson/
• Other: TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@belightcare