Happy Sunday! This past week we took a trip from Cleveland to New Jersey where we were privileged to participate in an Alzheimer’s education conference. It is exciting and rewarding to know that our products in The Brainy Day Activity Program are able to generate excitement and promote hope to care givers in many different forms providing care.
Hope is such a word of anticipation. Listening to the many people who came by our table at the conference, it was a repeated unspoken longing – that life for the individual and the life for the caregiver could be brighter and our Brainy Day Activity Program spawned that possibility for hope.
Interaction carries a built in hope that isn’t always realized, depending upon the ability of the individual with memory loss as well as the expectations of the one doing the interacting. Very often the social life of the person with dementia will decrease after the diagnosis because people have very low expectations that dialogue can happen. However, being social and connecting with others remains a core internal need and is an activity that is important to continue with the person.
Some of the guidelines for increasing the social interaction in the person with memory loss include:
1. Never argue with the person – This not only makes great sense, because, as anyone who has tried the route of the argument knows, it is a defeating waste of time and energy. It is close to impossible to try to convince the person with Alzheimer’s that they are wrong. It is also almost cruel to try to expect them to see things “realistically” when they are in the world of dementia. As a care provider, it also causes one to use up much negative energy and there is only so much overall get-up-and-go to be had each day. It makes sense to use the energy wisely.
2. Ask questions to engage the person but ask in such a way that you are giving them choices for the answer. For instance “do you like to use a fork or spoon?” Ask the question so that there is an “or” in the sentence.
3. “Help them” with sentences when they have difficulty finding words or finishing sentences by filling in the blanks or guiding them to the word in a very positive way. If they make a statement using an incorrect word or phrase, restate the sentence providing the correct information.
4. Make statements that provide associations for the person which relate to their past experiences. Say things that may help lead them into reminiscing. “I understand you had the best garden.” “You liked to plant flowers.”
All of these tips can help detour the difficulty of interacting and socializing together. Mary Ann
About Me
- Mary Ann
- For the past 18 years I have been actively working with seniors in the field of activities. I've cherished what they've taught me over the years through their wisdom, insights, knowledge and humor. While I loved all my interactions, my heart continually navigated to those living with dementia, especially people who had progressed in the disease process. It never failed to touch me that the right activity or song, or reminiscence could often produce a spark, a smile or a light in their eyes. I could hear them through challenging behaviors saying "It's me! I'm still here! Don't forget about me!" I feel so passionate about the importance activity pursuits have in wellness and wholeness for the individual affected by dementia. It is true too for the family members and care providers who are just as profoundly affected. Activities can bring moments of hope, fun, joy and laughter to the journey. Hopefully, this site can be a forum for sharing some of what I learned along the way that provides a detour - a different way to look at dementia.
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