Month: July 2017
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5 Steps to Building in Meaningful Activity for Those with Dementia
Think about our own lives, what do you strive for? What gives you purpose and value? For each of us this is different. It may be a job, family, friends, hobbies, faith, etc. When we consider all of the things that give our lives meaning and fill us with happiness we find meaningful activity.
As seniors with dementia progress through the disease even in early stages it becomes more difficult to do these activities that give us meaning. If we can do them to some degree it becomes more difficult to do them to the same degree we once were able to. It becomes more of a struggle to find new things that we can do to replace those that we no longer can do. Dementia typically begins slowly and is milder in the beginning stages. This however worsens over time. As individuals identify for themselves that things are becoming too difficult they begin to pull away. This is where it becomes important for loved ones and caregivers to begin to identify what can assist us in building meaningful activity in our lives to fill these voids.
More commonly, dementia causes the individual to withdraw from those things that they may once have loved. We know though that when we maintain a level of activity and relationships that we can reduce or delay the effects of cognitive impairment and increase the overall quality of life. Continued activity in interests and hobbies can jog the memory and keeps the mind as well as the body functioning.
Some tips on building meaningful activity into our everyday lives:
- Find tasks they can still complete successfully.
These tasks will mean a lot over the years, if they can maintain the ability to put their socks on, let them keep putting their socks on no matter how long it might take. This can make your loved one feel a sense of accomplishment and independence. It also continues to allow their brain to keep working to maintain the ability to complete this task.
- Build in quiet activity.
Help them reminisce by building in quiet activities that don’t require much physical effort. Look through pictures, tell stories, read a book to me, listen to gentle music or sit outside and sip lemonade. These activities are can be calming and allow my brain the ability to increase activity while letting their physical body rest.
- Get in some movement throughout the day.
Movement and physical activity can look different for each person. It might be taking a walk with them, throwing a ball back and forth, or just swaying to some music. No matter what the movement looks like build safe physical activity in for your loved one to keep blood flowing and the brain making those much needed connections. It also helps your loved one feel more engaged with life and this participation fosters feelings of independence.
- Consider their interests and hobbies.
Think about the activities they once loved to do, build these into their day or week. These not only will increase their overall mood but also keep their brain reminiscing about the past. This would be a great time to bring up old stories as your loved one may be able to recall more details while doing an activity that is associated with these old memories.
- Modify the activity.
Think about how a task might need to be completed; does your loved one need some accommodations to now complete this activity successfully? Dementia can affect behavior and emotions, modifying activities can assist in decreasing these behaviors by making the task seem less overwhelming or frustrating. Also, don’t look for task completion or even if the task was done correctly instead set your sights on creating feelings of joy and happiness.
No matter what the activity is that you are doing with your loved one make sure to focus on the feelings it creates. Look for those nonverbal cues that they are enjoying themselves. If we included an additional step we might add making sure the caregiver is enjoying the activity. Your loved one will look to you for emotional feedback, if you are enjoying yourself it is more likely that they will too. That’s what this time is about anyways, focusing on the time spent together and how it made us feel.
Why It’s Time to Consider Assisted Living?
Our jobs as caregivers become very important as our family members and loved ones begin to age. Creating environments that are rich in culture, wellness and activity are important in increasing the elderly individuals overall quality of life and difficult to achieve at home. Increased quality of life is something we all strive for, and the elderly need us to help add to their overall experience. At times this becomes difficult to execute as our loved ones need more assistance as they begin to age. We begin exploring our options for the best level of care for our loved ones and at times it can seem overwhelming.
There are a lot of options available in the community and gathering all the information, taking tours and speaking to a variety of different people can make it difficult to assess the best possible placement for your loved one. Here are some things to consider when making your decision to consider Assisted Living:
- Mom or Dad is struggling to find meaning and interact with others.
As we age communication and everyday tasks can become more difficult. If you are noticing that your loved one is avoiding interaction and not taking the time to engage in once meaningful activities it may be time to consider assisted living. In an assisted living facility residents are encouraged to participate in activities as well as engage with others during meal times. At the Tanglewood Group we also provide wellness based activities as well as one-to-one activities to increase social interaction, decreasing depression and increasing their overall quality of life.
- They are struggling to complete everyday tasks.
When our loved one begins to decline in ways that interfere with completing basic hygiene tasks as well as laundry, taking their medications, etc. it may be time to consider a higher level of care. In an assisted living facility there are staff trained to assist them with completion of these tasks. Here at the Tanglewood Group we provide assistance with each resident’s individual needs to stay healthy and happy. These services include meal preparation, medication management, personal care services, case management services, and opportunities for socialization through our activities department as well as housekeeping and laundry services.
- Your loved one is showing signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Every person with dementia is unique and presents with different abilities as well as needs. For those living with dementia, everyday tasks can be a challenge. It is also a challenge for those whom care for those living with dementia. There are ways that our environment can be structured to assist us with everyday tasks maintaining our ability to continue to engage in meaningful activity. The ability to remain socially and physically active is a crucial measure for one’s quality of life. The single most important wayto help individuals living with dementia is to engage their brain, provide stimulation and increase their ability to remain purposefully involved in their surroundings. We can minimize depression, anger and sadness by creating moments that assist our loved ones and residents in the ability to sustain their quality of life.. Here at the Tanglewood Group we believe that good dementia care involves developing preference based activities that are tailored to the resident’s interests by getting to know the resident and using the information we know about that resident.
Although placement in a facility can be a difficult decision, it is always best to begin with assessing your loved ones overall happiness and the ability to meet their basic needs. If their quality of life is suffering it may be time to ask for help from those that can assist in making their final years comfortable and secure.
Dementia, Not Your Final Chapter
For many families and physicians there is a misunderstanding regarding the appropriate level of care for someone with dementia. Many of those with memory care needs can still live happy, active lives.
Happiness – from a sense of community and emotional attachment.
Assisted Living is not skilled nursing. The Tanglewood Group actively engages those with dementia in an adaptive environment delivering the opportunity to live a life with dignity and happiness. It is important to know the difference between assisted living and skilled nursing. Choosing the wrong level of care will restrict your loved one’s personal independence and overall quality of life.
A supportive environment – regardless of your choice in care.
Keeping your loved one with dementia at home may be the only decision others support. Here at the Tanglewood Group we understand that finding the best possible care for your loved one shouldn’t make you feel guilty, it isn’t selfish, it’s necessary. We offer CAREGIVER GROUPS that support whatever decision you feel best meets your loved one’s needs. We have years of real world experience delivering individual care to those with dementia, alleviating caregiver burnout along the way. We offer more than just peer supports but the support of professionals including a trained behavior specialist and mental health counselor that you won’t get anywhere else. Our unique approach includes experts with hands on training that have day to day experience caring for those living with dementia and can provide peace of mind about their future.
Care- every step of the way.
The Tanglewood Group accepts the desire of families to continue having their loved one with dementia living with us. We are able to work with agencies like Hospice to make this happen. When you think end of life care, think of us. Residents are able to stay in their familiar and reliable surroundings, well supported in their final stages of life with specially trained staff. We want your loved one to continue each stage of life with us!
We are the right level of care for you and your loved one. Come to the experts, you can trust. When you want the best in memory care you’ve got it all with the Tanglewood Group. 
Memory Care Support Group 