Issue link: https://www.newlifestylesdigital.com/i/227199
Unique Dementia Care Activities Boost Quality Of Life by John Moschner According to the Alzheimer's Association, the planning of activities for individuals with Alzheimer's should be focused on the person, activity, approach, and place. Activities should be well-planned and customized to each person based on individual interests. Engage The Familiar Activities that promote cognitive skills can be helpful, but tasks should not be too difficult. And, although creating a consistent plan for all residents that includes typical activities of daily living is important, residents can respond differently based on their stage of Alzheimer's or dementia. Flexibility and experimentation are important as staff strive to create the most effective program for each individual. According to a Johns Hopkins University white paper, reminiscence is an activity that can be particularly beneficial to the resident with dementia while also strengthening family bonds, by using objects, art, music, or other items with personal meaning to connect to the past. "Sorting old photos or making a scrapbook may trigger shared memories from your loved one's youth or early adulthood, which can add to a family's sense of history," the paper says. "An emotion-linked aroma like that of freshly baked cookies may encourage the individual to talk about his or her childhood." Families are an important source of information in program planning and can be invaluable in suggesting activities that will help their loves ones reconnect with their memories. Asking residents' families to complete a biographical questionnaire or participate in an interview with facility staff can be extremely helpful. Interviewing residents can be even more valuable. These discussions should focus primarily on their past, as that is what they will most easily remember. It's important to ask residents about their families, occupations, hobbies, and important events in their life. Let the discussions develop naturally. When an interview is conducted correctly, staff may be surprised by the touching stories residents tell them. After successful interviews with residents and family members, staff members are prepared to customize activity programs to residents' interests. For example, if a resident has always loved painting, then staff could start a painting class or provide the resident with art supplies and a place to paint. Family members are encouraged to take part in activities and events. This is therapeutic not just for the residents but for the family members as well. Staff should caution the family to have realistic expectations about their loved ones' abilities and encourage participation without being critical. The most important aspect is focusing on the enjoyment of the activity, not the specific achievement. John Moschner is director of operations for Senior Management Advisors, www.seniormanagementadvisors.com, an operator of full-service independent living, assisted living, and Alzheimer's care residential communities. 8