Witnessing a loved one deteriorate from the effects of dementia or Alzheimer’s can be devastating and the question that burns in many people’s minds is whether or not they can or will still enjoy quality of life. The answer is yes they can – it is possible that in the right environment, with the right support and specialised care one can enjoy a full life.
Unfortunately, a lot of people still think that dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is a death sentence without any treatment available – however, that is simply not the case. Specialised dementia care and cognitive stimulation can extend their cognitive abilities and enables them to continue to indulge in their favourite pastimes and interact with others, even as the disease causes their condition to worsen.
The idea is to not focus on the negative or tragic side of dementia, such as what they may have lost in memory or function, but rather to focus on creating wonderful moments that bring a smile to a loved one’s face or help to trigger a happy memory. Meaningful activities are of the utmost importance to those living with dementia, as the disease can cause people to withdraw from activities and enjoyable interaction with family and friends. Maintaining those relationships and interests helps them to lead a better and more enjoyable life.
There are a lot of ways to bring about these moments and foster meaningful relationships, and tailoring those activities and environments to that person’s likes and interests is key to its success.
Meaningful activities add value to someone with dementia’s life
Outings
Outings help people with dementia stay socially active for longer, by helping to stimulate the mind, and encourages engagement with other people. This could be a simple drive alongside the beach or walk in their favourite outdoor location.
Hobbies
Hobbies are an effective way to keep someone with dementia engaged, firstly it will most likely be something they are good at (which is a major confidence boost) and it makes it easier to engage with them on a neutral topic, therefore improving their social skills. Studies have also shown that enjoying a hobby reduces the risk of depression, and improves physical health.
Pets
Interacting with, and caring for pets can play a fundamentally therapeutic role for someone with dementia. There are many benefits of incorporating pets in dementia care, which is why specialised dementia care facilities like Livewell are pet friendly and allow residents to keep pets and organising therapeutic programmes involving animals.
Obviously, at different stages of the disease, there are different needs and ranges of ability that require the activities to be adapted so that the person can still participate and that the activity remains safe. This is why specialised dementia care is most suitable for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s as specially trained staff to understand the disease as well as the importance of these activities that contribute greatly to that person’s quality of life.