Treasuring the Past

INVOKING THE PAST TO INSTILL JOY IN THE PRESENT

When people suffer from dementia, their short-term memory suffers the most. They can easily recount incidents from 30 years ago, yet they will not remember what was said a few seconds ago. This causes great distress for family members trying to engage with them.

You don’t need to let the disease steal your mutual happiness. New research reveals that communication channels can be successfully opened when a person’s ability to remember past events is used to facilitate the process.

Most people delight in reminiscing about their past experiences, relationships and adventures. Jogging the memory of a dementia sufferer by asking them about their favourite memories from days gone by may bring up a torrent of words from someone who usually says very little. By relating past events to present life, a discussion of current events may be possible. For example, “My goodness, I remember your cousin Tom was a handsome devil! Did he get married? And what is he doing these days?” PHOTOGRAPHS ARE EXCELLENT CONVERSATION STARTERS

A photo of the senior from their childhood may evoke a flood of memories. This is an excellent way to engage them because pictures provide a tangible focus and spurs them into talking about the ‘good (or not-so-good) old days.’ To bring them along in time and engage them in a conversation about the present, show them photographs of themselves at various stages of their life, all the way up until the present. CONSIDER CREATING A MEMORY BOX FOR YOUR LOVED ONE

Enjoy this activity together as you create a colourful, decorated box. Fill it with memorabilia from the past: a baby bootie, an old wooden spoon that mother loved, a favourite recipe, a cherished piece of jewelry, a trophy or diploma, dad’s old fishing tackle or his pipe. Going through the box together is a wonderful intimate time as you cherish the past, talk about important times and most importantly, enjoy the present.

Areas of the brain involved in musical memory and creative expression are miraculously spared in Alzheimer’s. Zeroing in on these intact areas of mental ability is an effective way to reach and engage people who seem lost to us. One effective strategy is to invite them to draw or paint about an experience as a way to help them engage in the story of their life.

Play a favourite song from their younger days and open channels of powerful emotion and feelings to transport them back to treasured moments. They may even begin singing. Bringing joy is the best way to also bring them back into the here and now, with you, sharing some precious moments together. homeinstead.ca