Strategies for people living with dementia

There are about 17,000 Nova Scotians living with the dementia, with age being the biggest risk factor for getting the disease.

About 15 per cent of the population with dementia have a younger onset, but the majority are aged 65 years and older.

“In the early stages, people can live well independently,” said Linda Bird, the director of programs and services for the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia.

Bird said there are many tools and strategies that people with dementia, or those caring for them, can use in the run of the day.

Aside from fidget quilts, Bird said there are several strategies that can be implemented to help people with varying stages of dementia.

“I think the big thing that we need to understand is that as someone progresses through the disease, their symptoms affect the way they’re able to respond to their environment, to their emotions. As family members and staff, we need to be really attuned to the person,” she said.

Bird said taking someone with dementia out for a drive or a walk, or bringing in old photographs and reminiscing, can be beneficial to their overall wellbeing.

But, Bird said, people need to remember that the ability to communicate also changes as the disease develops. “The key is to think about what kinds of activities did the person like in the past, what were those interests and hobbies, and how those activities can be modified now to fit with their current abilities,” said Bird.

“For instance, somebody might have been a great baker and they can no longer follow a recipe, but, they might be able to help you with the baking. As a pair, you could bake something together. Or, they might enjoy going through picture cookbooks with recipes in them.”

Bird said people with dementia often can’t initiate ideas or activities but are more than happy to participate.

“We know we all deserve and want to have meaningful activities in our day,” said Bird

“If people can’t initiate that on their own, as they progress with the disease from middle to late stage, we have to help initiate them. Quite often, people are happy to participate but they would not have been able to start something,” she continued.

“Anything to keep people socially engaged, physically active, mentally stimulated and a combination of all of those things are the best.”

To learn more about dementia, Bird suggests watching the ‘10 Symptoms and Strategies’ videos on the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia’s website at http://alzheimer.ca/en/ ns/About-dementia/Alzheimer-sdisease/10-Warning-Signs/10-Symptoms-and-strategies-videos.

For more information about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, call the InfoLine at 1-800-611-6345.