Dementia has dramatic impact on thought, behavior, feelings
Dementia, which can be a hard thing to talk about, is a decline in mental ability that has resulted in interference with a person’s daily life. One example is memory loss, with Alzheimer’s being the most common type of dementia.
To be considered dementia, significant impairment must be found in at least two of the core mental functions, which include:
• Memory,
• Communication and language,
• Ability to focus and pay attention,
• Reasoning and
• Judgment.
Dementia arises from damaged nerve cells in the brain, which can’t communicate with each other. This can affect thinking, behavior, and feelings.
“There are many activities for people with dementia, and most activities can be tailored to the individual depending on the progression and severity of the disease,” said Olivia Johnson, memory care activity director at Parkway Place. “For residents with early-onset dementia, the activities stay the same. They enjoy playing cards, listening to music, dancing, reading, reminiscing and more.
“For residents that have progressed further with the disease, we find easier activities to play because we don’t want them to get agitated. We offer bingo, balloon toss, singalongs, simple trivia and other engaging programs. Lastly, for residents with advanced dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, we play music just for listening, we read to the residents, put a TV show on to help with eye coordination and find ways to stimulate their senses. We have an array of amenities for residents living in our memory care neighborhood. We want them to still live a fulfilled life, but let their family members know someone is there 24/7 to help them.”
Johnson said caregivers learn more about dementia when they are around people with dementia, such as how each individual’s needs are different and the way to approach each resident is different.
“I encourage caregivers to share their own talents with residents,” said Johnson. “If they know how to play the piano, craft jewelry, paint or quilt, it may help a resident recall a memory from his or her past, and that is something we love to see.”
“One of the key programs that Treemont offers is Music & Memory, which uses beloved music favorites that will tap into an Alzheimer’s or dementia individual’s deep memories, helping renew their past life connections, thereby improving their quality of life. The program can reach residents with communication challenges, make them happier, more social and more receptive to daily care and family visits,” said Jeanette Mitchell, Treemont Health Care Center activity director. “One of the key motivations is that personalized music can help reduce the usage of antipsychotic medications and can affect behaviors in a positive way.”
Mitchell said that each resident receives an iPod and a playlist of songs specifically created for them. A resident with dementia may remember the song that was playing when he first laid eyes on his future wife even though he may no longer recognize his children. In the short few months of implementation at this senior community in Houston, there are numerous stories of families being surprised by their loved one’s experience with music and memory.
A new activity being promoted at Treemont’s Assisted Living program in their Health Care Center is called the mystery box, which was designed to reach Alzheimer’s and dementia residents.
“Residents sit behind a wooden box and reach into it, without being able to see what’s in it. Then they have to think, touch, and sometimes smell, to guess what it is,” said Mitchell. “They love it, so we do it at least once a week.”
Mitchell says that this activity stimulates brain activity, motor skills, communication, and engagement.
There is no one single test to determine if someone has dementia.
A diagnosis comes about after doctors take a medical history, physical exam, lab tests, and note the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type of dementia.
There is no cure or treatment for the most progressive dementias, including Alzheimer’s disease.
There are medications that may be able to temporarily improve the symptoms, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Note: Treemont is sponsoring The Road Map to Senior Care presentations with two topics on dementia this fall. They are: Reduce the Risk of Developing
Dementia on Nov. 21, and Helpful Hints: Interacting with Those with Dementia on
Dec. 5.