5 creative ways to help a loved one with dementia

Caring for a person with dementia can be extremely challenging as it is a very unpredictable and complex condition. They can have problems with orientation and can get lost very easily in their own home as well as having sensory difficulties. They also will have memory loss and may be confused. Due to this it is vital you focus on what people with dementia can do, rather than what they can't.

 Keeping people with dementia occupied and doing interesting activities will keep their brain active and reduce their anxiety. People with dementia live very much in the moment so it is important to make that moment as fun and enjoyable as it can possibly be. Even if they can't remember afterwards why they felt happy, they will still feel the emotion of happiness after the event.

Here are five things you can do to make the life of a person with dementia more fulfilling...

1. Music

There is a growing body of research showing the huge impact music and singing can have on people with dementia. Music can be extremely stimulating, making people more alert and expressive. It also gives people an opportunity to reminisce.

Professor Paul Robertson, a concert violinist and academic who has made a study of music in dementia care, has found people "remain contactable as musical beings on some level right up to the very end of life."

The auditory system of the brain is the first to fully function at 16 weeks, which means that people are musically receptive long before anything else. "So it's a case of first in, last out when it comes to a dementia-type breakdown of memory," he says.

Alzheimer's Society runs Singing for the Brain sessions in various locations around the country. However the great thing about singing is that it can be done anywhere such as in the car as shown by Teddy 'Mac' McDermott who recently shot to fame online as 'The Songaminute Man' when his son Simon posted videos of his father singing during their very own Carpool Karaoke on YouTube, which went viral and became a worldwide hit.

2. Art

Observing and creating art can improve the lives of people with dementia. Creating art be it through painting, drawing, collage, pottery or sculpture enables people to express themselves and gives them an outlet for their emotions.

Studies have shown people with dementia who have art therapy sessions become mentally sharper, calmer and more sociable.

Arts 4 Dementia has a whole range of workshops and sessions on its website. The organisation Create also runs art programmes stimulating and engaging older people particularly those with dementia.
 

3. Dance

Dancing can play a key role in calming people with dementia when they are agitated. It also has the added benefit of keeping people fit. Don't be put off if the person you care for has limited mobility as they can still dance seated. Even those who are very frail will become energised when they dance and will enjoy connecting with others

Dementia researcher, Dr Azucena Guzmán García, has carried out research showing dancing improves mood, is good for physical wellbeing and also helps to strengthen the bond of trust between the care worker or carer and the person with dementia.

In addition, dancing improves muscle tone, strength, endurance, fitness and helps to prevent falls. Dance can also boost brain function and enable people to express themselves without getting frustrated about using language.

Best of all dancing is fun and hopefully you will see the person you care for smiling and happy. Dancing can be done at home or you can find out if any daycare centres run organised sessions.

4. Exercise

Physical exercise can be enormously beneficial for people with dementia and can be tailored to the individual, ranging from a walk in the fresh air to swimming and playing table tennis.

Improving physical fitness will keep people with dementia independent for longer, reduce risk of falls and improve sleep patterns. Even those with limited mobility can do some form of exercise.

5. Gardening

Gardening is another very fulfilling activity that can be done with people living with dementia. It enables people to use their gross motor skills which help with strength and balance and again reduces the risk of falls. Going out in the fresh air is vital for stimulating their senses. If people have limited mobility they may be unable to do the more physical gardening but they can still help plant seeds and flowers into pots, and in doing so feel the earth on their skin and smell the herbs and flowers.

Feeling the sunshine on their skin will increase their sense of wellbeing and the natural daylight will help regulate their body clock and make them sleep better at night.

It doesn't have to be complicated. Simple gardening such as planting pots of herb or creating a window box with bulbs will bring pleasure and a real sense of achievement.

SOURCE: netdoctor, Davina Ludlow

Top tips for carers

When your loved one is being cared for in hospital

There are many things you can do to check your loved one is receiving good care in hospital. Working with the care home is the best place to start.

We have put together our ten top tips for carers whose loved one are now being cared for in a care home/hospital:

Let staff know that the person you care for has dementia.

Ask for the name of the main nurse who will be in charge of the person's care.

Ask that you be included in all decisions.

Give staff information about a person's individual preferences, likes and dislikes. Ask for these to be recorded. We have produced a leaflet 'This is me' to give to staff when a person with dementia goes into hospital.

If the hospital has a dementia specialist nurse, ask them to work with staff directly caring for the person with dementia about good care.

If the person has trouble eating and drinking ask that they have someone to help them at mealtime or ask if you can help out (if you are able to)If appropriate, tell the staff what the person says or the signs they make when they want to go to the toilet, and ask that they be taken straightaway.

If a person is prone to becoming restless or wandering let staff know and work together to identify ways of helping the person in their best interests.

Ask staff to discuss with you what will happen when it is time for the person with dementia to leave hospital so that you are prepared and know what support is available.

Consult Alzheimer's Society's factsheet on hospital care for more information.

SOURCE: Alzheimers Society
The Alzheimers Society should always be your first port of call for quality information and up to date strategies for caring for loved ones with Alzheimers.

50% of people said they didn't feel confident having a conversation with someone if they were concerned about their memory. What should people do if they're worried?

One of the most common calls to our National Dementia Helpline is from people who are unsure of how to start a conversation telling a loved one they're concerned about their memory. It can be a difficult conversation to have, but is worth it. We've put together some top tips to help people approach the subject in a sensitive way.

Take steps to get help when you're worried about someone's memory:

Step 1: Plan a conversation in a familiar, non-threatening environment

Step 2: Explain why talking is important - you're worried because you care
Step 3: Use examples to make things clearer - It's important to be careful not to create a sense of 'blame'. For example, instead of telling someone they couldn't make a cup of tea you could suggest they seemed to find it difficult to make the tea
Step 4: Have an open conversation - be honest and direct. Ask how they're feeling about their memory?
Step 5: Make a positive plan of action together.

Top Tips

• Be positive - a diagnosis can give people access to the help and support they need, or the GP can help you rule out dementia and treat other symptoms. Raising concerns with your doctor can be a really positive step forward.
• Make notes of situations that have got you worried. Giving examples will help you to express yourself in a clear and real way.
• Don't be upset if the person refuses to accept what you're saying - put yourself in their shoes, they may be frightened or confused.
• Due to the stigma surrounding dementia it is important to use non-judgemental language and make them feel at ease. Reassure them it's not their fault.
• Make sure it's an open conversation and be a good listener. Allow the person to discuss their feelings and thoughts  
• Be ready to take action together. Once you've broached the subject, don't hesitate, book a doctor's appointment so you're working towards getting help
• Never make promises about what can be done or what the future looks like - you can only offer support

Here are some leading questions that you can ask to start the conversation and explore how a person if feeling about their memory:

• You seem worried, I'd like to talk about it with you? 
• You don't seem yourself, how do you feel?
• I'd like to help you, what are you finding difficult at the moment?
• If you would like to talk I am here for you. I would really like to hear how you're feeling?
• Can we talk about how things are for you at the moment?
• Are you ok? You seem to be concerned about something?

Some carers of people with dementia have shared some of the reactions they got when broaching the subject with a loved one. Here are some of their experiences:

• Some people were in denial and refused to discuss the subject - they were overwhelmed by the use of the word Alzheimer's disease or dementia
• Many were pleased that someone else had noticed they were having problems with their memory and that they wanted to help
• Some were pleased that a family member/friend had talked to them about their worries, involving them in what plan to make rather than talking about the fact they're worried about their memory behind their back.

SOURCE: The Alzheimers Society