Imaging technologies like the fMRI, the EEG, SPECT scan, and the CT PET scan allow us to watch electrical activity and blood flow in the brain as it responds to different stimuli and situations. One thing we are learning is there is a special connection between music and the brain.
Soothing sensory stimulation is known to help people who have dementia. Benefits include increased socialization and communication as well as a reduction in depression and anxiety and many other behavioral and psychological symptoms.
Have you ever thought I know music works well for people with dementia but I am not musical??
I HAVE THE ANSWER FOR YOU!
The words we use do, to a great extent, influence the way we think, and the way we think, in turn, affects our actions.
Communicating with Alzheimer’s is difficult, but don’t stop trying. Even more frustrating for the person with Alzheimer’s than the difficulty he is experiencing making his thoughts known to you is the thought that you have given up trying, or don’t want to communicate with him.
A couple of us from Best Alzheimer’s Products attended the The 2013 National Adult Day Services Conference in Louisville, KY. I attended Person-Centered Approaches to Challenging Behaviors, given by Beth Meyer-Arnold and Lyn Geboy. Person centered care is something we have always advocated, but I was still able to learn a lot about creating an environment that is truly person centered.
When someone has Alzheimer’s, they lose their newest memories first. Questions like “What did you do this morning?” or “How was lunch?” may be confusing or frustrating questions for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. But reminiscing about your loved one’s past can be a nice place to start a conversation.
Detailed direction for creating a Memory Book. This is an easy and interactive way to preserve a person’s history while creating a treasured heirloom for family and friends. By Connie Lucas of the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Iowa Chapter.
Recreational activities play an important role when it comes to defining our own Quality of Life. Each of us chooses activities based on our interests and abilities. People who have dementia need access to recreational activities, too; this is as much a moral imperative as it is an issue of care and disease management.
Purple Angel Ambassador
Dementia Friendly America
