Vitalia Stow Memory Care Discusses Creating Engagement with Someone Living with Dementia

In a world that thrives on communication, connection, and shared experiences, dementia poses unique challenges. It affects not only an individual’s memory, but also their very essence. As the number of individuals living with dementia continues to rise, it becomes increasingly important to explore ways to foster meaningful engagement.

Dementia can be an isolating and disorienting condition, creating a feeling of disconnect from the world they once knew and loved. However, beneath the surface of cognitive decline lies the enduring essence of the individual waiting to be nurtured and cherished. By embracing empathy, patience, and creativity we can create experiences that transcend memory loss and provide a lifeline to the person within.

Join us at Vitalia Stow on a journey to unlock the potential for engagement and connection with your loved one living with dementia. Together, we will discover the power of human connection that transcends the boundaries of memory, and in doing so, enrich the lives of those touched by this challenging condition.

Past hobbies and interests are important to know about someone. A person living with dementia will still love doing all the things they once found enjoyable. The diagnosis of dementia doesn’t change that. They may still remember doing these pursuits when they were younger and whatever they liked about it is something they still find pleasurable. Getting to know the residents past interests helps staff get them excited about events and encourages them to take part. 

Interests and hobbies can be modified to reflect their current abilities. Getting to know someone’s past interests and adding those events to the calendar is only the first step. We also need to learn each person’s abilities and then start getting creative. Every interest can be adapted to suit each person’s abilities. Maybe they loved playing cards but can no longer follow the game. They may still be able to sort the cards into suit or color or count them. Maybe they just want to hold on the cards and reminisce about past games with friends.

When our residents living with dementia engage in tasks that have been personally tailored to their likes and abilities, they feel a sense of accomplishment. They were able to take part in something enjoyable, and they did it well. They feel successful and independent. Depending on the undertaking, engagement also facilitates socialization, improves cognition, and can be physically beneficial to the person.

When it comes to engaging someone living with dementia, patience, empathy, and creativity are the keys to fostering meaningful connections. By embracing a person-centered approach, we can unlock a world of possibilities, enabling individuals with dementia to continue experiencing joy, connection, and a sense of purpose. Remember, it’s not about fixing what’s broken, but rather cherishing the unique qualities that make each person special. Together we can create moments of engagement where those living with dementia are valued and cherished for who they are, not just who they were.