If a person with dementia is likely to forget what they've done, what's the point in organising activities for them?
The key lies in understanding the way dementia affects the brain. Dementia impacts the hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for memory.
However, there is another part of the brain, the amygdala, which controls emotions and feelings.
Unlike memory, which can fade over time, emotional responses tend to be more resilient and long-lasting.
This is why, even if a person with dementia cannot recall the details of an activity, the emotional impact can remain.
For instance, imagine taking a resident into the garden or set up a container garden (indoors or outdoors). Together, you can plant some flowers or herbs. As you work, engage the resident in conversation about gardens they might have tended in the past, their favourite flowers, or memories of spending time outdoors.
To finish, enjoy a cup of tea or a light snack while admiring your work and reflecting on how the garden will grow over time.
They may not remember the exact details of the activity, the positive emotions they experience - happiness, contentment, and connection, are likely to stay with them.
These emotional memories, even if not consciously recalled, continue to play an important role in their overall wellbeing.
Conversely, if a negative interaction occurs, such as a disagreement, the person might forget the reason for the upset, but the lingering emotions of frustration or distress can still affect their mood and wellbeing.
For activity coordinators in care homes, it’s essential to recognise the significant role that engaging, positive, and stimulating activities play in the lives of people with dementia. While these activities may not always be remembered in the traditional sense, the feelings of joy, connection, and self-worth they provide are just as important.
Even if a person with dementia forgets a specific event or activity, the emotional bonds formed through those experiences remain. The feelings of being valued, cared for, and included are powerful and lasting, even if the details fade.
In summary, as activity coordinators, the activities you plan and facilitate are not just about passing time. They are an essential part of supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of residents.
By providing opportunities for joyful, fulfilling experiences, you are helping to create positive emotional memories that continue to benefit people with dementia, even if they may not always be able to recall them.
January is Hot Tea Month:
You might like my guide to practice change with the idea of Afternoon Tea as the central theme.
This simple guide will help Activity Coordinators to lead changes in your care setting.
£9.00
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