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How to Make Holidays Special for Someone with Dementia
Caregiving

How to Make Holidays Special for Someone with Dementia

by Silverado
written by Silverado

At Silverado, we have nearly 20 years of dedicated experience in caring for individuals with memory impairments, and in that time we’ve developed numerous best practices that have been adopted industry-wide. How to Make Holidays Special for Someone with Dementia

This time of year, we like to share tips for making the holidays enjoyable for a loved with dementia. This advice centers on keeping things simple and enjoying individual moments: How to Make Holidays Special for Someone with Dementia

  1. Avoid chaos. Rather than walking someone who has dementia into a room with 10 relatives, encourage relatives to engage in one-on-one conversation, or to visit a loved one in smaller groups.
  2. Embrace normalization. The Silverado clinical team has observed time-and-time again the benefits of treating a memory-impaired person as any adult would expect. For example, many of our residents enjoyed cooking throughout their lives, so we get them involved in the kitchen. This is something you can encourage at home too.
  3. Avoid correcting a person with dementia.If a loved one with dementia addresses a family member using a different name — say, the name of a spouse or parent — take it as a compliment, recognizing that you are important to them.
  4. Have conversations based on long-term memory. People with dementia are more likely to retain long-term memories. Talk about the past or share older photos. We do this every day in our memory care communities as each resident has a memory box filled with nostalgic mementos.
  5. Keep plates of food simple. We found at Silverado many years ago that people with dementia had a better dining experience when a plate was simplified.
  6. If traveling, maintain routines. Depending on one’s degree of memory loss, you can travel but try to stay in familiar environments, keep existing sleep routines, and avoid too much anticipatory planning to prevent added confusion.
  8. 6 Tips to Make Holidays Special for Someone with Dementia
    Why do People with Alzheimer’s Remember Old Memories
    How can I prevent agitation in my loved one with dementia?

How to Make Holidays Special for Someone with Dementia

How to Make Holidays Special for Someone with Dementia How to Make Holidays Special for Someone with Dementia How to Make Holidays Special for Someone with Dementia How to Make Holidays Special for Someone with Dementia How to Make Holidays Special for Someone with Dementia

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Caregiving

10 Dementia Warning Signs to Look for During Holidays

by Silverado
written by Silverado

Spending time with loved ones during the holidays means it’s easier to spot all of the small changes in behavior that could mean the early stages of memory impairment. While this can cause initial feelings of worry and panic, taking the time to understand the situation is the first step in providing your mother, father, grandparent, sibling or other family member the best care possible.

These are the most common signs that dementia-related changes may be taking place in the brain:

  1. Memory lapses that disrupt daily life. Forgetting newly-learned information and important dates or events.
  2. Problem-solving and planning difficulties. Difficulty concentrating and following familiar multi-step processes like recipes or paying bills.
  3. Difficulty carrying out familiar tasks. Getting lost or needing directions driving to a familiar destination. Confusion using appliances (e.g., microwave or TV remote).
  4. Locational/temporal confusion. Frequently losing track of dates and passage of time. Trouble understanding things planned for later. Forgetting where they are or how they got there.
  5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. Vision deteriorating or misidentifying common objects. Difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color/contrast.
  6. New problems with words in speaking or writing. Difficulties during conversations, like losing track and not knowing how to continue. Repeating themselves. Problems finding the right word or referring to things by the wrong name.
  7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. Placing things in unusual locations. Inability to retrace steps to find lost items. Accusing those around them of stealing.
  8. Decreased or poor judgment. Poor judgment when dealing with money (e.g., giving large amounts to telemarketers). Lapses in grooming and personal cleanliness.
  9. Withdrawal from work or social activities. Pulling away from social activities, interests, large groups, sports and hobbies. Trouble remembering how to participate in favorite pastimes. Seems introverted.
  10. Changes in mood and personality. Becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. Upsets easily in places where they are out of their comfort zone
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7 Essential Resume Writing Tips for Caregivers
Caregiving

7 Essential Resume Writing Tips for Caregivers

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

Writing about yourself in the form of a resume is never an easy task. However, it’s an essential part of the job-seeking process and always the first impression you’ll have with a future employer, so you’ll want to make sure that it’s perfect. 7 Essential Resume Writing Tips for Caregivers
The caregiver industry is one of the most rapidly growing industries in the world so if you’re looking for your next job; there’s never been a better time to do so. So you don’t miss out on your next opportunity, here are seven tips you need to know about writing the best resume possible.

Start with Formatting

As with all resumes, the way you format your document is one of the most important aspects to consider, even more so when it comes to caregivers. In this profession, having an eye for detail is a key element that you’ll need to show you have, and what better way to show it than in your resume?
“Before you start writing, start by laying out your resume on your page, adding in the title, your contact details and subheadings for the sections that you’re going to be talking about,” shares Alan Thompson, a resume writer from Academized.

Always Be Honest

When writing your resume, it’s essential that you’re honest in everything you say. It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to stretch the truth, so an employer is more likely to hire you, but this is only ever going to backfire in the long-term. As a caregiver, honesty is one of the most important traits you can possess.

Customise Your Resume for Each Job

There’s a standard rule in the world of resume writing that you have to write a new resume, or at least edit your resume, for every single job you apply for, and the same is true for a caregiver’s resume.
When you’re applying for a job, read through the job description and make sure you edit your resume, so the skills you’ve listed first are the closest match to the skills that the company is looking for to maximise your chances of securing an interview.

Include as Much Detail as Possible

As we mentioned above, your resume is likely to be the first impression a company will ever have of you, so you’ll want to make sure that it counts. With this in mind, you need to make sure that you include as much detail as possible in all your sections.
This includes the experience and education sections, so you really highlight what makes you special and suitable for the job role that you’re applying for.

Writing the Perfect Resume

Not everybody is born to be a professional writer and, as a caregiver, the chances are that you probably don’t have time to learn. However, thanks to modern-day technology, there is a wealth of tools out there that can help. Here are a few to get you started;

  • Then VS Than & Grammarix: These are two online blogs you can use to improve your grammar skills for writing your resume.
  • Resume Writing Service: This is a resume-building service where you can use and download templates to follow while writing.
  • Boom Essays: This is an online writing agency with professional writers who can guide you through the resume writing process, as recommended by the HuffingtonPost in Write Me an Essay.
  • State of Writing & My Writing Way: These are online writing websites full of writing guides you can follow when writing your resume.
  • UKWritings: This is an online service you can use to help you improve your interview skills, as suggested by Best Essay Writing Services.
  • Cite It In: A free online tool you can use to add professionally formatted references and quotes to your resume.
  • Essayroo & Assignment Help: These are two custom writing services that can write your resume for you on your behalf.
  • Easy Word Count: A free online tool you can use to track and monitor the word count of your resume.

Include References

Since you’re working with other people and providing them with care, an employer will want to make sure they are getting the perfect person for the job. There’s no better way to prove that you’re capable than getting a reference from a previous employer.
This proves that you have the experience that you say you have and uses the credibility of the last company that you worked for to boost your chances of securing an interview.

Don’t Forget the Basics

There are a few basics you’ll want to remember when it comes to resume writing and it’s vital that you don’t forget them while trying to remember everything else. Firstly, check your contact details to make sure they’re right. You don’t want to have been selected for an interview, only for the employer to find it impossible to get in contact with you.
Secondly, try to keep your resume to a single page, so it’s not overwhelming to the recruiter. Finally, don’t forget to proofread your resume, so it’s free from spelling mistakes and typos.
Mary Walton is an editor at Australian Assignment Writing Service and BigAssignments, tutoring websites that help Aussie students. She blogs on Simple Grad, read her Best Essay Writing Services article there.

7 Essential Resume Writing Tips for Caregivers

7 Essential Resume Writing Tips for Caregivers 7 Essential Resume Writing Tips for Caregivers 7 Essential Resume Writing Tips for Caregivers 7 Essential Resume Writing Tips for Caregivers 7 Essential Resume Writing Tips for Caregivers 7 Essential Resume Writing Tips for Caregivers 7 Essential Resume Writing Tips for Caregivers 7 Essential Resume Writing Tips for Caregivers

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Senior man in hospice
Caregiving

If It’s Time for Hospice – Here’s some Help

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

When someone tells you it’s time to call hospice for someone you love, it’s one of the toughest bits of news you’ll ever hear. However, when you do get that news, you’ll still need good information. Here are a few tips.

Find the Right Fit

First of all, you have a choice about which hospice agency or provider will give care to your loved one. You will often be given the names of one, sometimes up to three, agencies that provide hospice care. A doctor, a hospital social worker, your elder’s nurse practitioner or someone at your elder’s care facility usually gives hospice agency referrals.

You can call one of these agencies and/or you can do your own research on which agencies have the best reputation in your elder’s community. You have a choice. You don’t have to use one of the agencies that was referred to you. Remember this.

Sometimes it is very convenient to use a referral. Often, the person or organization referring the hospice agency to you has experience with that agency. They refer agencies that work well with the system that shares their name. That’s good in many ways.

How to identify the right fit –

  • The right hospice provider will understand your elder’s wishes, will work with the family as partners in care, will be very effective communicators and will be responsive to any changes needed or requested.
  • Interview each of the hospice agencies before you select one.
  • Ask neighbors, friends, coworkers (and even on social media) if they have had any experiences good or bad with hospice agencies. Who would they recommend?
  • Read this helpful list from the American Hospice Foundation. americanhospice.org/learning-about-hospice/choosing-a-hospice-16-questions-to-ask/
  • Check with your state hospice accreditation agency (search Internet for this in your state) on the reputation of each hospice group you’ve identified. Each state does this differently. You can find out if an agency has any complaints filed against them or if they are currently accredited.
  • A list of hospice associations by state can be found at https://hospicefoundation.org/Hospice-Directory
  • Remember you can change hospice agencies if you are not satisfied. Specifics at Medicare.gov – see next point.

Learn What Medicare Covers in Hospice Care

  • Visit Medicare.gov and use the Search box to find information on Hospice.
  • Download Medicare’s publication on Hospice Care. medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/02154-Medicare-Hospice-Benefits
  • It is important to know what Medicare does and doesn’t cover in the hospice program. Don’t just rely on the hospice agency personnel to tell you. Verify any information you receive.

Read some Good Information

  • The best book that I’ve found on situations you’ll encounter in end-of-life care is Final Gifts by Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley. It is a must-read for families experiencing hospice for the first time. Take the time to read it.Please.
  • Visit hospicefoundation.org – the website of the Hospice Foundation of America. Good info available here on all sorts of topics.
  • National Association of Home Care and Hospice at nahc.org. They have a hospice patient’s bill of rights.

Have the Paperwork in order

  • Make sure your elder has an updated Advance Directive – delineating their wishes for end-of-life care (and that you and their providers have a copy of it)
  • Verify that their will is up-to-date and accessible to their attorneys and/or family members designated to be personal representatives.
  • Review Power of Attorney (POA) documents to make sure they match your elder’s wishes. Provide copies to care providers and anyone designated as POA.

Be a Good Advocate

  • Now is the time to speak out or speak for your elder. Their own voice may grow weaker but your advocacy should grow stronger. Find your most diplomatic voice and use it to make sure your elder’s wishes and your family’s wishes are respected and carried out.

You will make it through. You will. It’s hard, it may be long, but it may also bring some of the best, most touching moments you’ve spent with your elder.

By Suzanne Blankenship

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Caregiving

10 Signs of Caregiver Stress

by Kathy Macaraeg
written by Kathy Macaraeg

When you’re caring for someone else, and running your own household, your needs tend to fall to the bottom of the list. While this is a perfectly normal response, it isn’t the healthiest response. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so taking care of your needs is not selfish, it is critical. 10 Signs of Caregiver Stress

Easier said than done, I know. I am the worst at following this advice. I have been known to push myself to the point of illness to take care of everyone else’s needs. In fact, I was reviewing resumes for drivers while in the hospital after giving birth so that my clients would still have transportation after an employee quit. This isn’t me bragging about my superwoman abilities, this is me pointing out a major flaw. Because I push myself far past the breaking point, I deal with a lot of stress-related health issues. I am really trying to focus 2016 on making sure I care for myself, while caring for others and I encourage you to do the same.

These are the top 10 signs of caregiver stress and ways to relieve it. Join me in taking better care of yourself this year.

  1. Denial about your parent’s condition and the effect on the person who’s been diagnosed. For example, thinking, “I know mom is going to get better,” rather than addressing the condition. Knowledge is power. Research the condition and speak with your parent’s medical provider on what to expect and how you can manage the condition.
  2. Anger at the caree or others, anger that no cure exists and anger that people don’t understand what’s going on. For example, “I don’t have time to shop for my mom, why can’t she just do it herself?” If you are feeling angry or frustrated with your caree, you may need to take a step back. Enlist help from a sibling, neighbor, friend or community program. If your parent has dementia, consider an adult day care program a few days a week to give yourself some downtime. If your parent needs more help around the house than you are able to provide, consider hiring a caregiver or a college student to do some light housekeeping. It is normal to get frustrated with the situation and you deserve a break. Don’t feel like you can’t step away.
  3. Social withdrawal from friends and activities that once brought pleasure. Have you stopped participating in your book club or meeting your friends for brunch? This could be a sign of depression or a sign that you are overwhelmed. Reach out to your loved ones and let them know that you need support. If it is to the point where you just can’t bear to be around people, you may want to consider speaking with a therapist or clergy member.
  4. Anxiety about facing another day and what the future holds. Are you constantly thinking about what will happen when your parent needs more care than you can provide? Rather than thinking about all the what-ifs, make a list of your concerns and ways to overcome the challenges. Having a plan in place will help make the unknown less scary.
  5. Depression that begins to break your spirit and affects your ability to cope. If you feel like you don’t care anymore, you should consider talking to someone. Speak with a counselor, join a support group or schedule time with a friend to get away from the constant stressors.
  6. Exhaustion that makes it nearly impossible to complete necessary daily tasks. If you are feeling like no matter how much you sleep, you don’t have the energy to get through the day, you need to take time for yourself to recover. Take a morning walk or set aside 10 minutes to meditate. Figure out what works for you to re-energize and work it into your daily routine. It doesn’t have to require a large time commitment.
  7. Sleeplessness caused by a never-ending list of concerns. Do you have a constant to-do list running through your head or are you thinking of the what-ifs regarding your parent’s condition? I struggle with insomnia, so I am definitely not an expert on this one, and even when I wear myself out, I still have difficulty sleeping. Some things that have worked for me include making a to do list, reading a magazine before bed (if I try to read a book, I have a hard time putting it down), take a warm bath and stretch before bed.
  8. Irritability that lends to moodiness and triggers negative responses and reactions. Do you just want to be left alone and does everything everyone around you does annoy you? It probably isn’t them, it’s you. If you can, take some time for yourself to do something you love. Get out in nature, go to the library, go somewhere quiet where you won’t be bothered. If you are caring for someone who can’t be left alone, consider bringing in help for an hour every week or every other week so that you can have time to just think about your needs.
  9. Lack of concentration that makes it difficult to perform familiar tasks. Are you forgetting appointments or did you drive home and miss the off ramp? You may have too much on your plate. Take some time to think of how you can take things off your plate. I have some tips for caregivers in the sandwich generation that work for anyone, as well as caregiver shortcuts that could help.
  10. Health problems that begin to take their toll, both mentally and physically. Sadly, I am an expert at this one. Stress can cause major health issues from headaches to diabetes. Finding ways to reduce your stress is critical to living a long, healthy life. Find things that reduce stress for you – exercise, laugh more, knit, color, spend time with your friends. Whatever it is that helps you reduce your stress levels, make sure that you find ways to squeeze it into your day. Your health depends on it. If you are having a tough time coming up with stress relievers, check out my post on finding joy and 8 things happy people do for some ideas.

Caregiving can sometimes be a thankless job that comes with time constraints that make it difficult to practice self-care. Don’t let yourself fall to the bottom of the to do list. How can you incorporate stress relief into your life?

 

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Home Care vs. Nursing Homes: What’s the Difference?
Caregiving

Home Care vs. Nursing Homes: What’s the Difference?

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

When given the option between convalescing at home and in a nursing home, most people prefer to remain at home and age in place. Besides the familiarity, home is the place where people have lived their lives and created memories with friends and family. Even the smallest house is often viewed by the senior as a comfortable setting that is well-suited for their personal belongings, pets and visitors. Many seniors create a support network of friends and family close to home, and aging in place makes it easier for beneficial bonds to remain strong. The positive emotional bond people have often helps speed their recovery, as long as they receive the therapeutic and support services they require. Home Care vs. Nursing Homes: What’s the Difference?
Both nursing homes and home care agencies provide the resources and services to increase comfort and assist recovery. They both have the common goal of helping your loved one with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and promoting healthy longevity.

Nursing Home Care

Nursing homes provide around-the-clock medical and non-medical care to a population that is primarily elderly or disabled. Facilities are staffed with aides, nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered nurses (RNs), along with others who provide emotional support, enrichment activities, physical and occupational therapy and pharmacy services. All nursing homes have immediate access to physicians though few have a physician in-house, around the clock. They have full-time kitchens and housekeeping staff, and some provide transportation with vans or buses. Institutional nursing homes normally have all their services under one roof or a short distance away. In-house social activities are planned for residents in all licensed nursing facilities. Many also have libraries, recreation areas and entertainment scheduled for holidays or special occasions.

Home Care

Licensed skilled nursing agencies care for home-bound individuals. They provide services ranging from companionship and cleaning to skilled nursing care. Visits to the home can be scheduled on an hourly basis, daily or overnight, as the need and budget allow. Most home care agencies also work to maintain consistent care and encourage bonding by scheduling the same nurses or caregivers with the same seniors whenever possible. Some seniors utilize these services immediately after discharge from the hospital, and many continue to access services on a longer-term basis once rehabilitation is complete. Families also benefit from homecare as it provides them with professional assistance called respite care so they can spend time away from their loved ones with confidence knowing the senior is in expert hands.

Final Considerations

Choosing between a nursing home and home care services can be a matter of physical needs or personal preference. The goal of each is to better the patient’s comfort level, and when possible, achieve independent living. Which you choose for yourself or a loved one needs to be thought through carefully based on physical and emotional needs as well as both short term and long term goals.

By Christine Day – While Christine’s main passion is nursing, on her off days she enjoys writing for Salus Homecare. Home Care vs. Nursing Homes: What’s the Difference?

Home Care vs. Nursing Homes: What’s the Difference?

Home Care vs. Nursing Homes: What’s the Difference? Home Care vs. Nursing Homes: What’s the Difference? Home Care vs. Nursing Homes: What’s the Difference? Home Care vs. Nursing Homes: What’s the Difference?

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Senior woman with tender caregiver
Caregiving

What Are the Responsibilities of a Caregiver?

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

When people get sick, become aged or disabled, and can’t help themselves, there is a need to provide them with proper medical care. However, the right medication is not enough to care either at home or at the hospital.

Whether it’s respite services or an emotional support companion, caregivers with the best understanding of caregiving practices will use their skills to offer extra support. They work with the agency’s standards to ensure clients get excellent care.

Who is a Caregiver?

A caregiver helps the sick, the elderly, the disabled, or children by giving care. A care provider ensures that clients get help during daily activities.

Responsibilities of a Caregiver

Caregivers have many duties to perform when caring for patients. They ensure a client’s comfort and a great feeling about life.

1. Personal Care

Whether you are elderly, sick, or disabled, a caregiver will offer excellent personal care when changing clothes, brushing teeth, taking baths, writing a memoir, etc. Some patients may find it tiresome to do the activities themselves. A caregiver prepares patients to face their days with confidence and comfort.

2. Food Preparation

Caregivers plan and prepare meals for their patients. In their sick or old days, many patients find difficulty in following their diets. In their positions, they can’t create tasty and nutritious meals.

Caregivers have enough training in meal planning and food preparation depending on every client’s needs. They handle interactions that certain foods may have with the patient’s medication. Also, they observe allergies and plan highly nutritious meals for their patients.

3. Offering Companionship

Caregivers ensure patients stay happy during their sick or old days. Even though patients may get family visits, they may need someone by their sides all the time.

Caregivers are more than helpers. They offer reliable, excellent, and constant companionship to their patients. Also, they provide more fun ideas to refresh patients’ minds by organizing great activities. This way, patients get all the emotional help they need leading to a great life experience.

4. Providing Medication Management

As the elderly continue to age, they need someone to help them with their medications. Because they can easily forget when and how to consume their pills, caregivers come in handy to help.

Care providers assist in monitoring medications. A home caregiver works diligently with medical personnel to ensure that patients take each medication properly. Moreover, caregivers help their clients take their medicines by providing the prescribed pills at the required times.

5. Providing Transportation

A qualified caregiver with a driver’s license takes care of the patient’s transportation needs. Whether the patients are going for hospital appointments or other important outgoing activities, care providers will drive them safely.

Additionally, a caregiver helps patients who use wheelchairs. A care provider has to push the sick and help them get off and on their wheelchair safely.

6. Running Errands

Because the elderly and the sick cannot handle most daily activities, they need help from care providers. Caregivers perform all other operations, such as going shopping, doing house chores, etc.

7. Offering General Health Care

Qualified caregivers perform primary care and health monitoring. They follow a health plan to observe any changes in the patients’ health, document, and report. They consult with the medical team to decide on a course of action.

8. Offering Family Support

During sickness and aging times, family members find difficulty in accepting the situation. Caregivers give support to patients and their families. A care provider offers excellent ideas on how to make family life better.

Conclusion

While caring for patients, a caregiver maintains personal and professional boundaries. It helps in strengthening the relationship with the patient.

 

Author bio:

Hayden Smith is a competent SEO content writer specializing in blog writing, ghostwriting, and copywriting services. He takes pride in providing SEO optimized, engaging, and high-quality digital marketing content for both B2B and B2C clients. His content writing strategy will increase your blog or website’s attention on social media and search engine ranking. He can do it all, from SEO blog writing, writing a memoir, and health/wellness articles.

 

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Caregiving

Does Going on Hospice Mean Giving Up?

by Silverado
written by Silverado

Hospice is a special kind of care focused on providing patients with a terminal illness comfort and dignity as their disease takes its course. Because hospice means that treatment will no longer be focused on curing the disease, many families feel that they are giving up on their loved one. While it may be easy to think that, understanding what hospice provides in the context of the patient, their family, and the overall disease progression can provide a new perspective on choosing hospice.

Things to consider about hospice:

A doctor will only place an order for hospice care when they believe curative programs have done all they can. In some cases providing curative treatments to terminal patients can bring added stress and discomfort while hospice will ensure a more comfortable path to the disease’s eventual conclusion.

In some cases, the reduction of stress and strain can actually give patients more time.*

Hospice provides extra help and resources to the family, allowing them to better use the time they have with their loved one and reduce some financial burdens of care.

Many special hospice programs are focused on dignity in death, meaning that the last memories of a loved one can be much happier.

There are many positive reasons for accepting a suggestion of hospice care. To hear a doctor discuss why choosing hospice does not mean giving up, visit this page.

* A 2007 study that looked at Medicare beneficiaries with some of the most common diagnoses leading to death, found that patients who received hospice services lived on average, 29 days longer than those who did not receive hospice care. This study, published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management (March 2007) looked at 4,493 terminally ill patients with either congestive heart failure or cancer of the breast, colon, lung, pancreas, or prostate.

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3 Art Therapy Activities for Those with Alzheimer’s
Caregiving

3 Art Therapy Activities for Those with Alzheimer’s

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

When you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s, it can be hard to find activities that bring meaning and joy to their life. Speech plays a crucial role in countless activities. As your loved one loses the ability to process language, these activities become harder and harder for them to enjoy. Because of this, the best activities for those living with Alzheimer’s are often activities that engage the non-verbal centers of the brain. 3 Art Therapy Activities for Those with Alzheimer’s
Art therapy has recently emerged as an effective therapeutic tool for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Through art therapy, individuals with Alzheimer’s can engage in an activity that is calming, mentally stimulating, and that provides a sense of achievement.

Perhaps most important of all, individuals with Alzheimer’s who take part in art therapy gain a non-verbal avenue to express themselves. This allows them to engage with their environment and communicate their innermost feelings, even as dementia makes verbal communication increasingly difficult.

Art Therapy for Dementia: Examples & Evidence

Evidence of art therapy’s benefits for those with dementia has grown substantially over the past two decades.
Lester Potts may be the most famous successful case of art therapy for dementia. Potts was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the age of 70. As his condition progressed, his family enrolled him in a care center for those with dementia. At the care center, Potts was encouraged to try watercolor painting by an artist who worked at the center.
Potts would paint his first picture at the age of 72, and it soon became apparent that he has a natural talent for watercolors. Over the next four years, he produced over 100 paintings, many of which are now exhibited in books and online. Painting brought calm, joy, and purpose to the final years of Potts’ life, and led his son to launch one of the most successful art therapy programs in America.

Another famous case is Mary Hecht, a Canadian sculptor. Hecht suffered from severe vascular dementia affecting the language and memory centers in her brain. Despite this, she was able to produce perfect sketches of artworks she’d made earlier in life, scenes from her past, and people she had known. Hecht’s case showed researchers that even in cases of advanced dementia, areas of the brain key to producing and engaging with visual art remain active and healthy.

Many studies have also shown that art therapy has numerous benefits for those with dementia. Researchers have found that various art therapy programs can reduce stress, minimize anxiety, and improve mood. They’ve also found that art therapy can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s and slow its progress. Art therapy even benefits family caregivers, lowering stress and giving them a non-verbal way to connect with their loved ones.

3 Art Therapy Ideas

Unsure which form of art therapy will work best for your loved one? Here are three art therapy activity suggestions from Visiting Angels CEO and President Larry Meigs.

  1. Nature Painting. “Research shows that interacting with nature — or even just seeing a picture of nature — can help lower stress levels,” Larry says. “Art therapy in your backyard garden can be an especially soothing activity. If you would prefer to stay inside, you can paint a still life of indoor plants, or use a photo of a natural scene as inspiration.”
  2. Reminiscence Painting. “Art therapy can be a great way to bring old memories to life. If your loved one is in the early or mid stages of Alzheimer’s, you can encourage them to paint a scene from their past, like their first home.”
  3. Abstract Art. “Individuals with Alzheimer’s often gravitate toward abstract art. It’s the freest form of visual expression, so it’s the perfect way for those with dementia to communicate their feelings non-verbally.”

In addition to the above suggestions, Larry offered tips for family caregivers who would like to try art therapy with their loved ones.

  • Treat the activity seriously. Don’t approach it like children’s arts-and-crafts time.
  • Make sure you purchase non-toxic materials.
  • Be patient. Give your loved one as much time as they wish to spend on the project.
  • At the start, your loved one may need guidance. You may provide this on your own, or you can reach out to local agencies providing Alzheimer’s care services for help with how to get started.

Finally, Larry suggests thinking outside the canvas and explore other art form. Drawing, sculpting, and scrapbooking are just a few of the other artistic activities your loved one might enjoy.

3 Art Therapy Activities for Those with Alzheimer’s

3 Art Therapy Activities for Those with Alzheimer’s 3 Art Therapy Activities for Those with Alzheimer’s 3 Art Therapy Activities for Those with Alzheimer’s 3 Art Therapy Activities for Those with Alzheimer’s 3 Art Therapy Activities for Those with Alzheimer’s 3 Art Therapy Activities for Those with Alzheimer’s 3 Art Therapy Activities for Those with Alzheimer’s 3 Art Therapy Activities for Those with Alzheimer’s

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