by Cynthia Wall

Created on: August 26, 2010   Last Updated: August 28, 2010

Dementia is a thief that often takes away the past and prevents enjoyment of the future. But, like a tornado that whips through a town leaving some buildings intact and leveling others, dementia may rob a person of just parts of his/her memory.  Dementia is a general term which is often, although not always, caused by Alzheimer’s disease which is a progressive illness characterized by specific brain abnormalities. Only a physician can distinguish between the two. There are many helpful and joyful activities for patients with dementia which not only make life more pleasurable but which may slow the advance of symptoms.   

1. Enjoy the past. A person with dementia may remember events and people from the past but be unable to find the words to name them or to express their memories. You can help by creating photo albums or montages.  If a person is in a care home, it’s very helpful to post photos of family and friends on the wall with their names underneath. The patient may be able to point to the person who visited them that day, thus initiating a conversation.  “Oh, Susie? Did you know she’s expecting a baby in April?”  “Charles?” Remember the time we all went fishing on the lake?” Dementia often takes away short term memories first so while a patient may not be able to tell you what was served for breakfast, his college days are still intact.  Focus on what’s still there and enjoy reminiscing. 

2. Learn new skills. A person with dementia is not mentally handicapped and is not deaf! You don’t need to speak loudly (unless of course the person is hearing impaired) and you don’t need to use terms for a three year old.  What the dementia patient may lack is the ability to initiate new activity. Give them the materials for a new handicraft activity and easy step by step instructions. The person who has never knitted or played a game of cards may be off and running. Do projects together like planting a container garden or planning a simple dinner. 

3. Stimulate the senses.  Music, especially the songs of our youth, stay with us forever. For those who danced the night away to the Big Band era, bring in their favorites. If the person is a lover of church hymns, take him or her to church or gospel music performances. Often, in care homes, there is daily music therapy that encourages patients to sing along or play simple instruments. If your family

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