This is the 19th installment in the Critical Dementia Skills (CDS) series. For more information on the series, start HERE. You can also click on the CDS tags in the blog for more.
On this journey with dementia, creativity and fun is something that you may not think of, yet it is a key to filling this journey with life.
Geriatrician William Thomas wrote about the “plagues of institutionalism: helplessness, boredom, and loneliness” in his book “A Life Worth Living: How Someone You Love Can Still Enjoy Life in a Nursing Home-The Eden Alternative in Action.” According to Dr. Thomas, these are the things that really harm our loved ones in care facilities and even in isolated homes.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to feel helpless, bored, or lonely. In fact, I’m feeling crummy about this describing me now or anytime in the future. (To my family, you have been notified!)
In order to lower the risk of harm from these three plagues, one of the solutions is engagement in meaningful activities. Meaningful consists of something personalized from their history that they want to do. While not impossible, this is challenging to do with groups since we have unique interests. In playing bingo bad? Many people enjoy bingo, but don’t let it be one of a handful of activities.
Think of all the interests that you have in your life from childhood to today. There is a good chance that you will enjoy them today or at least appreciate thinking about them. Use these interests to creatively offer activities and pleasant moments for your loved one AND yourself. One tool to get you started is the Farrington Leisure Interest Inventory.
Future articles will explore meaningful activities further.
Questions for you to think, write down, and share in the comments section (any or all):
- What activities did you enjoy growing up?
- What activities did your loved one enjoy?
- How can you adapt these interests to be experienced today? For example, if you and your loved one cannot bowl, what can you do – visit a bowling alley for the sights, smells, and more?
Thank you for reading this far and for commenting. Let’s tell hundreds more care partners about this concept by sharing the article. God bless you.
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