People with dementia often have trouble in social settings. The noise and activity of others is distracting and can even be scary. Even those with early stage dementia are starting to notice they can't as easily follow conversations when more than one person is involved, It can be confusing or stressful to know your role in a social setting. As a result many people with dementia and their caregivers end up isolating themselves, going to less and less social settings. Isolation can lead to depression and less physical activity.
Social interaction is one way to keep the brain active and may even help prevent the progress of dementia. So how do we find social settings for people with dementia? It's best to look for groups especially designed for people with dementia. For example, Rhodes Respite care in Anderson (http://www.fpcandersonsc.com/serving/rhodes-respite-care-2/) provides socialization especially for those in early or middle stage dementia. Participants enjoy attending the group where they make crafts, enjoy music, and get to know staff and other participants like themselves. The Alzheimer's support group in Seneca offers a socialization group during it's meetings for people with early stage dementia. Participants enjoy music, activities with pleasant aromas, board games such as Qwirkle and Rummykub, and interaction with college students and other participants. The group avoids expectations or competitiveness so that participants feel welcome and comfortable no matter their mood or abilities on a particular day. Trained college students from Clemson University provide one-on-one interaction to make participation active and enjoyable. If you would like to join one of the groups led by Clemson students contact Dr. Cheryl Dye at tcheryl@clemson.edu for a list of current offerings. The next sessions are Feb. 20 and April 17 at 11:30 am at Oconee Memorial Hospital.
Look for social activities where the expectations for your loved one and for you the caregiver are low. But be sure to pick activities that you both would enjoy. Consider a walk in the park where you observe children or families, attending a local church service, visiting a small store with few customers, going to a local walking trail on a sunny day, or playing a board game with one or two non-competitive accepting people. Use your loved one's former interests as a guide. If they always enjoyed playing cards look for simple card games. If they enjoyed working out, find a place where you can use simple exercise equipment. As you are interacting with others provide your companionship and support for your care receiver in case they feel confused or afraid. Be accepting of their moods and interactions and offer praise during and after the outing, even if everything wasn't perfect.
Going to a social activity can take a lot of preparation and energy. So be sure to plan some quite time or a nap afterwards. Remember to praise your loved one for going and for being with you.
Note: See the previous post for another opportunity for socialization.
Showing posts with label Learning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Learning. Show all posts
Monday, February 16, 2015
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Be the Change
Marketers suggest that we can buy a certain item can make us happy. When you go to a doctor you can get a pill to help you solve almost any problem. Insurances promises to make you secure. Advisers promise if you use their services you will become rich, healthy, ... But unfortunately many problems continue even after buying the item, seeing the doctor, or taking the medication. Although it's true insurance, pills, people and things can help us, often it takes an investment of our own time and effort into a problem before it gets better.
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Gandhi said. Instead of hoping for others to solve our problems (or the world's problems) we need to learn to see how we can make a difference for ourselves (and others) now. So next time you have a problem that you thinking shopping, medicine, government, or some expert can fix, consider first what you can do to be the change you want.
Most of us would benefit from getting more exercise. It would help us pay attention, have more energy, be less depressed, decrease the likelihood of getting dementia and heart disease, and if we walked in our own neighborhood we might improve our relationships with neighbors or make new friends. Almost everyone I work with knows that exercise would help them, but few people are willing to make the changes necessary to make exercise a regular part of their lives. Why? The answer is different for everyone but inertia, or the tendency to stay where we are, is often a large part of the reason.
Most of us could eat better. If we ate less that was bad for us (sugar, fatty foods, alcohol, etc.) and more that was good for us (fresh fruits and veggies, homemade items, etc.) our hearts, minds, and bodies would be healthier, have more energy, and if we cooked with friends or family it might even improve our relationships. If we started growing some of our own food, we have the chance to exercise while we're eating better. Again, most people know that they need to improve their diet, but they resist the messages their body is sending regarding foods.
Eating right and exercising take more time than just taking a pill. Many skills or techniques like meditation for example take an investment of time and effort on our part before we can reap the benefits. The benefits often outweigh the effort, but you only notice the benefit after many hours of practice.
“Make the most of yourself....for that is all there is of you.” R. W. Emerson
Quick fixes are attractive because they are so simple. But the key to our health and well being lies in our own hands. We need to decide what is needed to be healthier and happier. So long as we assume someone else (be that a doctor or family member) holds the key to solving a problem we are facing, we can't really make changes. So accept what your are, define what you need to change, and then start the hard working of being the change you want to see in your world.
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” Carl R. Rogers
Most of us would benefit from getting more exercise. It would help us pay attention, have more energy, be less depressed, decrease the likelihood of getting dementia and heart disease, and if we walked in our own neighborhood we might improve our relationships with neighbors or make new friends. Almost everyone I work with knows that exercise would help them, but few people are willing to make the changes necessary to make exercise a regular part of their lives. Why? The answer is different for everyone but inertia, or the tendency to stay where we are, is often a large part of the reason.
Most of us could eat better. If we ate less that was bad for us (sugar, fatty foods, alcohol, etc.) and more that was good for us (fresh fruits and veggies, homemade items, etc.) our hearts, minds, and bodies would be healthier, have more energy, and if we cooked with friends or family it might even improve our relationships. If we started growing some of our own food, we have the chance to exercise while we're eating better. Again, most people know that they need to improve their diet, but they resist the messages their body is sending regarding foods.
Eating right and exercising take more time than just taking a pill. Many skills or techniques like meditation for example take an investment of time and effort on our part before we can reap the benefits. The benefits often outweigh the effort, but you only notice the benefit after many hours of practice.
“Make the most of yourself....for that is all there is of you.” R. W. Emerson
Quick fixes are attractive because they are so simple. But the key to our health and well being lies in our own hands. We need to decide what is needed to be healthier and happier. So long as we assume someone else (be that a doctor or family member) holds the key to solving a problem we are facing, we can't really make changes. So accept what your are, define what you need to change, and then start the hard working of being the change you want to see in your world.
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” Carl R. Rogers
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Retire later?
Recent research suggest that those who retire later (after age 62) show lower rates of dementia. This makes sense since work keeps us physically and mentally active and tends to increase our social interactions. Being active and social is know to reduce the incidence of dementia. Does that mean you should plan to retire at 80? No...(although some do...)
But when you retire plan to keep working, doing the things you like to do. Volunteer for your favorite organization or community, exercise daily, keep social contacts going, and keep learning. Past research shows that learning new things is an effective way for seniors to keep their brains healthy.
Not all of us are near retirement, but we can all choose to learn (and keep our brains active). Most jobs and hobbies offer opportunities for learning, so it's just a matter of making learning a priority. Learning new areas of expertise at our work makes us a more valuable employee (and better able to find a new job should we need to). Once study suggests that learning something after doing at least 50 minutes of aerobic exercise that day makes learning last longer and encourages growth of brain cells.
So learn to cook, juggle, play a game,... Or learn a new language. Whether you're still working or are retired, you can choose what to learn and what to do that will improve your health.
Note: Research cited comes from the Alzheimer's Neuroscience conference that took place in Boston, MA from July 13-18, 2013.
But when you retire plan to keep working, doing the things you like to do. Volunteer for your favorite organization or community, exercise daily, keep social contacts going, and keep learning. Past research shows that learning new things is an effective way for seniors to keep their brains healthy.
Not all of us are near retirement, but we can all choose to learn (and keep our brains active). Most jobs and hobbies offer opportunities for learning, so it's just a matter of making learning a priority. Learning new areas of expertise at our work makes us a more valuable employee (and better able to find a new job should we need to). Once study suggests that learning something after doing at least 50 minutes of aerobic exercise that day makes learning last longer and encourages growth of brain cells.
So learn to cook, juggle, play a game,... Or learn a new language. Whether you're still working or are retired, you can choose what to learn and what to do that will improve your health.
Note: Research cited comes from the Alzheimer's Neuroscience conference that took place in Boston, MA from July 13-18, 2013.
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