As you've explored in previous lessons, when faced with boredom, persons with dementia can show challenging behaviors that attempt to communicate that something is wrong or a need is not being met. Instead of responding with antipsychotic medication, you can provide activities to engage them.

Below are a few ideas to get you started. The participants manual at the end of the module provides further details.

Memory Cafes

These cafes a safe and comfortable space where caregivers and their loved ones can socialize, listen to music, play games, and enjoy other appropriate activities together. They provide mutual support and exchange information.

Music and Memory

Music and Memory is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring personalized music into the lives of those with dementia or other cognitive disorders to vastly improve their quality of life.

Here's how caregivers, along with care-recipients, benefit greatly from this project:

• An increase in participation by the recipient in their care
• A decrease in the number of falls
• A decrease in the use of psychotropic medications
• A decrease in the signs of anxiety and depression in the recipients
• An increase in caregivers' job satisfaction

Implementing the Music and Memory program is a rather simple process and information can be found at http://musicandmemory.org/.

Reminiscence Activities

They involve reaching the memories that reside in regions of the brain that are still working. Reminiscing can be both comforting and therapeutic for the individual with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Reminiscence therapy is often used by activity therapists or other professionals and involves the discussing and sharing memories, reviewing and evaluating those memories, and recapturing the emotions and feelings that are associated with and are an integral part of the memories. Reminiscence therapy can be done one-on-one or in groups. They can be done by anyone who is willing to listen.

Reminiscence Activity programs in care communities often include themed bags, boxes, or books related to the seasons or an individual's special interests. Common themes include beaches, traveling, sports, military, gardening, and food.

Art

Art provides a way for people to reach inside themselves -- to put on paper or some other medium a representation of their thoughts and feelings that they may otherwise not be able to express. Art therapy will not eliminate Alzheimer's, but it can stimulate the brain in a new direction. Art gives them more than something pretty to look at or an exercise to keep them busy. It stimulates the brain, stirs memories and can bring language back into the life of someone who struggles to speak. Art therapy has also been noted to awaken people with cognitive decline. It can inspire someone with limited speech to use a paintbrush to communicate, and it can lessen aggressive behavior.

Suggestions for art therapy include painting, drawing, dancing, weaving, and sculpting. Develop an exhibit for the care recipients' artwork for visitors to see. Encourage visiting art museums.

Humor/Laughter

Humor and laughter are good for all of us, including people with dementia. Laughter calms and reassures and sends a message of light-hearted joy. Laughter allows us to redirect negative emotions, improves social interactions, eases symptoms of depression, tempers aggression, and reduces stress.

Creating a Memory Book

A memory book is simply a way to organize memories and mementos, photographs, stories, genealogy, significant documents, etc. Creating and completing such a book can be an invaluable life review, especially as an activity for people in earlier stages of any progressive cognitive disorder. Later, it can be used over and over again to stimulate reminiscences. There are several good books that have been designed to prompt and contain memories of one's life. They have questions about genealogy, friends, marriage and all of those things that make up personal history, and they provide space to write answers as well as post photographs and other memorabilia.

Animals

Researchers have long suggested pets are good for us: offering health benefits like lower blood pressure and heart rate, lower stress hormone levels, and higher levels of the feel-good hormone, serotonin.

Therapy dogs and other animals can help stimulate a social response, reduce agitation, encourage physical activity, improve eating, and increase pleasure.

There is a lot of planning, training, and work that must be done prior to implementing a successful animal-assisted therapy visit. A more comprehensive discussion can be found in your participant's manual and at Delta Society and Therapy Dogs International,

Robotic Companion Pets

As reported in Psychology Today, researchers found real dogs are better than robots for assisting social interactions. Robotic animals did help individuals with severe cognitive impairments engage more. Robotic seals, dogs, and cats are available.

Dolls

Providing residents with dolls in long-term care facilities has grown in popularity. Doll-based interventions may give persons with dementia an opportunity to express affection, physical nurturing and emotional attachment. Providing a doll to someone with dementia has been associated with a number of benefits. Some of these include a reduction in episodes of distress, wandering, aggressive behaviors and the need for antipsychotic medication.

A person-directed care approach sees the person as an individual, rather than focusing on their illness or on lost abilities. Even with limited capacities, there are still things that a person can do to stimulate their senses and sense of well-being.