Introduction

Community programs allow persons with dementia to continue to help improve and be a part of their community. Giving to the community brings meaning to all our lives.

Giving Back

People with dementia who become involved with activities in the community, such as attending a concert feel less isolated. People with dementia who are involved in productive ways enjoy a feeling of usefulness and of purpose.

For example, at Helping Hands, Mission View Health Center persons with dementia make soap and then sell the soap at the farmers market. They use the proceeds to buy and prepare meals for the homeless shelter.

Depending on the care recipient’s cognitive and functional level, they may still wish to participate in specific activities such as voting and going to church. The community can also offer opportunities for families and other volunteers to participate in activities. Example activities include starting a food drive, participating in a toy drive or participating in an intergenerational program.

Intergenerational Programs

Intergenerational practices affect two vulnerable populations: the young and the old.

Generations United defines Intergenerational Programs as "Social vehicles that offer people from the younger and older the opportunities to interact with each other and become engaged in issues concerning society."

These programs bring together people from different generations and build on the resources that each has to offer. They participate in ongoing, beneficial, planned activities which are designed to achieve specific goals. The process helps promote a sense of interdependence, lifelong contribution, and increased perception of self–worth. Both individuals and communities benefit.

Intergenerational programs in the USA range in size, focus, and intensity. Successful programs are mutually beneficial, build upon strengths, and address the needs of different age groups and communities. Listed below are some examples of successful national programs.

Experience Corps (www.experiencecorps.org)

Oasis (www.oasisnet.org)

Seniors4kids (http://gu.org/OURWORK/Seniors4Kids)

Here are some ideas to start intergenerational programs in your community:

• If you have a Music & Memory Program, invite nursing students or high school students to help download music onto iPods and teach care recipients how to use them.
• Invite agriculture groups from high schools to help with the heavy activities of developing a garden.
• Invite choir or dance groups to perform for the recipients. Include those that are able to dance themselves.
• Invite kindergarten or daycare children for a reading hour so older care recipients can read to the children.
• Invite teenagers to help teach the recipients how to use computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones.