The Wellington Senior Living Memory Care Discusses Creating Engagement with Someone Living with Dementia

In a world that thrives on communication, connection, and shared experiences, dementia poses unique challenges. It affects not only an individual’s memory, but also their very essence. As the number of individuals living with dementia continues to rise, it becomes increasingly important to explore ways to foster meaningful engagement.

Dementia can be an isolating and disorienting condition, creating a feeling of disconnect from the world they once knew and loved. However, beneath the surface of cognitive decline lies the enduring essence of the individual waiting to be nurtured and cherished. By embracing empathy, patience, and creativity we can create experiences that transcend memory loss and provide a lifeline to the person within.

Join us at The Wellington Senior Living on a journey to unlock the potential for engagement and connection with your loved one living with dementia. Together, we will discover the power of human connection that transcends the boundaries of memory, and in doing so, enrich the lives of those touched by this challenging condition.

Past hobbies and interests are important to know about someone. Oftentimes our residents will revert to their long-term memories because of their dementia diagnosis. Knowing what they enjoyed in their past helps us to serve them better and understand them in a personal way. By discovering this information, we will utilize this when creating our programming calendars and engaging them in individual events or as redirection opportunities, as it’s important their lifestyles are reflected in their daily routine. 

When a person is diagnosed with dementia the progression of the disease will interfere with their daily living. Modifying an event or care task to meet their current needs and abilities is very important and often allows the resident to still be very active in their care routine as well as their programs of interests. Highlighting what they are still capable of doing preserves their dignity. This can be done in multiple ways. For example, if a resident loves to read but is experiencing some vision impairment, we can offer large print books, picture books, or provide books on tapes. We find a solution to maximize their engagement experience and allow them to be in control of their care. 

Engagement gives them a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Letting the individual with dementia do simple chores like taking out the trash, wiping or setting the tables for meals, or washing dishes makes them feel needed and useful. Engagement can build self-esteem and create meaningful moments of joy. It is an outlet that often helps prevent boredom, lack of stimulation, minimizes or prevents falls, and often can be a therapeutic approach to reducing abnormal behaviors. 

When it comes to engaging someone living with dementia, patience, empathy, and creativity are the keys to fostering meaningful connections. By embracing a person-centered approach, we can unlock a world of possibilities, enabling individuals with dementia to continue experiencing joy, connection, and a sense of purpose. Remember, it’s not about fixing what’s broken, but rather cherishing the unique qualities that make each person special. Together we can create moments of engagement where those living with dementia are valued and cherished for who they are, not just who they were.