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Activity
gives us a sense of purpose and makes us feel useful.
Activities give meaning to our lives. It is therefore
important to remain active regardless of mental state.
While
Alzheimer's disease and other dementias progressively
rob a person of mental abilities and the skills needed
for everyday living, this deterioration does not happen
all at once. Many skills are maintained far into the
course of the disease.
Yet
a common misperception of carers, both professional
and family, is that the diagnosis of dementia suddenly
renders the person unable or unsafe to perform many
tasks. Some carers respond by 'taking over' and doing
everything for the person with dementia. Conversely,
some carers subscribe to the 'use it or lose it' philosophy.
These carers believe that with constant questioning,
or introducing new and challenging activities, that
somehow the disease process can be halted or reversed.
Neither
of these approaches is beneficial for the person with
dementia. The first creates dependence and increases
the apparent rate of mental decline; while the second
creates great confusion and distress for the person
with dementia. Both approaches contribute to significant
behavioural disturbances and destroy the self esteem
of the person with dementia.
The best way to keep the mind and body active is to
focus on activities that help maintain existing skills
for as long as possible. Simplicity is the key.
Guiding
Principles:
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Involve
the person in the decision making process. What
is it that they want to wear, do etc.?
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Activities
need to be age and gender specific. To give
an 80 year old man a doll to hold and 'care'
for, is totally inappropriate.
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Base
the choice of activities on past likes and lifestyle.
The skills for these types of activities are
deeply embedded in the mind and last long into
the illness.
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All
activities need to be meaningful for the person
with dementia.
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Considerations:
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A
degree of assistance or supervision is likely
to be needed and plenty of time allocated. This
requires patience and flexibility on the part
of the carer.
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Focus
should be on the interaction, fun and enjoyment,
not task completion. And if the flowers are
pulled out instead of the weeds, life goes on!
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Repetition
of a liked activity gives a sense of comfort,
security and worthiness to an individual. For
example, sweeping the garden path for several
hours each day may seem boring to the carer
or onlooker, but gives the person with dementia
a sense of purpose.
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