What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
September is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and every six out of 10 patients, which is estimated to be over 520,000 people in the UK, are considered to have dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease and this figure is set to rise. It is progressive and often develops slowly so symptoms may not be as obvious at first. Rather than feel defeated by the diagnosis, there are plenty of ways to make sure every moment together is treasured.
Unfortunately, there is still no cure, however our understanding of memory has improved, so certain activities can be a regular part of a person’s care. From singing and dancing to crosswords and jigsaws, all of these tasks use different areas of the brain. Even encouraging loved ones to play dominoes and folding clothes can be used to help someone with Alzheimer’s feel busy, get moving and create special moments.
Making memories with music
Carefully selected songs from an individual’s era can be uploaded onto an MP3 player and used with headphones. This enables them to listen to music at any time with their very own personal playlist to sing and move along to. Music is a powerful tool that can give you another topic to talk about together and a chance to reminisce.
Live music and group activities are another fantastic way to get people humming along to their favourite tunes and a great way to keep people engaged. Red Roofs had a visit from the vintage singer Jayne Darling for their Summer Fair on Friday September 10th, 2021. Jayne has seen fantastic audience contributions to her vintage performances for the last eight years.
She told us:
“Music can calm, reduce anxiety, bring back memories and stimulate the brain – I have seen patients with dementia who hardly speak suddenly remember all the words to a song from 60 or 70 years ago. This is especially important after the last 18 months when many people have been facing isolation due to the pandemic.
“As a care home singer, I understand the need for interaction with the residents so I will talk about the songs, ask them to join in and actively encourage them to be part of the show. I often move away from my set to include music that I think they will react well to. It is important that I wear era appropriate clothing in bright colours so the whole theme links together and sparks conversations. Music is an important part of wellbeing, and it is fantastic to hear organisations are slowly being able to safely introduce live entertainment back into their homes.”
The power of place
Red Court Care Community has a London Wing as part of their provision, this uses the power of significant places to spark conversations and make new memories. Many of us recognise the key landmarks in London even if we have not physically been ourselves. Our brains have seen pictures of The London Eye and Big Ben through watching the news on TV and being taught about London at school. A strong routine teamed with a memorable theme helps to bring comfort and consistency for the residents.
Finding what works for you
Everyone has their own unique likes and dislikes, different career paths, various places they have visited and personal stories to tell. No two patients with Alzheimer’s are the same and the disease can progress at different rates. Alzheimer’s can also occur in different parts of the brain, therefore having a good knowledge of the various areas of the brain and their functions can help further understand what your loved one will be able to achieve each day in our care. It can also fluctuate day to day – we all get tired and may simply need to rest and try again tomorrow with a fresh start. For example, if someone used to be a chef but cannot use a sharp knife, they may find joy in setting the table, mixing ingredients together and of course in taste-testing! Finding simpler, relatable activities to their personal interests we can find their unique mix of activities that suits them and their needs.
By celebrating together what is still possible, we can provide the highest standard of care for those with Alzheimer’s disease and ensure that we make moments that matter.
For more information about what care we can provide for your loved one here at Red Homes, please visit this page.
Find out more about Alzheimer’s Awareness Month here.
