A look at how creativity can help both the person with dementia and their loved ones.
By Melissa Noble
I spent many years working with older people in care home settings and then later on through AgeUK. And obviously through the years have met so many families affected by dementia. A dementia diagnosis can have a huge impact on everyone; the person themself, their family and their friends.
Shock, overwhelm, disbelief, grief, hopelessness, helplessness – they are all BIG emotions to deal with. Not to mention the worry about how everyone will cope with the changes that dementia can bring with it.
If you are the loved one of someone who has recently been diagnosed with dementia, you may find you are struggling with all the feelings that come with the diagnosis. It can be sad and distressing to see how your loved one is changing and you might be trying to hold it together so you can support them. But it is just as important to acknowledge your own emotions and look after your own wellbeing.
We have put together a session that could help you feel a bit more positive and give you some practical strategies to make life feel a bit easier.
We also take a look at creativity and how it could help you connect with the person who has dementia. We have long been fans of the Montessori method and how it applies to people living with dementia. Essentially it promotes the principles of dignity and respect so that we can set people with dementia up to live as independently as possible for an active, purposeful, meaningful life.
Enabling someone to be creative will help them live, not just exist. Freedom of movement and choice is empowering and creativity can help with self-expresssion, help manage and stress and anxiety, and make people feel less alone in their journey.
And finding creative activities that both people with dementia and their loved ones can do together will encourage and strengthen connection.
If you would like more information about our Dementia Connections workshop, please get in touch. We would love to hear from you.