Memory Based Socialization
Dealing with the dementia patient can be both heartbreaking and challenging. Dementia is a broad term used to describe a condition of declined mental ability that interferes with daily life. Often, we think of it as memory loss affecting our elderly population. While there is no cure for dementia, there are some treatments that have proven helpful. Let’s look at memory club socialization as an option.
More and more, dementia patients are being encouraged to join Memory Clubs, a popular and successful form of Reminiscence Therapy. This therapy involves clubs or social groups forming around shared and intense interests in which participants may discuss their opinions, experiences and feelings. In addition to sports, the focus of these groups could be hobbies like gardening, knitting, mah jong, or art. Participants get to focus and converse on topics in which they are knowledgeable and passionate, giving them an enjoyable social activity.
Memory Clubs for Dementia
The Journal of American Medical Directors Association highlights a very interesting approach toward supporting someone with dementia. The article entitled “Baseball Reminiscence League: A Model for Supporting Persons with Dementia” brings into focus groups formed around sports such as baseball and soccer. By encouraging those with various levels of dementia to join in memory club socialization based on a shared interest, dementia patients can talk about their earlier memories which are often much clearer to them than recent ones. In these groups, participants share their intense interest and relate their opinions and experiences, thereby giving them the opportunity to express their feelings in a venue they rarely have in their lives anymore, a social group. Consequently, a by-product of this is a reduction in their awful feelings of isolation.
Reminiscence Therapy
This reminiscence therapy is a wonderful way to enrich the lives of seniors with dementia. Reminiscence Therapy is a therapy that focuses on reflection and not simply recall. Discussions are different from that which would typically occur in casual conversation. Reminiscence therapy may use prompts such as photographs, music, personal recordings or familiar items from the past to encourage discussion of earlier memories. Thus, conversation are deeper requiring more cognitive involvement. Moreover, discussions are more meaningful to the participant.
For the elderly who suffer from dementia, Memory Clubs, as a pathway for Reminiscence Therapy, is beneficial to improving cognitive function and quality of life. Though the data is not fully developed, outcomes seem to be quite positive. Respondents reported feeling more alert and confident, as well as less angry, anxious, and sad and their family caregivers confirmed this. This type of storytelling has many benefits for patient and caregiver alike. The patient gets to focus on what he or she actually does know versus their memory deficiency. Furthermore, the caregivers of dementia patients who have gone through this process have reported that it helped them have “a more positive view of the residents with a greater recognition of the patients’ previous life experiences”. Consequently, this translated into more job satisfaction which surely can directly impact on the quality of caregiving.
Memory Clubs Forming
This model has been tried in different countries with various groups forming recently. In Scotland, they formed a Football (soccer to us) Reminiscence Program. After that, the St. Louis Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association formed the St. Louis a Cardinals Reminiscence League in 2013. Groups meet twice monthly and can even include field trips, guest speakers and movie viewings on theme. Also, family members have ample opportunities to volunteer. Because there is minimal training required for volunteers, there are many opportunities for family members to share in the lives of their loved ones as they participate and even facilitate groups.
Memory club socialization has great potential for national replication across hundreds if not thousands of locales nationally. Also, they can be adapted to many different hobbies for themes. As well, web resources are available. Fortunately, this is a very low budget scheme for enriching the lives of our older generation. Of course, anything that could help improve the life of senior and their caregivers that is implementable in both day care and institutional setting is certainly well worth the effort.
Find A Memory Club In Your Area
Cognitive & Social Benefits for Dementia Patients
Participants in these Memory Clubs report both cognitive and social benefits. Furthermore, they show improvement in memory and language abilities. Moreover, they seem to have a stronger sense of self and improved positive mood, thereby improving their social situation. And, this is all provided by an enjoyable social activity at a time when opportunities for meaningful socialization decline, often leaving our elderly with feelings of isolation. Overall, Memory Clubs are a very low budget and a potentially beneficial way to treat and enrich the lives of our elderly dementia population.
David York Agency Homecare Helps Seniors in Manhattan
We at David York Agency are acquainted with this exciting approach to dementia and are well versed in all forms of dementia care. Furthermore, we are always available to set up a senior care plan taking the whole patient into account. We are ultra sensitive to the state of mind of our elderly patients and are committed to treating them with the respect and understanding that their years have earned them.
At David York Agency, we understand the many challenges and risks faced by the aging and elderly. We are dedicated to providing care to support them through all of those ups and downs. At David York Home Healthcare Agency, extraordinary service is what sets us apart from other companies in Manhattan that provide in home healthcare services.
DYA we could provide direction as to how to manage the total care of your senior loved one. Whatever your care needs, we are there for you, always striving to exceed your expectations. For more information about David York Agency’s qualified, compassionate caregivers, contact us at (718) 376-7755. A free phone consultation can help you determine what services would meet your needs. We aim to provide you and your loved one with the assistance they need. If you’d like to hear more from us, please like us on Facebook or follow us on X or LinkedIn.
For more helpful tips and information, check out our blog or contact us today.
