The Madison 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 Madison 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. Here at The Madison, we use our residents’ engagement profiles to find pursuits that will be meaningful to our residents and bring them a sense of purpose. Not everyone likes puzzles and coloring, so taking into consideration their past hobbies and occupations allows us to come up with out-of-the-box approaches to engage our residents and create a sense of accomplishment for them. 

Interests and hobbies can be modified to reflect their current abilities. As individuals progress through the stages of the dementia, their skills and abilities may start to diminish. We want to make sure everyone feels included and can participate in our events. At times, the tasks may need to be modified for the resident’s current level of ability. One example recently is when our residents were making jewelry. Most of the residents participating in the task, were able to sequence and place beads on the string. One resident was not able to, but she was able to sort them by color and shape. This allowed other residents to have access to the color they desired quicker and made everyone feel like they were working as part of a team!

Engagement is vital for someone living with dementia, as it helps reduce behaviors, sets a routine for the resident, and helps maintain their remaining abilities for as long as possible during the disease progression.

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.