Someone living with dementia still needs to fill the day.
Our problem, our difficulty as care partners is how do we help them do that?
How do we figure out how to make the day meaningful
not just for them, but also for us?
Because we still are living our lives, too.
So it sort of helps to think about, well, what goes in to a meaningful life?
And what I'd tell you is there are four categories of activities.
The first one is feeling productive, valued, doing work.
Now, it may be that you get paid for it, or maybe it's just people say thank you,
but it gives you a sense that I make a difference, that who I am
and how I am and what I can do still has value for people.
And this is really critical for my sense of well-being and self
It's part of what makes us feel like a human being
that is cared about by somebody else and that I'm still here for a reason.
And the reason matters.
Now, the second type of activity that we all do is called
leisure or fun, play, things that you do because they're fun to do.
You do them because they give you joy, because they make you feel good.
You're not going to get
anything out of them financially or maybe even feedback wise.
You like it because you like it.
There's something about it that bumps your energy level that gives you that,
yeah, yeah, yeah!
You find that doing it is pleasurable in and of itself.
And to be honest, it comes in two major categories.
Passive.
It just sort of happens to you and you're absorbing it
so it's coming in, or active.
You're doing something that gets you to feel that way.
And an example would be watching something versus actively
choosing to engage in something.
So I could watch a game of cards or I could play a game of cards.
Two different ways to find joy, and who you are sort of may drive a little bit
of which of those you like better, but you want some of each in your life.
All of us have some of each.
Now, the third category of activities what do we do with our time?
How do we fill our time?
Has to do with self-care, taking care of ourselves, taking care of our body,
taking care of our brain, taking care of the place
we live, taking care of business.
So it means things like for instance, getting around in the world,
transportation.
It includes things as simple as walking, getting in and out of chairs
and as complicated as figuring out a bus system
or how to get on an airplane and then transfer.
So self-care is big and it's little.
It includes things like taking care of your own body
bathing, showering, or eating,
toileting, grooming.
But it also includes things like taking care
of your body, exercise, and taking care of your brain,
thinking, doing things that are fun and interesting to your brain.
So you stimulate your brain.
And additionally, it includes taking care of the world around you,
maybe cleaning up the house, emptying the garbage,
taking things from here to there, moving things around in the world
so that they're where they need to be when you need them.
Shopping. Managing money.
So self-care.
The fourth one and the one we often don't think too much about
is rest and restoration.
Or if we think about it, recharging your batteries.
What we think about as sleep.
And sleep is certainly one way you can do that.
But we need to realize that there are other ways
you recharge your batteries and they're dependent
highly on who you are and how you get your energy back on board.
How do you get yourself charged up to do something?
Some people like to go off by themselves, and some people like to be around people.
And the more they're around people, the more energy they get
has to do with that idea of being an introvert or an extrovert.
Recharging batteries is an important part of every day.
If your battery doesn't get recharged you don't get enough rest and restoration.
It includes spiritual restoration, bringing your spirit back up.
You need that,
but you also need taking care of yourself,
having fun and feeling productive.
So meaningful activities for somebody with dementia need to be balanced.
They still need all four of these.
And frankly, as a care partner, so do you.
One of our biggest challenges is remembering that people need to feel
valued and productive and that there's
more to rest and restoration than sleep.
And not all leisure should be passive.
And taking care of my brain
and my body and myself should match my abilities.
I'm doing the best I can with that.
So what we want to do
is create the right support and the right care so they can shine.
What we want to do now is show you some examples of these different kinds
of activities.
Sometimes in a group and sometimes alone.
But you can see what we're talking about, how you can take someone
who is experiencing a Diamond moment, Emerald, Amber, Ruby, Pearl.
And as a Sapphire, you have choices.
You can provide the right support and the right care in
these kinds of activities filling the day
so you get what you need, and so do they.
And when that happens,
you're doing it just right.
Alright y’all
we're going to do a cooking group this morning.
We need to make some muffins for breakfast in the morning. So,
is blueberry muffins, OK?
Anybody need help tearing their bag open?
I got that far.
You got it that far but then it quit on you, huh?
Let's see.
Now, notice we’re blaming the product, not the person.
That bag, it's such a problem.
There we go and hand it back.
After you get your muffin mix in your bowl.
There's a cup of milk right beside your
bowl that you can pour in there with your muffin mix.
You got it, good job!
Notice how our friend is looking around. What do you do next?
And what's nice about a small group,
People are doing it, some folks are doing it.
So she gets to see what comes next, and she does it.
All right, Lisa, can you get that cup of milk
and put in your muffin mix?
Cue somebody up to get started
and guess what?
There we go.
Other people are doing it, too, because they see what's going on.
Let's go ahead and stir it up and see if we have enough milk in there.
We got plenty of milk if we need more.
OK now, one person who's able get’s started with the syrup.
These are ladies who’ve made a lot of muffins.
[inaudible]
Look at that shoulder movement.
Look at that action.
They have a job.
[inaudible]
Lots of reinforcement. There you go. Yes,
Can you put these paper cups in there for me?
[inaudible]
Step-by-step.
All right.
[inaudible]
We may have more mix than we have cups to put it in.
If we do, we'll get another pan.
[inaudible]
Sharing a muffin pan,
getting them all filled up.
We may have too much.
Just a little warning. There might be extra.
Don't panic.
What's your favorite part of cooking, the baking or the eating?
[inaudible]
What's your favorite snack?
A muffin. Muffins.
I like muffins too.
What's your favorite part of cooking?
Eating or the cooking itself? Cooking.
The cooking is better.
I kind of like the eating better myself.
So here's a lady who cares more about cooking than eating.
If we just have her eat, maybe she won't eat so much.
But if we get her to. Cook and compliment.
Her, she'll eat with.
Us because she cooked for us.
Success!
[inaudible]
And William,
He's into detail.
We need to support what he cares about.
Put another spoonful in each one of them.
And then let's see how...
Because success is in William's eyes.
Tell me when you're ready, and I'll put it in the oven.
Is it ready?
People are using their hands.
Using their eyes to accomplish a task.
This is terrific. This is wonderful!
And, they did
something productive, something of value.
I'm still me.
[No dialogue]
Oh, that was good. Here you go.
[inaudible]
Yum, it's because her hand has come into her mouth, right.
Versus you poking her in the mouth with your spoon.
And her brain going, whoa what's that?
Oh, wait a minute.
[inaudible]
And this is like oh, OK, I’m eating, got it.
That’s pretty easy once I know what it is,
Mmm, there you go.
Wow!
Isn’t that fun?
Oh, my!
Both of you are going to have a better time.
And what’ I’m doing is supporting under elbow.
And so that gives her a little added information.
And when I do that, she can sit up a little bit better, too.
And I can judge.
[inaudible]
I get thrilled when I learn something new.
Isn’t that fun?
We're going to try the same thing with Miss Frances in
a minute and see if she's OK with it.
See if she likes it.
She eats fine right now, but time will come.
Is it good, Lucille?
Do you like chili?
It's pretty tasty.
Wow.
There you go.
Ladies, here's the deal.
I made a picture and I cut them up, but now I'm
not sure if I have all the pieces
so I'm wondering if you could
put this puzzle together for me and see if I've got everything.
And I've got several,
and I need a little help
Now what you see me doing here is giving them a reason to do what I'm asking them to do.
[inaudible]
I've done something, I might have made a mistake.
Can you help me?
Spread them out,
because I wanted to do them later, but I've got to make sure I've got
everything I'm supposed to have.
Yeah.
And what I did here is I took some pictures,
I blew them up, I printed them out on cardstock.
So try you every, all of them should be. And cut them up.
[inaudible]
Now, what's nice about this is if I lose a piece, guess what?
It's not a big deal.
They're up there if we need them.
What did I use pictures of for this group?
Flowers.
Bright colors, clear shapes.
Let’s see how they do with this?
I love jigsaws.
There it is.
Look at you.
You're great.
Look at that. You're good at that.
There we go.
Look at the hand-eye activity here.
Look at how they're trying to figure out how
things go together.
You've got too many. Let's see here, Martha.
Let me.
Let me try something.
Take that piece and try it right there.
Now, one of my friends needs a little more help here.
It's too many pieces.
She can't get started.
Now let's turn that one. There she goes.
Look, keep turning it right over here.
See if you can get it to go right there.
Flip it around.
Now, notice how I tapped on the table.
And gave her the cue, but I'm not taking the
piece from her.
She's doing it.
Perfect.
All right, well, now we got to.
OK, now I think maybe that's in the middle on the bottom.
Try and see if it fits, like, right here or not.
So I'm giving her a little hint.
Just straight up, mhmm.
And see if you can get her to line up.
Shift it maybe, just,
does that feel right? Does that looks right?
Perfect.
And--and here, I think, try and see if that last piece fits it,
Oh, hmm.
Oh, look at you.
That's it. See, I had it upside down.
She's smarter than I am.
And look at the lady next to her.
She's already got that one together.
You had all your pieces. Evelyn, That's great.
Look at you, you're good.
You must have done crosswords or jigsaws before, too.
Yeah.
Wow. And look at you.
Let's see if we can get yours to come together.
Let's see here.
See if maybe that one will fit right over.
Try it right there.
Will it slide?
Maybe turn it this. What let's turn it.
Maybe like this and try.
Now, notice this one has diagonals.
It's a little more challenging.
Let's see if we can get this one.
See if that little point fits right in there.
That's perfect.
Oh, yes, I think so.
What do you think?
Yep.
Nice.
See if that one goes down there.
Right here.
Now, notice how I'm handing one piece at a time.
I think you're right.
Now, we got two at the top, see if you can get those two lined up here.
With a little bit of organizational help,
and a little bit of structure.
Look at how well she's doing.
And look at how she's using her brain.
Her eyes, her hands,
her thinking.
One that goes right here, it's sort of tricky.
Why don't you put them all out? That might work easy.
Now I'm trying to do two things at one time.
Let's see how this goes. That's it.
Oh, look, they found my
missing piece for me. Boy, you got a good eye.
Let's see,
you got it on the first try.
Thank you.
[inaudible]
You ladies,
tell you what, give yourselves a hand.
This is, you all got it all in one.
You guys are good.
I used to do puzzles. Did you?
I can tell.
Y'all must have been real good at this when you were younger.
We didn't have nothing else.
We didn't have no crayons or any of that stuff.
You just had puzzles?
Yeah, we had puzzles. Well, boy, I'll tell you, it stayed with you.