Hudson Grande 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 Hudson Grande 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. Just because an individual has a dementia diagnosis doesn’t mean they stop enjoying things. You would get bored not doing anything during the day or doing the exact same thing every single day. Memory care residents are just the same. We use the hobbies and interests of a person to get to know them, helping us relate to that person.

Almost anything can be modified to fit any kind of lifestyle, including interests and hobbies. If someone was an avid gardener in the past, we could raise a garden bed, so they aren’t crouching down. We could plant in individual pots and keep them on the window ledges, so we can see them all the time. If someone enjoyed playing bingo, we can call the number more often or louder. We could make bingo cards with larger numbers and use larger chips to cover them. These are just some examples of the modifications that can be made to make hobbies more accessible and enjoyable for these residents. 

Keeping residents engaged has a lot of benefits. Engagement during the day is good for their mental health, they enjoy the socialization, and residents get the satisfaction of doing something they love.

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.