New Traditions to Make with Your Loved One with Dementia
| Dementia
New Traditions to Make with Your Loved One with Dementia
As our parents age, they may face challenges like dementia, which can be a difficult and emotional journey for both them and their families. But even in the face of such challenges, creating new traditions and meaningful moments with your loved one is essential. If you’re a child with an aging parent dealing with dementia, this blog is here to provide you with ideas and resources to help you continue to make memories together.
Memory Walks
Canada is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and going for memory walks can be a wonderful tradition. Whether it’s a stroll through a local park or a visit to a beautiful botanical garden, being surrounded by nature can be calming and comforting for individuals with dementia. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for you to bond and reminisce about the past.
Art and Craft Sessions
Engaging in creative activities can be therapeutic for both you and your loved one with dementia. You don’t have to be an artist to enjoy this. You can start simple with coloring books, painting, or crafting together. Art can be a powerful means of self-expression and can stimulate memories and conversations.
Music Therapy
Music has a magical way of connecting with people, even those with dementia. You can create a musical tradition by playing your loved one’s favorite songs or taking them to live music events. The power of music in triggering memories and emotions cannot be underestimated.
Cooking and Baking Together
Cooking or baking together can be a heartwarming tradition that involves all the senses. Prepare a family recipe or bake cookies and share stories while the delightful aromas fill the kitchen. This not only creates a sensory experience but also a chance to bond.
Storytelling Time
Storytelling can be a therapeutic tradition that involves both reminiscing and creating new memories. Encourage your loved one to share stories from their past, and you can take turns sharing tales from your life. This can be a lovely way to preserve family history.
What is success?
Bayshore spoke to Katie Griffiths, Director of Community Services for the Alzheimer Society Peel, and we explored the concept of success in a different light. According to Griffiths, measuring success should be approached differently, considering the unique challenges faced by caregivers and individuals living with dementia.
Griffiths shared a heartwarming example of a paint afternoon organized for caregivers and individuals diagnosed with dementia. During the activity, one caregiver expressed frustration as their loved one struggled to follow the instructions. Simultaneously, the individual with dementia expressed their reluctance to participate. However, the situation took an unexpected turn when the organizers asked the individual if they could assist in cleaning the brushes. Engaging in this helping role, the individual opened about their professional life, showcasing their extensive education, and leaving everyone in the group content and connected. This allowed the caregiver to relax and enjoy the activity and the company of others.
It’s important to recognize that creating new traditions with your loved one who has dementia can foster a sense of connection and make the most of your time together. As Griffiths emphasizes, if an activity doesn’t go as planned, it doesn’t mean you should give up. Just like anyone else, individuals living with dementia have good and bad days. So, if a well-planned activity doesn’t yield the desired outcome, don’t be discouraged. It may work in the future.
In Canada, there are resources and support available to assist you on this journey. Remember, it’s not about the complexity of the tradition, but the love, connection, and meaningful moments shared. Embrace these new traditions and cherish the time spent with your parent, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
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