Late Life CreativityTips to Improve Memory
By Pat O'Hearn, MSW
Many of us are currently responsible for the care of an elderly family member or will be in the future. This individual may be suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, other types of dementia or memory loss. It is important to not let the stereotypes of aging get in the way of how we approach care giving.
Common stereotypes are:
- “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”
- Over the hill
- In the autumn of life
- Grumpy old men/women
- No longer productive
Current research on the plasticity of the brain shows that “old dogs can learn new tricks”. When the brain is exposed to a more creative and challenging environment, it grows more dendrites which help improve communication between cells. Older brains become better at recruiting and processing new information as a result.
To help our loved ones age successfully, we need to keep in mind their need for stimulation in all areas of their lives even if they are beginning to show some signs of memory loss or dementia.
Programs available to the elderly include:
Elders Share the Arts Program Research shows after one year of participation in this program, elders had fewer doctor visits, used fewer medications, reported lower rates of depression, were less lonely and more socially active. The positive affects of being able to do something well increases as we age and the end result is a boost to the immune system.
Memories In the Making is also another art program which is helpful in improving the well being of people with dementia. It allows individuals with declining speech to express themselves in a positive way. Quality of life has also been shown to be improved as this program is for people with mild to middle stage dementia. This program is sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association. To find more information please go to www.alz.org.
Reminiscence and Life Review
The process of revisiting ones life history helps to take care of unfinished business and unresolved conflicts as well as understanding self. It is important to look at accomplishments and the ways one has gotten through rough times. A Life Story Book can be very comforting to an older person suffering from memory loss because they can refer to it over time. An important reference is the TimeSlips-Creative Storytelling Project for people with dementing illnesses. www.TimeSlips.org
Memory Lane Media has developed a DVD entitled Family which allows a family member and caregiver reminisce over the lifespan. They provide a kit called Connect and Reflect which includes a video, CD and memory book. Visit their website at www.MemoryLaneMedia.com.
Music Therapy
People with dementia can participate in music activities into the late stages of dementia. This is due to the fact that information presented in music improves recall and recognition. It can also be an effective way to manage difficult behaviors without the use of medication and has a calming effect.
Music Therapy Resources:
Alicia Clair, Therapeutic Uses of Music with Older Adults
Oliver Sacks, Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain
Play and Creativity
Play has been found to be an important part of the cognitive and emotional well being of all ages including elders. Crossword puzzles, Sudoku and general puzzles are a good way to keep the mind active for all of us as well as the elderly. There are games and puzzles designed specifically for persons with dementia. GENCO makes an Essential Cribbage Board, Word Wars III and Tic Tac Phone. They also produce a board game called Making Memories Together. Its purpose is to tap into remaining memory to help the person relate to family members when they visit. To learn more about these and other games please go to www.GENCO-GAMES.com.
Computer Technology
IT’S NEVER 2 LATE computer therapy applications are currently being used in some nursing homes and assisted living facilities. They are being used for physical recovery as well as for maintaining cognitive functioning. They are particularly helpful in memory exercises by putting family pictures into the computer and asking the person to name and tell the relationship to them. Teaching the use of email also helps families communicate more easily. For more information go to www.in2l.com.
General Ideas for Creativity
Dance, humor, pets, nature, massage, volunteering, intergenerational activities, scrapbooking and meditation are all activities that encourage creativity.
It is important to talk with your family member to determine what their strengths and interests are in order to use the above suggestions well.
The following questions are most important to answer for the older person. However first we need to assess the type of intelligence they have in order to know what will work best for them.
Howard Gardner defines seven types of intelligence.
- Spiritual –practices religion; is interested in philosophy and the “bigger questions” in life
- Motor-enjoys working with hands; likes physical exercise; enjoys sports
- Musical-enjoys listening to music; plays an instrument; knows a lot about music
- Naturalist-loves nature; would rather be outdoors; cares for pets; likes to garden
- Verbal-loves to tell stories; enjoys conversation and public speaking; likes to read, write and do crossword puzzles
- Mathematical/Logical-good with numbers; enjoys playing cards; follows the stock market
- Visual/Spatial-artistic; likes to draw or paint; likes to repair things; likes to knit and sew
Daniel Goleman talks about the eighth form of intelligence which is emotional.
It is described as being a good listener; people person; fun to be around; self reflective and insightful.
Keeping in mind the type of intelligence they have, you can then answer the following questions with about them to determine what options will work best for them.
For the person with mild to moderate dementia:
- What are you good at?
- What skills do you have from your jobs?
- What was your favorite job?
- What are your hobbies?
- What keeps you busy now?
- What would you like to learn?
- When do you feel most satisfied, happiest or creative?
For the person with severe dementia you will need to answer the above questions without input and consider some of the suggestions below to help them.
- Use non-verbal activities such as music, art and physical movement
- Use tasks with repetitive motion such as knitting, sanding a piece of wood. These skills tend to remain in memory the longest
- Break tasks into very small components such as sorting objects by color or shape
- Always remember to focus on the process with severe dementia; not the product!! The goal is to enhance the memory that still remains
Hopefully by using some of the ideas listed above you will enhance the life of your loved one and also enjoy the time you have with them as well.
Recommended Resources
Click on the title to be directed to Amazon.com. Multiple Intelligences: New Horizons in Theory and Practice Intelligence Reframed: Multiple Intelligences for the 21st Century Excellent resources by Howard Gardner |
