Engaging people living with dementia in stimulating and meaningful activities provides opportunities for independence and a sense of self. After a successful pilot project, “Making Connections,” is a program that brings together people living with dementia and caregivers. Programs with peers in the dementia community grow resilience, skills and coping methods and may even prevent abuse.
Meaningful Activities Make a Difference at the Whistler Dementia Project
Engaging people living with dementia in stimulating and meaningful activities provides opportunities for independence and a sense of self. Activities relating to the person’s earlier interests, intergenerational events and music from past eras often stimulate memories and improve function, even briefly.
The Whistler CRN host agency, Whistler Mature Action Community (Whistler MAC), hosts Making Connections weekly and is looking into holding a specific caregivers program. A music therapist brings instruments for the participants, who often start mouthing the words to long-forgotten songs. A gentle exercise program helps with physical capabilities and stability. Equally important, caregivers can share space with other caregivers in a supportive community setting.
Check your local seniors’ centres and community health providers for local programs to support people with dementia or cognitive challenges and for family and caregivers.
Lack of Connection May Lead to Frustration or Abuse
January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, highlighting Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia in Canada. With over 770,000 people in Canada living with memory, behaviour and communication challenges, dementia can make individuals more vulnerable to adult abuse and neglect.
People living with dementia are vulnerable to all kinds of abuse, often by people they trust. They may live in their own homes or residential care facilities, and abuse may be explained by “she fell” or “his dementia makes him paranoid.” They are also vulnerable to outside parties manipulating them for personal gain.
According to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, up to 12 percent of people with dementia experience abuse or neglect of some kind. Others exhibit violent behaviour, lashing out at caregivers in frustration.
Abuse and Dementia Have Many Faces
Abuse and dementia can be very complex. Abuse may be inflicted by the person with dementia, a family member or a member of the person’s community. Three common scenarios are:
- The person with dementia becomes aggressive and assaults their caregiver or others.
- The caregiver becomes frustrated and may physically or emotionally abuse or neglect the person.
- The abuse is a continuation of intimate partner violence, and increases when one of the partners develops dementia. (Research shows survivors of family violence, particularly those who have been concussed, are at higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.)
Warning Signs of Abuse in Dementia
People with dementia are vulnerable to many forms of abuse and neglect. Caregivers and support workers can identify current and potential problems by staying alert to the warning signs.
Physical Abuse
Signs of physical abuse include bruises, broken eyeglasses, restraint marks on wrists, over or underdoses of medication. The caregiver may refuse to let you see the person without them present.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse includes any form of belittling, threatening or controlling behaviour. Signs are similar to dementia symptoms, making them challenging to identify. Sudden changes in rocking behaviour, depression and withdrawal may be signs of emotional abuse.
Sexual Abuse
Any non-consensual sexual activity is abuse. Watch for signs of bruising around the genitals and breasts, torn or stained underwear and anal or vaginal bleeding.
Financial Abuse
Sudden changes in a person’s financial status are cause for concern. They may have been coerced into giving access to their accounts, “helping” a friend with bills, changing their will and/or power of attorney, or having a “new sweetheart.”
Neglect or Self-Neglect
Withholding food and not supplying adequate shelter and other essentials are acts of neglect. Weight loss, increased confusion, bed sores, poor sanitization, severe clutter and hoarding may be observed.
Explore our website to learn more about BC CRN, or connect with your local CRN for more information or resources.
