Welcome to Alicia’s monthly advice column where she’ll provide tips on caring for a loved one with dementia. Alicia Seaver is the Director of Memory Care at Bridges® by EPOCH and is a certified memory impairment specialist. This month’s topic is alternative therapies.
Dementia treatments are constantly advancing. While conventional medicine is still used as the primary mode of treatment, alternative therapies have been on the rise in recent years. Sometimes referred to as “complementary” or “holistic” therapies, these treatments are meant to be used in conjunction with—not in place of—conventional medicine to help aid cognition and decrease agitation.
Below is a basic overview of some popular alternative therapies, as well as tips for introducing them to your loved one:
Acupuncture, which originated in China, operates under the philosophy that health disorders result from imbalances in the flow of energy around the body. Multiple studies have shown that acupuncture can have a positive effect on Alzheimer’s disease, improving both mood and cognitive skills.
Aromatherapy is based on the theory that essential oils, derived from plants, are beneficial to health and well-being. Some evidence shows that aromatherapy may help facilitate relaxation in people with dementia, and that certain oils may have the potential to improve cognition in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Try experimenting with lavender, peppermint, rosemary, bergamot, lemon balm, ylang ylang or ginger oils with your loved one. Oils can be inhaled, applied sparingly to skin (be sure to dilute with a carrier oil and do a patch test first to avoid allergic reactions), or diffused through a reed diffuser or oil burner.
Bright light therapy, or exposure to full-spectrum lighting throughout the day, has been shown to be a beneficial treatment for sleep disturbances associated with dementia. It can also help improve cognition. On sunny days, spend time outside with your loved one or open the shades in your home. On grayer days, use a full spectrum sun lamp or brighter artificial light throughout the house.
Massage therapy can increase body awareness and alertness, as well as reduce feelings of disorientation and anxiety in people with dementia. It’s often used in conjunction with aromatherapy to help stimulate the senses. You might try giving your loved one a hand massage using an essential oil they enjoy—diluted with a carrier oil, like grapeseed or jojoba oils, of course.
Music provides a way for people with dementia to connect with the world, even after verbal communication has become difficult. A number of studies show it can help maintain cognitive functioning and boost brain activity in the early stages of dementia, and can even spark compelling outcomes in the later stages. Listening to certain songs can even help spark memories. Try experimenting with a mix of songs both familiar and unfamiliar to your loved one and take note of how they respond.
Pet therapy can bring pleasure and reduce agitation in people with dementia. Animals are non-judgmental by nature, making them ideal companions for people with dementia. It’s even been shown that dementia patients eat more following the visit of a therapy animal. If you don’t have a pet in your household, consider bringing your loved one to spend time with a friend or family member’s pet, or you could make a visit to the local animal shelter.
As with any course of treatment, the process here will likely involve some trial and error—your loved one may respond wonderfully to some treatments and not as well to others. Whatever the case, be sure your loved one continues to see his or her doctor, and that you keep their doctor informed of any new treatments you’ve introduced or are considering. With some persistence and an open mind, you’ll help your loved one find the combination of treatments that works best for his or her unique needs.
If you’re interested in learning more about alternative therapies, I’m leading an educational presentation, “Holistic Treatment for Memory Care,” at the Fairfield Woods Branch Library in Fairfield, CT on Monday, Oct. 17 at 6:30 p.m.
If there is a topic you would like Alicia to discuss, please send suggestions to [email protected].