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 connecting with community.
Regular social interaction is key to a healthy, happy life. However, when your loved one is diagnosed with dementia, they often feel a range of emotions — fear, loss, worry — that can cut them off from friends, family and the community at large.
Depression and anxiety are also common symptoms of dementia, which can make it difficult for your loved one to easily interact with others. But studies have shown that social interaction improves cognitive functioning as well as confidence and self-worth for people with memory loss.
Volunteering
Just because your loved one’s circumstances have changed doesn’t mean they can’t give back in meaningful ways. Websites like Volunteer Match and The Corporation for National and Community Service can be great places to start when looking for volunteer opportunities because they let you tailor your search to your loved one’s interests. It’s important for your loved one to remain connected to beloved activities in order to maintain their identity and sense of self. And when they volunteer, they’re helping fight the stigmas associated with memory loss. Residents at Bridges by EPOCH volunteer at local soup kitchens and host bake sales, car washes and other fundraisers to support causes they care about. Organizing and participating in these projects lets them maintain their independence and allows them to feel a sense of accomplishment for engaging in work that makes a difference — consider helping your loved one conduct their own volunteer project so they can reap these same benefits!
Organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association and the Dementia Society of America have offices and events throughout the country that are in need of volunteers. Both you and your loved one can make a direct impact when volunteering with these organizations because of your personal experiences with the cause.
Groups
Connecting with a group gives your loved one the chance to find a social circle where they’re comfortable and feel understood. Support groups can be an excellent option for people living with dementia, as well as their caregivers and/or family members, and memory cafés provide a space for people living with memory loss and their caregivers to enjoy various activities and socialize with others navigating similar journeys. There are also memory loss-related meetup groups and memory clubs throughout the country that provide a safe space for your loved one to ask questions and share their experiences. Bridges by EPOCH communities also host monthly caregiver support groups and memory cafés.
Special events
Communities often put on events throughout the year — art shows, musicals, flea markets, farmer’s markets, etc. These are great times for your loved one to meet neighbors and make new friends. Your city, county and neighborhood websites should feature event calendars with activities going on all year. Bridges by EPOCH communities also host events throughout the year that are fun and fit for all! Check out the event calendar of a community near you to see what’s coming up.
Dementia-specific events are also beneficial because they can give your loved one the chance to be an advocate. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is something you can share with your whole community. Ask friends, family members, neighbors and colleagues to sign up and walk with your team. And at the annual Meeting of the Minds Dementia Conference, you and your loved one can connect with people from all around the world and gain a wealth of knowledge and resources.
Helping your loved one stay active and connected to the community will give them a sense of purpose, self-worth and accomplishment. This in turn gives you, the caregiver — as well as other family members and friends — peace of mind. And, with volunteering and other forms of community service, many local organizations directly benefit as well. I’d say that’s a win for all.
If there is a topic you would like Alicia to discuss, please send suggestions to [email protected].