Introduction to Creative and Sensory Therapies for Alzheimer's Disease

Activities directors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals,here is some great information

Here is a great dementia resource for caregivers and healthcare professinals,

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by Christine Kennard

Enhancing the Lives of People With Dementia
All societies value creativity and creative expression. When someone has brain damage as the result of a disease like Alzheimer's, many of their skills change and decline. As Alzheimer's disease progresses, caregivers have to explore new ways to engage with people who have the disease. In this article, I have put together a list of activities that can enhance a person's creativity and other abililties, and if you have a helpful activity you would like to share, please do so (see below.)

Aims of Creative and Sensory Activities for People with Alzheimer's:
•to promote wellbeing
•to help maintain skills
•to use other senses to aid communication by using sensory rather than cognitive pathways.
•to maintain and enhance relationships
•for relaxation
•to utilize past skills
•to express emotion
•to facilitate decision making
•As a means of cooperating with others

Let's Look at Some Activities With Links to More Information
There are many activities that use our creative skills. One of the interesting things about using creative skills is that often people who had skills in an area, such as painting or sculpting, often seem unable or unwilling to explore them further when they have a chronic illness such as dementia. New creative and imaginative activities have to be explored.

Sensory activities are well established for people with Alzheimer's. Aromatherapy and massage is a good example.

Reminiscence Reminiscence refers to....read more tomorrow