It is indeed possible for people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other age-related dementia to lead full, enriched lives. It just takes forethought and creativity—and some committed, creative Best Friends™.
As a certified Best Friends Environment, Touchmark at Mt. Bachelor Village draws on the proven practices pioneered by Virginia Bell and David Troxel, who wrote The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer’s Care. One of the authors’ tenets is that the art of activities is “not in what is done; it is in the doing.”
“This approach is the treatment program for a disease that has no cure,” says Memory Care Administrator and Life Enrichment/Wellness Director Angela Stewart. “Team members act as the residents’ start button to achieve quality of life through meaningful activities,” she explains, adding they begin by focusing on being a Best Friend and knowing the interests of each resident.
“Touchmark’s Full Life Wellness & Life Enrichment Program for people living in memory care neighborhoods is just as varied and robust as it is for those living elsewhere on the campus,” says Stewart, who oversees the Program for the entire community.
“The team working in memory care makes sure that residents’ days are filled with purpose, fun and relationships,” Stewart emphasizes. Recent activities include:
• Volunteerism: Making/delivering dog biscuits for the Humane Society of Central Oregon, making necklaces/painting a mural for the chimpanzee sanctuary, making/delivering cookies for Bethlehem Inn.
• Exercise: Throwing balls, dancing, walking, stretching, lifting light weights, playing with Hula-Hoops, bowling.
• Home/office/self-care: Folding laundry, sweeping, filling bird feeders, dusting, shining shoes, typing, simulating a former occupation.
• Arts: Participating in an intergenerational choir, writing poetry, planning/performing a talent show, sewing, drawing, sculpting, making gifts, painting, drumming.
• Outings: Visiting the library, going on a picnic, eating at restaurants, visiting a farm.
• Cooking: Making pies, cookies, and popcorn balls, creating root-beer floats, holding an ice cream social, dipping strawberries and pretzels in chocolate.
• Spiritual: Watching live church services online, praying, discussing topics, singing.
• Social: Telling stories, talking over coffee, enjoying high tea, celebrating holidays/birthdays/anniversaries.
Fun with a SMART Board
Touchmark’s SMART Board makes it easy to incorporate technology into daily activities. Stewart explains they use the board for reading, playing games, working on brain-building games (e.g., simple math games, spelling bee, and Pictionary), watching movies/church services and learning.
“We have been traveling the world through Google Earth, watching YouTube videos, reminiscing and exploring different subjects,” says Stewart. “Recently, we started studying sign language, and residents are very engaged in this activity.”
Stewart also says family members Skype and send emails and pictures.
As dementia diseases progress, memories fade. But moments of joy remain—and become paramount. Residents living in Touchmark memory care neighborhoods can attest to this … they enjoy a full life each day.
To learn more, visit www.TouchmarkBend.com or call 541-383-1414.
Best Friends, an industry-leading approach developed specifically to care for people with dementia, is a trademark of Health Professions Press, Inc.
