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Bring Joy to Someone
With Alzheimer's
By
Beverly Moore |
 Q
– What are some things I can do to bring joy to my husband’s
life now that he has Alzheimer’s?
A – What a great question! Joy is exactly what we
want to bring to the person with Alzheimer’s disease. It is
known that when cognitive ability declines, the person with
Alzheimer’s becomes more tuned into his sensory world;
seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling and touching. Much
pleasure is experienced when he doesn’t have to think; just
feel and enjoy. Emotional memory is not affected by
Alzheimer’s disease. Providing a positive emotional
experience is a wondrous gift to him.
How do you do that? Recall what brought him pleasure in the
past. Was it water sports, gardening, building, cooking that
made the day enjoyable? Replicate the sensory experience of
those activities. Perhaps being at the ocean will conjure up
pleasurable memories of sailing. Smelling flowers in a
nursery can be a lovely way of remembering the days of
gardening. Going to a bakery and sampling something hot out
of the oven can remind a person of the joy of cooking. The
smell and sound of wood being cut is a delight to some past
builders. Try some of these. You’ll be amazed at the
results.
Does your husband enjoy being touched? Offer a gentle touch,
always making eye contact first so he doesn’t misunderstand
your intentions. Some people don’t like touch. Then perhaps
humming or singing softly while doing tasks with him will be
soothing.
People with memory loss I’ve encountered surprise me at
times with the emotional response I receive when I made it
my business to appeal to their senses. Singing while
dressing a person can make the experience less frightening
for them. Bathing can go easier if the caregiver is
expressing joy, humming or softly singing. You’ll be happy
with the relationship that results from appealing to the
emotional rather than the cognitive side of him. That part
of him is still there.
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About The Author
Beverly Moore is owner of StilMee™ The leader in
Alzheimer Coaching, a company exclusively dedicated to
educating, empowering and supporting care partners through
the journey of Alzheimer’s caregiving. Stil- Mee coaches are
available for in home coaching in Massachusetts including
Cape Cod and northern Rhode Island. Telephonic coaching is
available anywhere in the United States. For more
information, you may visit Beverly’s web site at
www.StilMee.com. Beverly is also author of the book Matters
of the Mind…and the Heart, Meeting the challenges of
Alzheimer Care, published by Advantage Media Group.
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