Promoting Well-Being from a Distance

Now that everyone’s lives have been turned upside-down, maybe we can understand the experience of people living with dementia a little better. By now, we all should be able to empathize with feelings of insecurity, confusion, and disorientation as our normal routines are replaced by unfamiliar experiences and challenges. Unfortunately, just as our empathy may be catching us up, people living with dementia are experiencing the challenges of this new situation in even more impactful ways.
I have often said that the two biggest enemies of people living with dementia are isolation and inactivity. Unfortunately, the imperative to practice social distancing and even sometimes self-isolation runs exactly counter to what is best for them. For this reason, memory care professionals are pulling out all the stops looking for ways to keep people productively and happily engaged during periods of physical distance.
In these efforts, the most important thing is to take a person-centered approach. Everyone has different needs, preferences, interests, and emotional triggers, so support efforts must be tailored to each individual. In times of stress, we all rely on familiar coping mechanisms and resources built up over a lifetime. Knowing the people whom we support allows us to provide the things they need to cope, find meaning, and even thrive when usual routines are disrupted.
For example, Mrs. Sheldon is a social butterfly who feeds on positive contact with others. To meet her need for connection during self-isolation, she uses an iPad with an open video connection to “hang out” with her favorite neighbor several doors down the hall. Meanwhile, Mr. Jordan meets his need for purpose by assembling bracelets that will later be sold for donations to the Alzheimer’s Association. These examples reflect how we need to find new ways to help people meet their basic human needs when the ordinary channels are temporarily closed.
Technology can be our best friend in such times. At Oakmont Senior Living, we are using headphones and transmitters from Eversound to keep our residents connected and engaged from a safe distance. Karaoke, trivia games, exercising, listening to music and audiobooks are all possible with this powerful engagement tool. We are also using tablets to facilitate calls and even parties for residents with multiple family members in attendance. As we adjust to these new circumstances, we will add more tools to support our residents’ well-being and independence.
New challenges bring struggle but also opportunity. A global pandemic will never stop people living with dementia from expressing their wisdom, caring, and humor. We can find hope and joy in the little moments of connection that continue to happen every day in memory care neighborhoods across the world. These moments provide refreshment and renewal to continue looking for ways to support the well-being of the people for whom we care.
For more information on senior living please contact Oakmont of Santa Clarita at 661-295-2025 or visit our website at www.oakmontofsantaclarita.com.