Memory Care Activities
December 14, 2024
Memory Care Activities
• The benefits of music therapy in memory care
• How art therapy supports memory and emotional well-being
• The positive effects of pet therapy on residents
As someone with a family member living with dementia, it can be overwhelming to figure out what type of support is most helpful, where to seek assistance, and which methods truly work.
What are you hoping to achieve for your loved one? What will make a difference in their care and happiness? And where can you find trustworthy resources to guide you through it all?
Caring for someone with dementia often feels like navigating a maze of unclear options, where the right solution isn’t always obvious. What works for one person might not work for another, and our brains respond to different activities in unique ways. What engages one individual might not have the same effect on someone else.
Having spent years working in memory care, most recently at Windchime of Marin, a premier memory care community located in Kentfield, CA, I’ve witnessed how specific activities can significantly impact those living with dementia. While any activity is better than none, the key question is: which activities are most effective? And how do you handle situations when someone refuses to participate? The journey can be complex and confusing, with no one-size-fits-all answer.
Take music, for example. In my experience, it has the most powerful impact on people with dementia. If you gather a group of individuals and put them in front of a large TV to watch a movie, they may stay engaged for a short time, but eventually, they’ll lose interest or get up and leave. Following a movie can be difficult for them.
However, when you bring in a live musician, playing almost anything, the transformation is remarkable. People sit up, engage, and become fully absorbed in the music. It may not always be obvious at first, but with careful observation, you’ll see the difference. At Windchime of Marin, we ensure that music is always playing throughout the day, whether it’s pop, classical, or something else. The important thing is that the music is present. It energizes and revitalizes people, whether they have dementia or not.
Our activity director places a strong emphasis on art therapy for people with dementia. Art is an effective way to stimulate the creative side of the brain. While I’m not an expert on brain science, my experience has shown me how art and music can keep the brain engaged and active. Whether it’s coloring or painting, art allows residents at our memory care community to express themselves in ways that are meaningful to them. The satisfaction they feel when creating something is incredible. Though they may have difficulty expressing their excitement verbally, their joy is clear to everyone involved. We display their artwork throughout the Windchime of Marin building to encourage continued creativity and engagement.
Now, let’s talk about the impact of pet therapy. There’s something truly special about seeing a friendly dog enter a memory care community. The excitement and joy that Windchime of Marin residents experience when they see the dog’s adorable face is heartwarming. Dogs, as we all know, are incredibly loving creatures. They form deep bonds with humans, and when your loved one is living in a memory care facility, it can be disheartening to think they may never experience that kind of joy again. But visit with a dog, and you’ll see the difference. It’s amazing and uplifting.
I’ve witnessed moments where a resident, who no longer speaks and rarely reacts to others, suddenly sits up with focus and happiness while petting one of the visiting dogs. How could they not? Dogs are so freely affectionate, and the residents love them in return. It’s an emotional experience to see how the residents respond and how much joy they get from the visit. If you have a dog and want to make a difference for someone in a memory care community, I encourage you to visit and ask if you can bring your dog. I’m sure they’ll be grateful and thrilled by the visit.
Gary Forer
Windchime of Marin
(415) 482-4100