For people with dementia, winter can bring new challenges, as routines are disrupted, there’s less sunshine and less time spent outside.
But dementia experts say there are ways to help combat the loneliness and isolation. New activities and engagement can create new routines, and one group of New England facilities is trying out a new way to give their residents some autonomy this winter.
It’s important that families are aware that there may be behavioral changes as the season changes, said Michael Tubbs, a senior director of lifestyle engagement at Benchmark Senior Living. Benchmark is headquartered in Waltham and has more than 60 facilities across the Northeast.
“Depression can severely impact people living with dementia, and it can actually exacerbate their signs of their dementia and show — almost like a delirium — that their dementia has progressed, when really it hasn’t,” Tubbs said. “When you have a fully engaged day, you’re less likely to be depressed.”
Benchmark has recently rolled out so-called Inspired Spaces through their assisted living facilities. Throughout the Waltham memory care unit, which has 29 residents, are a variety of areas with colorful signs with an invitation to engage and make a choice: pick a book to read, play an instrument, pick a fruit for a snack. It’s all meant to give residents a sense of agency as opposed to rigid schedules and group activities.
In the nature nook, there’s a bird-watching station, and a garden wall that invites residents to arrange their own floral bouquet. There are also spaces to give them a sense of purpose and accomplishment: an area where they can fold napkins, and a space where they can take a broom and sweep.
“Having that sense of purpose and meaning in life is really important. And I think as caregivers, we want to do so much for them, but being that care partner and allowing them to do that for themselves gives them that identity and that purpose back,” Tubbs said.
On a recent Tuesday morning, 96-year-old Joan Poirier was folding socks with her son Chip, who is 72 and visits her at least twice a week. Folding and organizing the socks give her a sense of purpose, Chip Poirier said.
“It occupies her mind, occupies her time,” he said. Poirier also cared for his father, who had Alzheimer’s and died 11 years ago.
“Dementia is a devastating disease. Devastating. Not only for the residents. But for the caregivers as well,” he said, pausing to wipe tears away. “Dad’s been gone 11 years. I still cry about it. That’s the disease, you know, and that’s what happens to people.”
The spaces, which include a game corner and exercise room, also give families a way to enjoy a shared activity together when communication gets difficult. Poirier is glad it gives family members a way to connect.
“They still smile, they still like to have surprises, they still like to do things when possible, and I’d like to see that continue,” Poirier said.
As the holidays approach, Jahanna Smith, area director of memory support services at Benchmark and an occupational therapist, said that families should be open to holidays not looking like what they used to, and that physical activity can help.
“Wintertime is hard. There’s less light,” she said. “We’ll get more movement during the day. Getting as much natural light as possible and try to preserving that circadian rhythm, that can be really helpful.”
