Maybe it’s ironic—or maybe it’s fitting—but it’s kind of amazing how many memorable things can happen in a memory care community, where residents are experiencing Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Dan Hass can testify to that. Dan, who served as executive director of Overlook Green Senior Living, a Five Star assisted living and memory care community in Pittsburgh, PA, saw it happen time and time again in a weekly Bible study group he ran for Overlook Green residents.

There was the one night he handed his Bible to a resident, an elderly gentleman. The man, who happened to be a former pastor, had advanced dementia, a condition that had left him unable to speak coherently. Prior to that night, no one had heard this kindly resident utter a single sentence.

The man opened the Good Book—and began to read. “The Lord is my shepherd,” he began, reciting the famous first passage of Psalm 23. “I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” The man continued, finishing with, “and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Then a second memorable thing occurred. The man closed the Bible, looked up and began to preach in his preacher’s voice. He spoke of the Old Testament and the New, righteousness and holiness, the strength of faith and the need for humility and to remember that, as the 23rd psalm teaches, we never have to feel alone if we believe.

“As soon as he opened the Bible, he became a pastor again,” recalls Dan, marveling at the memory. “We don’t know exactly what dementia does to the brain, but something about studying the Bible seems to light a spark. It’s always amazing to see how someone’s faith can be recalled even in the midst of memory loss. All of those moments are unforgettable to me.”

Helping Residents Connect Through Faith

Dan began the Bible study group about five years ago as a way to connect with residents outside of his usual role running the community—and as a way to practice his faith. It’s not uncommon for older adults to become more spiritual as they age. “I came to know the Lord about 12 years ago,” says Dan, who grew up Catholic. “That Five Star supported my starting the group says a lot about the company and its commitment to finding ways to help residents feel connected and letting team members ply their own creativity.”

As many as 10 residents have met every week for most of the past five years. The group Dan started is an example of how Five Star team members go beyond their professional roles to get to know residents personally, the better to meet their needs. In Dan’s experience, Bible study seems especially well suited to connecting with people who have dementia. “They’ve gone from a lifetime of activity to limited activity because of their dementia,” he says. “But God can still reach them.”

He recalls another resident, a woman who rarely communicated but who suddenly announced one night to the group, “I pray every night for all our residents and Five Star team members.” Another woman, whose dementia was advanced, could recite Psalm 23 word for word from memory, Dan says. He notes that another woman, who was nonverbal and seldom ventured outside her apartment, would come to Bible study accompanied by her son. Dan points to that as an example of an extra benefit of the group: that of connecting with families. “It means a lot to families when they see that this gives their loved ones such a lift,” he says.

“This is just what I needed”

Despite any limitations resulting from their dementia, the memory care residents who attend the Bible study group are not shy about expressing what their participation means to them. “A typical comment I hear is, “This is just what I needed tonight!” Dan says. He can understand how his group members feel, he adds. “There are some nights where I’ve had a long day and I think, ‘Where will I find the energy to lead the group tonight?’” But he has always found the residents inspiring and his fatigue falling away. “It energizes me,” Dan says. “It is so rewarding.”

Discover New Connections

Are you or a loved one seeking a new community where the vibe is energizing? Find a Five Star Senior Living community near you. We’d be happy to give you a tour!

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Finding meaningful activity for adults with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia helps make the days feel productive and purposeful. It improves self-esteem and gives a sense of independence. Gardening is one such activity.

Gardening reaps many health benefits, especially for people with a memory impairment. Planting and nurturing flowers and vegetables calms the mind while boosting the spirit. Gardening also helps the senior maintain core strength and balance, both of which are key for preventing falls.

Gardens that stimulate the senses through aromatherapy can be of special interest to adults with dementia. These are known as sensory gardens.

How to Plant a Sensory Garden for Dementia Patients

Aromatherapy has long been used in memory care communities as a tool for elevating mood, increasing appetite, improving sleep, and more. Sensory gardens can offer similar benefits. The smell of roses and peonies can be a reminder of pleasant times. Many find the texture of herbs like rosemary or lavender soothing to touch.

Sensory experiences like these can trigger memory centers in the brain. It may help the senior reconnect with memories the disease has stolen. If you aren’t sure how to start a sensory garden, this step-by-step outline can be useful:

1. Find a space: A sensory garden doesn’t have to be very large. You can even set one up in containers on a porch or patio. Just make sure the spot you choose is secure and accessible for your senior loved one. A location with neighborhood distractions might encourage wandering, so keep that in mind.
2. Monitor light: Watch the area you’ve designated for your garden to see how much and what type of light it receives in a typical day. Is it in direct sunlight? Or is it more on the shady side? This will determine what types of flowers and vegetables will thrive in your sensory garden.
3. Choose plants: Once you know how much shade or sun your garden will receive, you can start choosing what goes there. You and your senior loved one can search online to find fragrant flowers and herbs or enticing vegetables. Once you have a list, make sure each plant isn’t toxic if ingested.
4. Invest in good soil: Inexperienced gardeners may underestimate the role soil plays in a thriving sensory garden. A garden center is usually the best place for advice on local soil conditions. Call one near you to find out what you need. If your sensory garden will be planted in the ground versus in containers, call your county extension offices to inquire about soil testing. They will ensure you are planting in good dirt or offer suggestions for amending the soil.
5. Purchase plants safely: If you are trying to avoid crowds or new places to reduce overstimulation or confusion, find a local greenhouse or garden center that offers curbside pickup. You may also be able to have the plants shipped directly to your doorstep from an online nursery.
6. Read plant markers: A marker with directions is typically included with each plant. Make sure you save and follow the directions for each type of plant. It can help you and the senior determine how often to water and fertilize.

Depending upon the climate you live in, a sensory garden can encourage more quality time with your older loved one.

Memory Care at Five Star Senior Living

Gardening is just one of many activities you’ll find at Five Star Senior Living communities across the country. If you are searching for memory care for a senior in your life, we invite you to consider Five Star Senior Living.

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It’s heartbreaking to watch a senior loved one with Alzheimer’s disease lose their memory and struggle with daily activities. Tasks such as getting dressed or eating can become a challenge.

But when a loved one with Alzheimer’s becomes agitated, it’s especially difficult to deal with. If you don’t have any medical or senior care training, you may be at a loss about what to do.

Understanding some of the main causes of Alzheimer’s-related agitation can help you minimize anxiety and angry outbursts by avoiding stressful situations.

And if you can’t prevent a difficult behavior completely, at least you will be better prepared to manage it.

5 Reasons a Senior with Alzheimer’s Gets Agitated

1. Fear or fatigue

Older adults with Alzheimer’s live in a scary, unfamiliar world. The fatigue that comes from trying to understand their surroundings often causes agitation.

By creating a calming, distraction-free atmosphere most of the time, you may be able to decrease some of the agitation your loved one feels.

2. A break in routine

It’s hard enough for someone with Alzheimer’s to understand their everyday world when things around them remain stable. A break in routine—even seemingly positive changes like a visit from friends—can cause agitation.

To prevent agitation in these situations, explain in advance to your loved one what’s happening.

Whether it’s a trip to the doctor, a visit from the grandchildren, or a family celebration, remind your loved one what’s happening, what they can expect, and that you’ll be with them through it all. You may need to repeat this over and over depending upon how great their memory loss is.

3. Perceived threats

People with Alzheimer’s often become agitated when they perceive a threat. And what we view as normal could be seen as a threat to someone with Alzheimer’s.

To minimize this risk, strive for a stress-free, calming environment. Avoid too much noise, or even “loud” colors and patterns, which can cause agitation.

If your loved one perceives a threat, don’t try to invalidate their feelings.  Instead, tell them it will be okay and that you will stay with them until they feel better.
Speak in calming tones. Ask how you can help. You might also distract your loved one with an easy chore or some light exercise.

4. A change in caregivers

Any change can cause agitation in someone with Alzheimer’s. But one of the most disruptive changes relates to caregiving. Changing caregivers removes someone the senior has grown to trust and rely on, and introduces a new person. This is tough for a person with memory loss.

If you think about a toddler with separation anxiety, it’s easy to understand what a senior with Alzheimer’s may be feeling when a new caregiver joins the family. Consider making a slow transition to the new caregiver, and expect some agitation until your loved one settles into the new routine.

5. A change in location

There is, perhaps, no change more jarring for a senior with Alzheimer’s than a move—especially a move from a lifelong home.

Moving your loved one into a memory care community, staffed with experts trained to manage agitation and other Alzheimer’s symptoms, can ease the transition. From moving day to the weeks following, the staff will ensure your loved one feels safe and protected, while also caring for their daily needs.

Change is one of the most common causes of agitation, but a move to a Five Star Senior Living community doesn’t have to create anxiety for your loved one. Contact our expert team for advice on making this transition go smoothly.

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Family members often say one of the greatest emotional struggles Alzheimer’s disease presents is finding ways to protect their loved one’s dignity. As the disease advances, the senior loses the ability to care for themselves. They may not recognize that their hair is a mess or they need a shower.

Struggling to find the right words can cause a senior with dementia to withdraw. This may cause friends and family to treat them differently or give up trying to communicate at all.

For family members, watching the decline of a beloved elder can be painful. Families can take certain steps, however, to make sure visitors and health professionals interact with the senior in ways that protect their self-esteem.

Protecting Dignity and Promoting Self-Esteem

1. Don’t allow the senior to be treated like a child.

When verbal skills and short-term memory are impaired, a senior may be unable to retain new information and carry on a conversation. People they encounter might unconsciously use language or a tone that is patronizing. It’s important to gently intervene and not allow the elder to be treated like a child.

Also, replace words like “diaper” or “bib,” with kinder words such as “brief” or “clothes protector.” Don’t talk about or allow others to talk about the older adult in front of them. Even if the senior can’t respond verbally, it’s important to include them in conversations.

2. Remind people of your aging loved one’s story.

The senior is more than their diagnosis. It might take reminding people of their story to keep that in perspective. When friends and family visit, share the senior’s highs and lows in life, and how they overcame adversity.

Talk about what the older adult’s hobbies were in younger days, and what they like to do today. Shining the spotlight on their remaining abilities instead of their losses may help people see beyond the disease.

3. Encourage and support independence.

There is a saying among dementia-care providers that the more you do for an adult with dementia, the more you take away from them. Allowing a person with dementia to maintain as much of their independence as possible is important.

Because your family member’s capabilities may fluctuate from day-to-day, you will need to be flexible. Allow them to attempt to do as much as they are able to at any time. Be patient, and step in to help only when it’s needed.

4. Be a patient, kind listener.

When it comes to dementia, entering the world of the person with the disease is important. That includes watching and listening with true empathy. It can be tough to do sometimes, especially when you are busy and words don’t come easily for the senior.

The same is true when visitors or outsiders are involved. For example, if the senior has a doctor’s appointment, encourage the staff to include the senior in conversations. Step in if your loved one is struggling and you sense their self-esteem is suffering.

Memory Care at Five Star Senior Living

Memory care communities help adults with dementia live their best life despite the disease. If you are beginning the search for memory care, we have some tips. Five Star Senior Living is one of the nation’s leading providers of memory care. Contact us to learn more or to schedule a private tour at a community near you!

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<!–[CDATA[When a senior loved one has Alzheimer’s disease or a similar form of dementia, their family caregiver may have difficulty structuring the day with meaningful activity. As physical and cognitive abilities become impaired, it can be more challenging to find activities for adults with dementia to enjoy. But it is important to the senior’s mental well-being to find ways to help them feel productive and empowered.

If you are caring for a senior with Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia, this information will be helpful.

Routine Helps Empower Adults with Dementia

Creating a structured daily routine helps an adult with dementia feel successful. That’s because having scheduled activities makes it less necessary for the adult to remember things. For adults with dementia, short-term memory is often lost early in the disease process.

Routine is also beneficial for reducing the anxiety and agitation that adults with Alzheimer’s often experience. The senior knows what to expect each day and takes comfort in the feeling of independence that this knowledge provides.

Creating a Daily Routine for an Adult with Dementia

Here are a few suggestions Alzheimer’s caregivers can use to create a productive daily routine for a loved one:

• Structure: Try to establish and stick to a daily routine. Have specific times each day for getting up, going to bed, eating meals, taking a walk, and running errands. This structure helps to promote independence and self-esteem for adults who are struggling with memory. That’s vital for a person with dementia who is typically at an increased risk for depression.
• Daily chores: When a person who has dementia has daily chores to complete, they feel more like a productive member of the household. Create a list of chores your loved one can do or assist with such as, folding the laundry, dusting the living room, sweeping the kitchen floor, and setting the table before meals. During warmer weather, they might benefit from the responsibility of watering container gardens on the patio.
• Life enrichment: Alzheimer’s often robs people of their verbal skills in the earliest stages of the disease. This can lead to frustration, loneliness, and even depression. A few suggestions for meaningful activities at home include art and music. Art allows people with Alzheimer’s to express themselves in nonverbal ways. Incorporating music into the daily routine is also beneficial. People with Alzheimer’s often maintain the ability to sing favorite songs long after they have lost their ability to speak. Sing-alongs, painting, knitting, and scrapbooking are just a few ideas to try.
• Physical fitness: Working physical activities into the senior’s daily routine is also beneficial. It promotes better quality of sleep, while also reducing stress and anxiety. Chair exercises can be safe and enjoyable, and help to build strength, balance, and endurance. When the weather is nice, you could take short walks together or even enjoy a nature stroll at a local park. Bird-watching is another idea. It incorporates fitness with stimulating brain activity. Be certain to have a GPS bracelet or pendant for your loved one to wear in case you are separated.

It’s important to remember that the positive feelings generated by productive days linger long after the actual memories of the day are lost. That’s what allows people with dementia to live their best quality of life.

At Five Star, we take a holistic approach to daily life. Through our Lifestyle360 program, we offer activities that target each of the five dimensions of wellness. Contact the community nearest you to learn how we help residents with dementia live their best life each day.