There are numerous different types of dementia therapy available to sufferers of the condition, but there is often much debate as to which work better than others. Here we look at three rather unique dementia therapy techniques that have been used around the world successfully.
1) Dance therapy
One technique used around the world is that of dance as a way to help those with dementia. While dance may not be able to do things such as restore memories, it has been shown that dance may help ease problematic behaviours such as agitation, as well improve connections with loved ones and society as a whole.
Over in the Delaware Valley in America, dance programs to aid those with dementia have proven very popular.
75-year-old Lee Wright from Delaware Valley explained that the dance therapy classes to help his dementia are “Some kind of wonderful.”
Mr Wright attends his week-long dance therapy classes every Thursday, which he attends with 15 other dementia sufferers who feel the therapy is doing wonders for their overall quality of life.
2) Homes of the past
Over in Singapore, care homes are seeing success with reminiscence therapy rooms. These rooms are designed to be reminiscent of houses found in the 1950’s and 60’s, while also including vintage items such as gramophones, crockery and sewing machines.
These rooms hope to allow dementia sufferers reconnect with their own pasts, in the hope it helps jog an individual’s memories of their life as it was in the past.
Senior consultant Adeline Chuo from Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s Department of Geriatric Medicine, who is involved in the project said that: “The room creates a familiar environment that keeps patients calm… It makes the life of carers and patients more pleasant and more manageable”.
83-year-old Madam Tan Swee Hiang has used reminiscence therapy rooms for the past few months. She says her favourite part of the room is a glass cabinet filled with items including old coca cola bottles and bus tickets.
“I remember using bus tickets like these to travel to work,” she said.
3) Animal therapy
Animals have also been proven to be useful tools for dementia therapy. When tested with on dementia patients, people have claimed to have noticed reduced levels of stress and anxiety and improved social skills when spending time with animals.
Evidence shows that even with only 15 minutes of bonding with an animal, a chemical reaction occurs in our brains that lowers the levels of cortisol while increasing the levels of serotonin, which can help lower one’s heart rate and blood pressure.
Usually, dogs are the prime animal used for dementia therapy, but animals such as cats and rabbits are also sometimes used.
However, a care home in Gloucester, England, became famous last month for its use of an unusual animal in animal therapy. Instead of a dog, cat or rabbit, this care home experimented with penguins with much success.
88-year-old Georgina Dowling, who is a resident at the care home in Gloucester, said that: “I think the penguins coming here today is wonderful. I have really enjoyed it”.
”I really enjoy the variety of activities that we have here. I remember the first time I saw penguins at Chester Zoo, but wasn’t this close to them.”
If you or a loved one are suffering from dementia, get in touch with Dementia Caring today. Their trained team of professionals are experts in their field and, regardless of the level of homecare you require, they’ll have a package to suit you. Get in touch for your free needs assessment today.
