Promoting independence of people with dementia

Dijana Lukić

Administrator
Staff member
Organisation
ZDUS - Zveza društev upokojencev Slovenije
Table of contents
  1. Giving voice to people with dementia
Keywords
  1. Independence and engagement
  2. Creative activities
  3. Dementia inclusive societies
Can people with dementia have their say?

After being diagnosed or developing signs of dementia, questions of person’s further involvement and engagement comes up. Energy should be directed to living well with dementia. The dementia journey should be joyfully, with opportunities for people to identify themselves as they see fit, expressing their preferences, interests and needs.

Giving voice to people with dementia is about creating opportunities, recognizing their full potential, focusing on what they can do, rather on what they can’t. On society’s level this means building dementia inclusive societies. On an individual level it means participation in meaningful activities to stay connected and socially engaged.​

Adult educators have an important role in showing ways how to give voices to people with dementia. Here are some examples:

Real life example of giving people with dementia a chance to sing and engage in joint activities with others. Music and singing are used as a stimulation tool to improve the quality of life, focusing on celebrating the potential of people living with dementia.​

DEEP is an independent network that brings together groups of people with dementia, encouraging them to speak about issues important to them. One such group is based in Manchester and they are called Fabulous Forgetful Friends and they say they are “Living Well – Despite Dementia”.

Can people with dementia have their say?

After being diagnosed or after developing signs of dementia, questions of person’s further involvement and engagement arise. Dependency on family members, carers, health workers or legal representatives develops in the late stages, but meanwhile energy should be directed to living well with dementia. The dementia journey should be joyfully, with opportunities for people to identify themselves as they see fit, expressing their preferences, interests, needs and in general participate in positive experiences.

As an adult educator your role is to promote giving voice to people with dementia. You can do this by including them in your workshops, recognizing their full potential, focusing on what they can do, rather on what they can’t and giving them space to share their experience on living with dementia. On social grounds this contributes to building dementia inclusive societies where people with dementia have a place. On personal grounds it contributes to their participation in meaningful activities to stay connected and socially included. Being part of something where they can be heard and present can bring great benefits for their well-being. The latter is especially important for people with dementia living outside care facilities, as they have less opportunities compared to people in care homes with daily organised programmes.

You should demonstrate to your learners the benefits of giving voices to people with dementia in different ways and in different areas. Here are some examples of activities to show:​
Real life example of giving people with dementia a chance to sing and engage in joint activities with others. An initiative that provides organizations with the needed help to start choir singing with people with Alzheimer’s and their carers, using music and singing as a stimulation tool that improves the quality of life, focusing on celebrating the potential of people living with dementia.​


DEEP – Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project is an independent UK network that brings together several groups of people with dementia, encouraging them to speak out about issues important to them and not about issues other people see as important for them. One such group is based in Manchester and they named themselves Fabulous Forgetful Friends and they say they are “Living Well – Despite Dementia”.

Giving voice is about creating opportunities for people with dementia to feel valued and included, leaving behind the limitations and bringing out the personal characteristics. Don’t be afraid to ask them if they want to be part of your lecture and share their experience! Don’t just presume they wouldn’t be interested.

To know more about how to give place to people with dementia refer to the MYH4D “Be connected” MOOC, Module 4 - Inclusive Community Focused on People Living with Dementia.​

Have your say:
Do you know any examples of giving voice to people with dementia in your community?
 
Last edited:

Jan

New member
Certainly check this link of the choir 'The Betties'. They performed as support act of MUSE in 'het Sportpaleis' with the song 'Follow me'!!

 
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