What do you think people with dementia have that we don’t? An interesting question we think you will agree. Here are some thought-provoking examples.

Letting go: There can be a release from the small anxieties and rigidities that often consume us. While emotions and persistent anxieties remain, there can be a greater ability to move on from things that might seem significant to those without dementia.

Living in the moment: In a world where we spend so much time dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, people with dementia often inhabit the present moment with a clarity we strive for through mindfulness and meditation.
Saying what they think: Unfiltered honesty that can emerge, which, while sometimes challenging, can also be incredibly freeing.
Freedom from a sense of duty or responsibility: A potential release from societal pressures.
Taking things at face value: What you see is what you get.
A different perception of the world: Seeing through the eyes of someone with dementia gives a different perception.

People living with dementia possess unique perspectives and abilities. The capacity to be fully present, to let go of certain anxieties, and to perceive the world in fresh ways are gifts we can learn from.

Exploring the Power of the Moment: Finding Our Own Flow

Think about activities that make time disappear for you – gardening, knitting, running, a captivating book. These are moments when we enter a state of flow, a deeply absorbing and enjoyable experience.

In our work, facilitating flow for people living with dementia is a significant goal. While supporting communication and language skills is vital, enabling individuals to become fully engaged in an activity, losing themselves in the process, is equally important.

The Formula for Unlocking Potential: Research, Understand, Essence, Arena

To help guide us in fostering this potential, we introduced a simple formula:

Research: This involves speaking with family, friends, and those close to the individual to understand what truly brought them joy and made their hearts sing in the past. Even if their interests have shifted due to dementia, understanding their history provides valuable clues.
Understand: This step focuses on gaining a person-centred understanding of how dementia is currently affecting the individual. This includes considering challenges with language (aphasia), comprehension, dexterity, and other potential symptoms.
Essence: Here, we delve into the core elements of the activities they once enjoyed. For example, if someone loved knitting but now has arthritis, is the essence the act of creating a finished product, or is it the repetitive motion and the feel of the wool? For gardening, is it the grand outcome or the sensory experience of touching the earth?
Construct a New Arena: This final step involves creating new activities that retain the essence of what the person loved, but are adapted to their current abilities and interests. For the knitting example, this might involve winding wool. For gardening, it could be simply feeling different types of soil or arranging cut flowers.