When a family receives a dementia diagnosis for their loved one, they often immediately start to seek answers. What can be done to help their senior loved one stay as independent and fulfilled as possible and retain their sense of self? Luckily, there are many options available to seniors with dementia when it comes to care plans.
At Terra Vista, we’re committed to the best possible care for our residents with dementia to ensure the highest quality of life, no matter how advanced their diagnosis is. One particularly effective method that we incorporate is therapy – specifically, music, yoga, and art therapy for dementia. These types of therapy are just as important and effective as more traditional therapies like occupational or physical therapy and hold an important place in each of our residents’ care plans.
How Do These Therapies Help Residents with Dementia?
But how can these unique types of therapy help our residents enjoy the highest quality of life? Here are 10 benefits they bring to the table when it comes to treatment.
- Cognitive function: Yoga, music, and art therapy for dementia all stimulate different parts of the brain. These activities require both concentration and memory recall, which can help residents improve their mental clarity and agility. These types of therapy can help to encourage cognitive function and also slow the progression of memory loss over time.
- Reduced stress and anxiety: Anyone who practices yoga can vouch to the fact that over time, it can reduce anxiety and stress. Both art and music have the same effect, reducing cortisol (the stress hormone) levels in the body. Art therapy can be particularly helpful to dementia residents who want to express emotions but are frustrated by their inability to verbally communicate. Soothing or familiar songs in music therapy can help residents feel calmer and more secure. Overall, these three therapies are quite effective at helping residents feel less anxious and stressed.
- Motor skills: Using tools to create art – whether through painting, drawing, sculpting, or crafting – encourages the use of fine motor skills as well as dexterity. This can be extremely beneficial to residents who need to maintain or improve their motor skills when experiencing memory loss. Music is also excellent for motor skill retention when residents play instruments, and the rhythmic movements of clapping and dancing help improve coordination.
- Emotional well-being: Did you know that engaging in creative and physical activities actually boosts endorphin levels? This release of “feel good” hormones into the body results in higher levels of overall happiness. Residents who participate in yoga, music, and art therapy for dementia can experience better moods and overall improved emotional well-being.
- Social interaction: Yoga, art, and music therapy all encourage social interaction with both other residents and staff in our community. Group activities give residents a chance to connect with one another and experience a sense of community, which can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.
- Sense of purpose and achievement: When our residents engage in regular yoga, music, and art therapy for dementia, they experience structure in their day-to-day living. This sense of structure and purpose improves overall quality of life, giving them something unique to look forward to each day. Further, as residents continue to participate in these therapies and improve their skill sets, complete projects, and meet goals – like learning a new song or finishing a painting – they feel a sense of achievement and pride.
- Communication skills: Some dementia residents are unable to verbally communicate, which can lead to frustration and a sense of isolation. Both art and music therapy can help to ease this stress. Creating art helps residents visually express their feelings in a safe way, and music allows for expression of emotion as well. Further, when residents participate in group activities it allows them to connect with other residents and practice verbal communication.
- Memory recall: Music and art are also powerful when it comes to memory recall. Listening to or playing certain songs can trigger memories for residents, and so can creating art. This helps residents to reconnect with their past and recall special memories, which in turn helps to strengthen their sense of identity and improve quality of life.
- Creativity: Not only are creative activities like art and music enjoyable for residents, but they also provide an outlet for expression. Residents can convey their emotions, thoughts, and memories into new mediums and have a sense of creative satisfaction at the end of the day. As noted, this type of expression is particularly helpful for residents who have difficulty communicating verbally.
- Quality of life: Yoga, music, and art therapy for dementia patients ultimately can greatly enhance the quality of life for residents experiencing memory loss. At Terra Vista, we strive to use a person centered approach each and every day to ensure our residents retain a sense of dignity and high quality of life level.
Explore Therapy Options for Your Loved One at Terra Vista
If you’re seeking more information about how yoga, music, or art therapy can help your loved one who’s been diagnosed with dementia, contact us at Terra Vista today or download a brochure for more information. We’re here to help your loved one find the quality of life they deserve.