There’s a newer way to help treat dementia patients and the programs are emerging in the Bethany Cochrane seniors’ facility.
Dementia residents in the organization’s care are now able to participate in an art program – Opening Minds with Art (OMA), which is one of a variety of touch-see-smell therapy programs available at the centre.
“One of the best practices around the care of dementia patients is what we call sensory therapy,” explained Nancy Hughes, vice-president and COO.
“Sensory therapy can be anything from art to music therapy, to pet therapy. This is really something that’s emerging in the dementia care world.”
The OMA program started in September and Hughes said it’s had a positive impact on the residents.
“The response from our residents has just been amazing and I think it’s really touched the staff a lot too,” Hughes said.
“There is a change in (patients’) demeanour, their level of engagement we see,” she said, adding that it does vary patient to patient depending on what stage of dementia they are at.
“I think that it’s been something very different – a unique approach – to the care we provide at Cochrane,” Hughes said.
Though the OMA program is the latest sensory therapy program, other aspects of hands-on treatment have shown an improvement in the patients’ quality of life.
Sharon Guphrie, the wife of one Bethany Cochrane dementia resident, said her husband is particularly stimulated by the weekly music sessions.
“My husband can be quite distracted, but with the music part, he’ll sit and listen and even sing along at times,” Guphrie said.
“Every once and a while, someone there goes to play the piano before supper, and everybody is singing along, and that’s just a spontaneous thing.”
At times, the dementia residents will participate in the baking – Guphrie recalls aids helping him peel apples for a cake.
Another tool is a muff with an interior lined with various materials patients can touch and feel.
“He has one called the ‘pup muff’ and he will not part with it. I have to negotiate to wash it,” Guphrie said with a laugh.
Though the sensory program for Guphrie’s husband is just part of a full-scale treatment including medication, it has offset the more troubling aspects of the disease.
“Unfortunately … my husband is deteriorating and he’s been through a few difficult issues,” Guphrie explained.
“But those kinds of things (sensory program initiatives) are very comforting and we’re seeing more of it and how that can be soothing for them,” Hughes said.
The Bethany Cochrane will be displaying the art, created by dementia patients, from the Opening Minds with Art program at the end of the month.
