Living with Dementia
A Young Onset Dementia (YOD) diagnosis is given to an individual diagnosed with Dementia before the age 65 years old. There are currently over 800 people living with Young Onset Dementia in Hertfordshire, the current youngest being diagnosed in their late 20's. At present, Cathartic provide the only service primarily focussing on YOD in Watford and Three Rivers. This program provides age-appropriate, creative, and stimulating activities tailored to the needs, abilities, and interests of both the service users and carers who are participating. . Creative activities are a powerful way to engage individuals with dementia, stimulate their minds and memories and promote relaxation and well-being. The art sessions increase social interaction and communication between service users and carers that will provide a healthy diversion from discussions on care and medical matters. The work created, combined with the fun, social aspect also help to create an uplifting atmosphere for all. Sessions include work around the following:
1. Reminiscence activities: Encouraging individuals to talk about memories and experiences , looking at photographs or old mementos and creating art work from these
2. Art Activities: Painting, drawing, colouring that are soothing and stimulating for individuals with dementia.
3. Music Therapy: Listening to music or singing can be a powerful way to stimulate the mind and promote relaxation. We sing songs together, play musical instruments and listen to familiar music from the person’s past.
4. Storytelling: Encouraging individuals to tell stories about their lives
5. Sensory activities: Sensory activities such as playing with textured fabrics, smelling different scents, or exploring objects with different textures and shapes can be stimulating and engaging
6. Reminiscence boxes: Create a box of items that are meaningful to the individual, such as photographs, mementos, or favourite objects, using these stimuli to encourage conversation.
“The sessions really improve my wife’s and my wellbeing. Each session is imaginative and well thought out. We have produced pieces of work together which I will treasure and never dreamed we could have done. When my wife is in your group, it is the one place where she reverts back to the lady I first fell in love with: she is sociable, confident, loving. It is like the dementia leaves her when she walks through the doors. For me, participating in the creative activities is a welcome distraction from my day to day worries and have not found any other activity so successful at grounding me in the present. The sessions therefore provided a welcome period of freedom from the stress and anxiety which was so beneficial.
They also provided an incentive to get out of the houseand the opportunity to meet and enjoy the company of a lovely group of people who are in similar life situationsand so create an understanding, empathetic and comfortable environment which is also fun.”