Lake Solitude Media, LLC

Free Report, Continued

a captive audience – just because a patient will watch a given program, doesn’t mean it is beneficial,” she cautions. “Look for genuine interest, smiles, laughter and other positive responses – and you should be able to easily retell if it is having a calming or relaxing effect.”

Make It interactive

In conjunction with a patient’s television viewing, the caregiver should promote interaction and involvement – challenge his or her existing abilities by making conversation, asking questions or suggesting activities.

“I tell families to get involved in the therapeutic process; the television isn’t as effective when it’s used as a babysitter,” explains Winklowsky.

Caregivers can help the patient focus on the screen or bring their attention to what is happening. They can also talk about what is on the television and use it as a reminiscing or discussion tool.

Winklowsky advises caregivers to occasionally interject comments and questions at appropriate times – but keep them “in the moment.” Don’t ask, “Remember when we saw fish like that on our vacation in Hawaii?” Try instead, “I think I would like to be able to swim with those fish, how about you?” followed by a discussion on swimming.

You can assist patients who have trouble communicating by helping them find interesting words or phrases. You might say something like, “Isn’t it great the way those eagles soar?” You can can also help the brain compare two things with comments like, “Those fish are as colorful as a rainbow in the sky.”

"Sometimes, when dancers are performing, I stand beside the TV and mimic what they are doing - then I ask the patient to join me and we talk about what the experience feels like," Winklowsky says.

Make It Yourself

Another way to get involved is to "create" your own TV programs. For example, put on a nature video, then turn down the sound and play music that is soothing or enjoyable for the patient - classical, new age, romantic ballads and instrumentals work well for this. Friends and family can help out by videotaping favorite programs for viewing at a time that would benefit both patient and caregiver (such as mid-afternoon), when some dementia patients get anxious.

Family caregivers can promote reminiscing by having old home movies converted to video. Or they might make a new video for the patient with greetings from friends or grandchildren at play with favorite pets. However, these personalized videotapes will not work with all dementia patients, Winklowsky cautions, and should only be tried if it will be a positive experience for the patient rather than a depressing one.

"Taping favorite programs or filming a video are things family and friends can do to participate in the caregiving experience,” says Winklowsky. It's also a good way for siblings, children and grandchildren who live far away to feel connected.”

Video Resources

There are several companies that produce videos specially for the dementia patient. Innovative Caregiving Resources offers 12 entertaining videotapes that simulate a personal visit and prompt conversation, singing or light activity; contact the company at (800) 249-5600. In addition, Lake Solitude Media has created a series of nature videotapes with relaxing background music; call (307) 473-2566 for more information.

Winklowsky advises that with any professionally-made dementia videotape, the caregiver should watch it with the patient on the first time through. "You want to see that it is appropriate for the individual and reinforce that it's okay to talk back and enjoy yourself," she says.There are many outlets for regular videos that would be appropriate for the dementia patient. Retail stores sell movies and classic TV programs, but catalogs generally offer a wider selection.

Here are a few catalogs you might want to try:

Captain Bijou (205) 837-0049

Critic's Choice Video (800) 544-9852

Discovery Channel (800) 222-6105

PBS Home Video (800) 645-4127

Public Television VideoFinders (800) 799-1199

Finally, special-interest catalogs offer videotapes on airplanes, ships, trains, automobiles and other hobbies; check out the one from Pentrex featuring railroad videos by calling (800) 950-9333.

The John Douglas French Center for Alzheimer's Disease opened in 1987 and was the first facility designed and built exclusively to care for Alzheimer's patients.

Visit the John Douglas French Alzheimer's Foundation at:

http://www.jdfaf.org/

The John Douglas French Center

for Alzheimer 's Disease

3951 Katella Ave.

Los Alamitos, CA 90720

(562) 493-1555

Copyright 1997 John Douglas French Center for Alzheimer's Disease

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