A Change in Approach Changes Everything: A Dementia Story
As an Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator at The Lutheran Home: Belle Plaine, Amy Pautsch spends time each day inviting and bringing residents to a variety of activities and events, which consists of carrying out a routine with each resident: Knocking on their door, asking if they want to join, and escorting the resident to the activity space.
Every day, Amy would invite Greta* to join her fellow residents. Most of the time, Greta’s answer was no, so she spent most of her day looking out the window in her room.
Then Amy changed how she approached Greta.
“Instead of asking Greta to join, I would engage her by asking her to help with an activity or attend as a guest participant,” shared Amy. “Now Greta says yes more often than no. Watching her interact with my team and the other residents brings me such joy.”
Amy now notices that Greta spends more time outside her room, even asking her if there is anything she can do. Greta is feeling valued and needed. Having a purpose and a feeling of accomplishment is huge for all of us, especially those suffering from dementia.
*Resident’s name has been changed upon request.