How do I engage my mum with dementia?

Answered by Kate, caring for her mum with dementia

What I tried…

• I used Montessori principles to develop activities for mum. Montessori is a way of teaching and learning used with young children – but it can also be applied to older people with dementia.
• Our first project was to make templates for setting the table. Montessori uses templates in many different ways in the classroom – and you can do so in the home too! (For instance, the world map puzzles have templates in varying degrees of detail in order to help the children learn geography)
• We made place setting templates with mum because she likes to set the table but does not remember where the items go. This involved tracing cups, forks, knives, and glasses onto fabric. We had to help mum with some of the tracing, but she liked the colouring in, and is using the placemats now to help us set the table most nights.

What I thought about…

I had to challenge the view that people with dementia can’t learn new things or participate in meaningful activities. Not all the activities I’ve tried have worked, but I don’t let that discourage me. Not all activities work with your kids, either.

A bit about me & my caring situation…

I’m a Unitarian Universalist Minister who cares for my mum with advanced dementia. I’ve written a blog with more activities you can try.