Activity-Focused Care Melanie Chavin, MS Vice President, Program Services Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter

Objectives Introduce the basic components of activity-focused care: Focusing on strengths and abilities Viewing every interaction as an opportunity for meaningful engagement Utilizing a positive approach to care Provide tips and information about how to promote this approach in long-term care settings

What do you think of when you hear the word “activity?”

Activity-Focused Care: Is an approach, not a program Is focused on individual interests – not “one size fits all” Is flexible Is concerned with quality interactions Is not necessarily focused on traditional activities Is not necessarily led by activity staff Takes into account remaining abilities and strengths rather than losses Views every interaction as an opportunity to connect

It’s an approach, not a program It’s not as much about what you do, as how you do it Think “interaction,” not “activity” Takes naturally occurring events and turns them into opportunities for engagement This approach doesn’t come naturally to everyone; not everyone has the “knack” (so choose staff wisely)

Focus on the individual Avoid “one size fits all” thinking and planning Focus on the person, not on the condition Don’t make broad assumptions about the interests of older adults Don’t make broad assumptions about what people with dementia can or cannot do – you may be surprised

Flexibility Flexible structure / go with the flow We need to look at the world through the eyes of the person with dementia rather than expect them to see things our way Document the need for flexibility – plan for it, expect it BUT... Don’t use flexibility as an excuse not to plan or anticipate needs

Quality interaction This is the heart of activity-focused care Staff, volunteers should interact frequently and meaningfully with residents Pay attention to nonverbal communication Create interaction centers – places where interactions may naturally occur (artwork, objects, animals, photos, etc.). Don’t assume that all staff/volunteers know how to “do” small talk - some people need encouragement and practice

Non-traditional activities How much of your life do you spend in large group activities? Think about smaller groups, and 1:1 interactions Contrived activities vs. naturally occurring interactions Focus should not be on only pre-scheduled, contrived activities, but also on spontaneous opportunities for interaction Look carefully at scheduled activities – do they reflect the interests, needs and strengths of the residents?

Activity-focused care is everyone’s responsibility Administration should take the lead in communicating the importance of this approach, and should model it All staff should be encouraged to interact positively with residents All staff should be taught to understand dementia and how it affects the ability to communicate/reason At its heart, this approach is about being kind to people with memory loss and taking the time to get to know them as individuals

Abilities and strengths The key is to focus on what a person can do, not on what he can no longer do Everyone has talents and strengths, even with a diagnosis of dementia – tap into them Recognize that people with dementia can and do develop new interests “Life doesn’t stop when Alzheimer’s starts”

Every interaction is an opportunity to connect Compliments Looking at residents and smiling Acknowledging people by name Engaging people in small talk (and in full conversations) Putting yourself in that person’s shoes Treating the person as you would want to be treated

Resources Pioneer Network: Eden Alternative: Alzheimer’s Association: Books: Alzheimer’s disease: Activity-Focused Care by Carly Hellen Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer Care by David Troxel and Virginia Bell Dementia Reconsidered by Tom Kitwood