For Assisted Living Residents With Dementia, Quality of Life Improves With Personalized, Mindful Care

A study in the Journal of Applied Gerontology found assisted living communities can improve the quality of life for residents with dementia through personalized care, reports Medical Xpress . Essential to improving their quality of life is getting to know them as individuals, meeting people "where they are," being in the moment, and perceiving all interactions with residents as opportunities to connect. Through interviews and observations involving 33 assisted living residents with varying forms of dementia and functional ability levels, the researchers determined that actively "listening and observing verbal and non-verbal cues were keys to connecting and meeting residents on their own terms." They urged caregivers to try to involve all residents in activities, and avoid assuming that people with dementia cannot enjoy activities simply because they may be unable to respond in the same way as other residents. "COVID-19 highlights the importance of meaningful engagement for everyone, especially for persons living with dementia," added Georgia State University Professor Candace Kemp. "Doing things that are enjoyable and being engaged to the extent possible and desirable are significant for quality of life and quality of care."