The use of pharmacological interventions for dementia excludes at least 50% of everyone diagnosed with dementia, and until very recently, researchers, service providers and the medical community have offered NOTHING to those of us where medication is not available. Thankfully, the tide is turning.
On Sunday night Christine Bryden featured in a story about dementia on Channel 7, A Dementia Breakthrough, discussing her success at fighting – and currently beating – the symptoms of dementia, which was not only highlighted but at long last, believed and applauded. She presents well still, even although I know she is paddling much harder.
This has given me the courage to re-present the non pharmacological and positive psychosocial interventions I employ almost daily to delay the progression of the symptoms of dementia, and over the next few days or weeks, I will elaborate on them more where possible. They fill up a lot of my days, and I consider them the ‘Olympics training of my life’. So far, it seems to be working.
Non pharmacological and Positive Psychosocial Interventions for dementia:
- Advocacy and activism
- Studying
- Phenomenology
- Neuroplasticity brain and body training
- Neurophysiotherapy
- Exercise 6 days/week – walking, Pilates and stretching
- Authentic Brain Injury Rehabilitation
- Hydrotherapy
- Speech Pathology
- Occupational Therapy
- Blogging
- Creative writing
- Poetry
- Healthy nutrition – especially avoiding processed sugar
- Supplements
- Music therapy
- Mind Mapping
- Volunteering
- Laughter and humour
- Spiritual
- Love
- Reading
- Belief
- Transcendental Meditation, 20 minutes 3 times a day
- Self Hypnosis for pain relief to reduce any negative cognitive effects of medication
- Family time
- Nurturing friendships
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Reblogged this on Dementia Caregivers Blog – Hope and Harmony – .
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Loved the post. What could we do to bring in a comprehensive practice and learning schedule into the lives of those who need it?
Shakti
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Something for me to think and then maybe write about… thank you also for joining the conversation here.
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Great post. We continue to pray for a cure.
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Thank you Tersia.
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Kate – I found this post of yours by wonderful accident. I’m printing it out for my neurologogist (if you tell me that’s okay). He follows me on a regular basis as I’ve had 4 serious traumatic brain injuries and of course we already know that’s a marker for early on-set dementia. Your blog has become a life-line of information for me and what an inspiration you are. I missed the pencil trick – I’m late to the party. Thank you so much for sharing your life with us.
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Of course it’s ok to print off for your neurologist… the more we work on being healthy, brain-health included, surely the better outcome we will have??? I just introduced the pencil trick to my parents, and we have been laughing ever since!!
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What a great list Kate … really comprehensive. I can tell you are such an independent person 🙂
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My dh would call that an understatement… 😉
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This is a wonderful post, Kate. So pleased you have found this fab list of activities and therapies that are helping you maintain brain function. It looks like a very healthy list for ALL of us to dip into and do many of these things as they sound like the recipe for stimulation and contentment. I’m sure our mutual friend Larry Gardiner will be interested in this.
Keep blogging. Keep enjoying life Kate. Who knows, these could be the commandments for dementia /brain health in the same way as my pal @nurse_w_glasses commandments for mental health workers? 🙂
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thanks Gill… and have you tried the pencil trick I mentioned on twitter yet?!
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