1. An Alternative Resource Guide for Caregivers
Making Connections
An Alternative Resource Guide for Caregivers
Based on the Book Touch The Spirit: Connecting to the Inner World of Dementia

2. Spirituality and Dementia
Is there more to life than what we can see?
“Spirituality are those capacities that enable a human being to rise above or transcend any experience at hand. They are characterized by the capacity to seek meaning and purpose, to have faith, to love, to forgive, to pray, to meditate, to worship, and to see beyond the present circumstances.” Forrest, 2013

3. The Human Spirit is…...
A distinct entity that is “separate from the flesh and blood body the outside world recognizes”. Forest, 2008
A part of the person with dementia remains present and ready for interacting with the outside world.

4. “Speak to the heart and the spirit will hear what is being said”.
Creating connections with the “spirit” of a person with dementia will open doors to new ways of communicating.
The heart has “ears”!
“Speak to the heart and the spirit will hear what is being said”.
Forrest, 2013

5. Soul Strings
“You will find joy if you are willing to search for the strings that connect to the soul”. (Forrest, 2013)

6. Ways to Connect to the Inner World of a Person with Dementia
Ask questions
Opens pathways to old memories
“Back in the day” conversations
Music
Touches the threads of emotion & memory that can’t be reached in other ways.
Painting & Drawing
Valuable tool for communication, memory retrieval and confidence building
Images trigger memories
Promotes sharing
Storytelling
Jogs the memory
Promotes creativity and non-judgmental self-expression

7. Connection Between Art & Dementia
Signs & Symptoms
Effect of Art Therapy
Memory loss
Difficulty performing familiar tasks
Problems with language
Disorientation of time & place
Poor or decreased judgment
Problems with abstract thinking
Misplacing things
Changes in mood or behavior
Changes in personality
Loss of initiative
Memory not required or old memory still intact
Simply create
No language needed for art
Time/place not relevant
No judgment or abstract thinking necessary, just doing
Necessary materials provided
Simply express themselves
Elevates mood, focuses attention, distracts, calms & relaxes
Engages, allows expression

8. Caregivers are Heroes
Those who have done the impossible often didn’t know it was impossible when they did it! – The Prophet of Life (Forrest, 2013)

9. Coping Techniques for Caregivers
Let someone help you with your caregiving tasks.
Get a handicap sticker/card.
Take yourself out for some “Retail Therapy.”
Eat some chocolate.
Go somewhere quiet and have a good cry!
Eat a nourishing meal everyday.
Let someone else clean your space.
Get a good night’s sleep.
Let some things go.
Give yourself some TLC
Stay connected to others.
Use humor and remember to laugh.
Manage family drama.
Stay on top of Legal and financial documents.
Keep a journal.
Honor your work, your accomplishments and accept and honor that your are a true hero.

10. More Coping Ideas Grieve the losses/celebrate the assets
Loss is a normal part of the dementia process
Some days will be better than others
Grief is an important part of the healing process
Emotions have power
As long as you hold on to anger, the anger will hold its power over you
Get anger out in the open and deal with it in a constructive way
Create new memories
Tomorrow is always a “new day”
Learn to let go

11. Remember to recharge your soul, but above all, remember to treasure the moments when you were able to make that special connection with the inner spirit of your loved one. These are the moments that will live on!

12. References
Forrest, D. A. (2013). Touch the spirit: Connecting to the inner
world of dementia. Jasper, Ga: Butter Lamp Books.