Memory Bouquet Club

August Newsletter

“Redefining Dementia one person at a time”

Healthy Mind, Healthy Life

The Power of Socialization for Your Brain Health

“Community”

Community: “A feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests and goals.” (credit: Oxford dictionary)

Did you know that socializing impacts us in more ways than you might think?

  • Boosts our mood and feeds our brains

  • Helps build self esteem, a sense of belonging and value

  • Builds communication and decision-making skills

  • Helps us to gain the ability to see ourselves through the eyes of others and better understand how we fit in this world

  • Builds meaningful relationships and a network of support

So make some plans and embrace some people!

To get started consider the following:

  • Shop at family-owned businesses and get to know the owners

  • Get to know people through visiting the library

  • Go for walks - greet people or start a conversation along the way

  • Volunteer with local organizations or help a neighbor

  • Be intentional about setting dates to meet up with friends and family

Are you struggling to communicate with your person living with dementia?

Tips on Socialization and Communication

  • A person living with dementia needs to feel included and valued even when they cannot express it

  • Avoid drawing attention to memory deficits with responses such as “Don’t you remember? or “I already told you that” Provide a trusting and supportive relationship by assisting with calendar use or written reminders to decrease the need to repeat yourself

  • Enjoy meaningful conversation with the person over a meal or coffee. Share about exciting upcoming events or meaningful past experiences

  • Learn to recognize the cause behind unwanted behaviors and seek to proactively meet the persons need. Rather than “No Dad, get away from the door” try “would you like to go outside? How about if we take a walk after lunch?”

  • Calm and caring responses reassure the person of your best intentions and result in positive emotional mirroring

  • The person may not remember you or the content of your conversation, but they will remember how you made them feel

    “Socialization Boosts My Well Being!”

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Overwhelmed as a dementia caregiver?

Join our FREE 6 weeks Quality of Life improvement program in collaborative research with the University of Florida

Wednesdays from 12:00 - 1:00 pm beginning September 11 - October 16

Sign up before August 31st! Limited spots!

Servicing the Community through:

  • Private Consults

  • Virtual Consults

  • Healthcare and First Responder Partnerships

  • Legal Support

  • Educational Seminars

  • Exclusive Partnership with Concierge Home Care

  • Public Speaking

To learn more, visit our website:

Botes Memory Method offers a FREE downloadable Botes Quality of Life Tool for Caregivers! (BQOL-T) Click below to download the file for your use. (Please do not remove the Botes Memory Method copywrite logo / trademark)

BQOL-self-scoring.pdf133.44 KB • PDF File

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