Media Centre

Working together to fill the emptiness of dementia

Publish Date: 12/07/2007
Author: Marketing & Communications Department

Dementia clients of Baptcare’s Southern Community Aged Care program are set to have their senses pleasured and their minds stimulated through the gift of ‘activity aprons’ from a local craft group.

The activity aprons are used as part of Baptcare’s Community Aged Care program, and are designed to reduce agitation and disruptive behaviour in elderly people suffering from dementia.

“Lack of meaningful activity for a person with dementia can lead to boredom, feelings of emptiness and behavioural problems, which in turn places large amounts of stress on family, friends and carers,” Baptcare’s Chief Executive, Jeff Davey said.

“The activity aprons provide sensory, cognitive and physical stimulation for our clients who may otherwise be withdrawn and agitated” he said.

The aprons are custom made to suit a person’s cultural and lifestyle background and can include soft fabric, beads, zippers, pockets, buttons, shoelaces, strings and ribbons.

To assist Baptcare with the time and cost involved in creating the aprons, a local craft group from Blue Hills Retirement Village offered to make the aprons free of charge. Baptcare’s Diversional Therapist and Care Manager attended the craft groups to provide advice on the needs of individual clients.

The aprons have made a difference to the lives of many people suffering from dementia.

CASE STUDY

When Wilma* developed dementia, she began to exhibit signs of severe behaviour change.

Every morning Wilma would sit at the kitchen table and lift up the hem of her skirt and place it on the table. She would then bend over the material, looking closely at it as she proceeded to run her fingers along the hem. Wilma also began undressing herself during the day and walking around in her underwear.

When Baptcare’s Diversional Therapist conducted an assessment on Wilma, it was discovered that Wilma used to work as a Tailoress. Wilma’s behaviour of undressing was related to conducting client dress fittings, and picking up the hem of her skirt was explained by Wilma as “I’m sewing a dress”.

Armed with this knowledge, the Diversional Therapist provided Wilma with an activity apron complete with zips, buttons, lace, ribbons and bobbins.

The apron proved to be an instant success with Wilma as she now had something to pick up and ‘sew’. The apron also provided prompts for Wilma about her life, giving family, carers and friends an opportunity to communicate with her. The apron was used by Wilma until the day that she died.

Baptcare is a not for profit organisation that provides in-home care for the frail elderly across metropolitan and regional Victoria, many of whom are suffering from dementia.

*Name has been changed to protect privacy

Media Release