Understanding the Needs of Individuals with Dementia: Focusing on the Present Moment

Nora Müller, a former kindergarten teacher affected by dementia, participates in a music therapy program at Waid Hospital in Zurich. Despite her restlessness, the therapist employs engaging methods, like rhythm activities, to connect with her. As the demand for personalized care for dementia patients grows, nursing experts emphasize understanding their perspectives. Innovative approaches are being explored in healthcare settings, including creating supportive environments and tailored activities, all aimed at enhancing the quality of life for these individuals.

Nora’s Journey Through Music Therapy

Nora Müller, a vibrant and well-groomed woman in her fifties from Appenzell, once dedicated her life to teaching kindergarten and sharing her love for singing. Today, however, she is affected by dementia. A relative brings her to the outpatient music therapy program at Waid Hospital in Zurich, where she joins other patients to listen to music, sing, and play the drums.

Despite the engaging atmosphere, Nora struggles to remain seated, frequently getting up to head for the door. Whether it’s a bathroom break or a desire to return home, her inner restlessness is evident. Therapist Antoinette Niggli recognizes this challenge and hopes that with time, Nora will become more involved in the music-making process.

Understanding the Needs of Dementia Patients

As the number of elderly individuals with dementia continues to rise, nursing scientists are exploring ways to enhance the quality of care. In her work, therapist Niggli hands Nora two wooden sticks, and with a smile, Nora starts keeping the beat to the music. Yet, moments later, she heads for the exit again. “You’re not running away,” Niggli gently reminds her, and with some encouragement, Nora returns to the group.

According to nursing expert Sabine Hahn from the Bern University of Applied Sciences, it’s common for patients in nursing homes to express a desire to go home. Caregivers strive to accommodate these feelings, even when they cannot fulfill them. For instance, when a patient packs her bag to leave, staff may suggest a coffee break first, providing a temporary distraction from their travel plans.

Hahn explains that modern nursing approaches emphasize seeing the world from the patients’ perspectives. This shift helps to mitigate conflicts and allows for more individualized care, moving away from rigid schedules that can seem impersonal. The greatest challenge remains keeping patients engaged and occupied, a sentiment echoed by surveys from patients, families, and caregivers.

Before attending music therapy, one patient’s husband shares his concerns about the monotony of life in the nursing home. He takes his wife, who is also known by another name, to Waid Hospital weekly. While there, Cornelia appears mostly unresponsive, staring blankly until the therapist gently moves her hand to the rhythm, sparking a brief moment of joy as she moves her fingers in time.

The need for tailored activities is clear, as demonstrated by previous attempts at entertainment, such as a video installation simulating a train ride. Although designed to engage restless patients, the initiative met with limited success, highlighting that each individual has unique preferences and needs.

In her music therapy sessions, Niggli expertly connects with patients by playing songs that resonate with their pasts. Whether it’s a French chanson for a former Parisian resident or nostalgic scout songs for another, the therapy provides something special for everyone involved.

Caring for dementia patients requires immense patience and empathy, which nursing scientists continue to study. Researchers at the University of Bern aim to measure the actual care time required for these individuals as well as explore necessary adjustments in healthcare settings to support the growing demographic of dementia patients.

Within hospitals, where dementia patients may find themselves disoriented and confused, efforts are being made to create more accommodating environments. Research at Lindenhof Hospital Bern involved redesigning patient rooms to be “dementia-friendly,” using color-coded walls and recognizable caregiver identifiers to ease patient anxiety.

The results have been promising, with participants experiencing less stress and caregivers enjoying a more manageable workflow. Hahn emphasizes the need for hospitals to adapt to the aging population and their specific requirements.

In music therapy, the focus remains on the patients and their immediate experiences. While it can be difficult to gauge the long-term impact of these sessions, the joy shared during interactions is palpable. As one patient humorously notes her reason for attending, laughter fills the room, reminding everyone that even amidst challenges, moments of connection and joy can prevail.

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