Purple Thumb Club
Nurturing Growth in Dementia Care
October 2020
In the last issue, the White Rock journey was described. It was summarized by saying letting go of “what was” and embracing “what is” will provide connection and meaning to both the person with dementia and those that care for them.
A person with a Purple Thumb knows what the person with dementia CAN do and creates opportunities to utilize these strengths. As I watched my Dad, I created the first “I CAN” list for him in 1995. The idea has been shared at many workshops , with staff and with many families. It is part of every life story assessment that I complete. Creating the “I CAN” list involves understanding the brain that remains in Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementia. As you read Ted’s list, what are the types of things he can do?
Ted’s “I CAN” list looked like this…
I can’t read a book or a magazine anymore….BUT I can read the headlines when you hand it to me.
I can’t play bridge or cribbage anymore…BUT I can sort a deck of cards or maybe match pairs
I don’t remember solids or stripes when playing pool…But I can hit the ball when you remind me
I can’t remember the steps to fix my coffee or remember to get it…BUT I can stir it when you give it to me
I can’t have a garden anymore BUT I can pick pretty flowers and smell them
I can’t remember the score of the baseball game…BUT I can cheer for a home run!!
I can’t follow the conversation at the dinner table BUT I can look at familiar pictures
I don’t know what day it is BUT…I can smile and say “Good Morning”
I can’t tell you about my college football games, BUT I can still kick it when you give it to me
I can sing, I can dance, I can pat a kitten, I can sort, I can sweep, I can rake, I can pick up trash.
Give me the opportunities to do the things “I CAN”
By identifying preserved abilities, activities can be created and adapted to provide meaningful interactions. The following list will guide you as you create the “I CAN” list for your loved one or the person with dementia that you assist. Observe and note abilities in each of these areas, then create the opportunity. If tearing is an “I CAN,” then offer activities that use that skill such as tearing newspaper for animal shelters, tearing tissue paper for art projects, ripping up old mail, tearing strips of cloth for braiding.
Physical movement and “Body memories” such as being able to
- Walk
- Sweep
- Rake
- Dance (what steps?)
- Kick
- Clap
- Rub
- Pat, press or stamp
- Fold
- Cut
- Tear
- Stir
- Shake
- Pick and place
- Write
- Color or paint
- Pour or scoop
- Imitate movements
Rhythm and music memories such as
- Singing lyrics, finishing titles and first lines
- Repeating rhythmic patterns and sounds
- Drumming
- Swaying and moving to tunes
- Tapping
- Humming
- Playing an instrument
- Dancing to familiar tunes
Creative and Imaginative strengths “feeling and beauty memories”
- Telling stories
- Expressing a feeling
- Commenting on a painting
- Appreciating beauty/art appreciation
- Telling a joke, laughing
- Expressing through color with paint, crayons, paper, shapes
- Listening to poetry
- Connecting to objects in the environment/birds/clouds/flags/trees/sunsets/weather/sky/sunset
Communication and “social norm “memories
- Responding to social interactions with others
- Smiling
- Shaking hands
- Waving
- Showing compassion and love
- Demonstrating nurturing and caring
- Looking at pictures
- Making a yes/no response
- Participating in spectator activities
- Participating in “life activities” meals, coffee group, party
- Making gestures of friendship and caring
Procedural memory “habits and routines memory” and “autobiographical memories”
- Reading a sentence (font size 30)
- Reading words
- Spelling and letter activities
- Recalling historic and geographical information/landmarks
- Watching TV or a movie
- Repetitive activities such as
- Opposites, go-togethers, cliches, Bible passages, nursery rhymes, states and capitals, math facts, advertising slogans
- Reminiscing of important early life events
- Doing habitual leisure and hobby movements and actions (sewing, piano, basketball, golf, pottery)
- Matching activities/color/words/pictures
- Sorting activities/household/leisure/cards
- Looking at pictures and photographs
- Enjoying and nurturing pets
- Cooking, food preparation and mealtime routines (use templates)
- Worshipping and church related activities
Sensory Memories
- Smelling a pleasant scent (vanilla, coffee, lemon, leather, cookies, bread, lavender)
- Feeling soft textures, holding comfort objects
- Hearing familiar sounds and music
- Seeing soothing lights/bubble lamps
After reviewing this list of possible strengths, write your own “I CAN” list and continue to nurture growth in dementia care.