Dementia is a difficult disease that affects most people differently, making treatment plans individualised to each case. While there isn’t a cure for dementia, there are several medications and non-drug therapies, like cognitive stimulation and occupational therapy, that can help manage symptoms. The effectiveness of these treatments varies between recipients.
Person-centred dementia care often includes complementary therapies as well as traditional treatments, which may also be able to help physical and psychological symptoms. There are several complementary therapies for dementia patients, which we’ll explore today.
What are complementary therapies in dementia care?
Complementary therapies are those intended to be used alongside traditional dementia treatments within a person-centred dementia care plan. Dementia affects people differently, so it’s essential for carers to focus on the individual rather than their disease.
Trying various complementary therapies helps the person experiencing symptoms, their loved ones and carers learn more about their needs and preferences. This helps build an accurate care plan tailored to how your loved one wants to be cared for, rather than focusing on how dementia should be approached.
Complementary therapies are often more enjoyable treatments that can manage symptoms such as restlessness, low confidence and confusion. Some therapies may help individuals living with dementia remember past memories through sensory triggers, including sight, smell, touch and sound.
There’s no right or wrong way to use complementary therapies in dementia care. Some may be more effective than others, so many families have to go through a period of trial and error to find which works best for their loved one.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy utilises specific scents to have beneficial effects on the recipient, typically derived from concentrated herbal products and essential oils. Some people with dementia find that certain scents, such as chamomile, lavender and lemongrass, have a calming effect. Studies indicate that lemon balm may improve cognitive function in individuals with mild to moderate dementia.
Smells can be incredibly effective in evoking memories. For example, floral scents may evoke memories of someone’s perfume, wedding flowers or a particular meal. Aromatherapy can be practised at home by using a few drops of essential oils on a tissue or with an oil burner. You can also put oils in the bath for a more immersive experience.
Doll therapy
Dolls are often used in dementia care plans, especially as a person progresses into advanced stages of the condition. Holding and caring for a doll may bring back memories of when their children were young, or even transport them back to when they were children themselves. Sometimes, doll therapy can provide a renewed sense of purpose, with dementia patients becoming more lively and talkative.
Not everyone will be interested in doll therapy, but its benefits are significant enough to consider it an effective complementary therapy. You should supervise your loved one throughout, as some older adults may begin neglecting their own needs in favour of the dolls’. You could suggest babysitting the doll during mealtimes and at night.
Pet therapy
Pet therapy is often used in residential homes where older adults may not have frequent access to animals. This therapy is excellent if your loved one used to have a beloved pet but can no longer care for them. Spending time with animals has been linked to lower blood pressure, improved memory and greater empathy. For people with dementia, this therapy may also provide a source of comfort and evoke past memories.
You may be able to encourage support through pet therapy at home if your loved one already has a cat, dog or rabbit. If not, perhaps a close friend or neighbour has a pet they’d be willing to bring round for an hour, so the person with dementia can experience the joyful companionship a pet provides. Cat cafes and dog walking charities are other excellent ways to practice pet therapy at home.
Massage therapy
Massage is a physical therapy that involves a qualified practitioner manipulating the soft body tissues to improve health and well-being through various techniques. Massage is often beneficial in all stages of dementia, but especially in cases of advanced symptoms, as it engages individuals through their senses rather than requiring them to understand or process information.
Massage therapy can be used in conjunction with aromatherapy to harness the benefits of two complementary therapies simultaneously. Essential oils can be applied to the skin once diluted, although this should be done with caution if your loved one has sensitive skin or a condition such as eczema or psoriasis. Even diluted oils may be irritating on sensitive skin.
Music therapy
Music is a significant part of many people’s lives, and it can be a great way to revisit old memories or bring us together over a shared love of a particular artist, album, or genre. Many people with dementia find music therapy to be an effective way to recall memories or increase engagement with loved ones.
Music for Dementia, a UK campaign group passionate about the rise of music therapy in dementia care, has found that:
- 67% of people with dementia have found music therapy to be an effective tool in reducing agitation
- Music therapy and singing can reduce depression in care settings by up to 40%
- Singing in care homes can reduce anxiety levels by up to 50% in residents
Music can be an effective way for people with dementia to express their feelings, reminisce about the past and encourage physical activity. Dancing with others can be fun and reduce feelings of isolation.
The choice of music is important, as certain genres can evoke different emotions. For example, pop music may bring positive emotions, while jazz or blues music can be calming.
Light therapy
Light therapy hasn’t been extensively researched yet, but preliminary studies suggest that it may be an effective complementary therapy for dementia care plans. Some researchers believe that bright-light therapy may be able to reduce sleep disturbances and adverse night time behaviour. A few small-scale studies have found that sitting in front of a special light box can help ‘reset’ the internal body clock, increase sleep, and reduce symptoms such as sundowning.
While light therapy is still a relatively new concept without as much backing as other complementary therapies, some families experiencing dementia choose to test it out for their loved ones anyway. The benefits often outweigh the drawbacks, making it a viable option if your loved one is experiencing severe overnight symptoms.
Art therapy
Creating art takes many forms, ranging from painting and drawing to sculpting with clay and writing poetry. Many loved ones of people with dementia have found art to be an incredible resource, providing their family members or friends with an outlet to express their emotions without needing to articulate them. Art therapy can also engage their attention and improve confidence through a sense of accomplishment.
Art therapy can be done at home alone or as a social therapy with friends and family members. You may need to initiate the activity to give your loved ones ideas on how to get started, but before long they may be expressing themselves clearly through this new outlet. The great thing about art is that there aren’t any right or wrong ways to do things, so self-esteem should never be negatively impacted by failure.
Reminiscence therapy
Reminiscence therapy focuses on helping people with dementia reconnect with their long-term memories. It can be used in a variety of ways depending on the individual’s preferences and personality. Many of the aforementioned therapies can be utilised as tools for reminiscence, but there are also other methods available.
One of the most effective ways to unlock these memories is through discussing life events and experiences. A dementia memory box is an excellent way to evoke memories and keep the mind active. Some people find it useful to focus on one topic per session. You could consider:
- Childhood memories and family holidays
- Music festivals and live performances
- Favourite foods
- School days
- Pets and animals
Regularly update the dementia memory box to evoke a range of memories and emotions. Encourage your loved one to work on the box with you, helping them to benefit from recalling memories as you note the most effective items.
Finding the right dementia therapy for your loved one
If your loved one is already on a certain treatment plan for their dementia, it’s recommended that you consult their GP before starting any complementary options. This makes sure the therapies you’re considering won’t negatively impact their current treatments for dementia. Their GP may also be able to refer them to a reputable practitioner or relevant charity to help them learn more about each therapy.
While complementary therapies can provide positive outcomes for people living with dementia, everyone will respond differently to each therapy. Some may be more effective than others for your loved one, and they may only begin exhibiting signs of improvement after a consistent period of time utilising such therapy. You should try each therapy for at least two weeks before considering it ineffective.
Many therapies can be performed from the comfort of your own home. At Trinity Homecare, we’re committed to providing bespoke dementia care to those who need us. Alongside our caring duties, we can also support and encourage clients with complementary therapies. Finding the right dementia therapy can involve a lot of trial and error, so we encourage loved ones to participate as well.
Talk to our team today
If your loved one requires home care, chat with one of our friendly care team today. We offer a free, no-obligation enquiry and assessment service and are happy to offer information and advice to help you find the perfect home care solution.
Call us on 020 4572 5583 in confidence for a free, no-obligation quotation. If you are enquiring outside of our opening hours, please complete our online form and we will contact you the next business day.
