Creative Spaces: Down the pub

dementia, communities & environments

Our Creative Spaces in the Community project is using the outdoors and nature-focused activities to build social networks, foster independence and enhance the physical and mental health of older people living with dementia in rural communities in Cornwall.

We'll be using this section as a place to generally share our thoughts on dementia and those it affects, including relevant projects, events, activities etc. If we've read it, written it, seen it or heard it and we think it should be 'out there' then here's where we'll share it.

We've just had a great afternoon running a workshop on using outdoor activities in dementia care - despite the rain that joined us for much of the time. Held at a nearby pub (tea and coffee only for everyone I hasten to add!), we were joined by 25 care workers, mainly Activity Coordinators, who were there to discover new activities to do with their residents and how to make more use of their garden areas.

I think many people struggle to find new ways of engaging residents, particularly those with dementia and many more aren't making enough use of their garden areas. Taking people outside, doing outdoor-related, or in fact any activities are seen as 'add ons' to dementia care, whereas they ought to be part and parcel of everyday living for them. As Frank A. Clark (American minister and writer) said

"We've put more effort into helping folks reach old age than into helping them enjoy it"

.......how true.

We'll be preparing a report on the workshop for our Sensory Trust website in the next couple of weeks so keep a look out for a link to it, from here.

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dementia, communities & environments

Down the pub