WHAT makes dementia one of nature’s cruellest diseases is that those afflicted often fade out of the world long before they die.
Mounting feelings of confusion and embarrassment lead to withdrawal, those living with dementia retreating into a quiet but devastatingly lonely shell.
Michael Verde, founder of the global Memory Bridge program, is dedicated to putting an end to that emotional isolation.
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READ NOWA renowned speaker and dementia educator based in Texas, Mr Verde is returning to Perth for three free sessions on dementia hosted by the City of Melville in partnership with Alzheimer’s WA and Attitudinal Healing.
“Memory Bridge’s sole concern is to bridge love into the lives of people with dementia, so that they do not experience a social death before their biological one,” he said.
“Recent research concludes that being emotionally isolated affects one’s health more negatively than does smoking and its impact is equivalent to the impact of one’s diet.
“If companionship improves the biological health (of someone living with dementia) all the better.
“But if being loved does not extend the life of a person with dementia, or enhance her memory, or improve her scores on the mini-mental exam – it wouldn’t matter in the least bit to Memory Bridge’s mission.
“We are into creating the kinds of joy and even, if need be, moments of shared sadness; that give our biological life meaning.”
Mr Verde believes that outside of a cure, the most vital need for people living with dementia and their loved ones is real emotional connection.
However, he said family and friends unaccustomed to interacting with those living with dementia often failed to create meaningful interactions.
“We can think that we are being person-centred and we are sort of but the person we are really centred on is ourselves,” he said.
“I’ve learned that the decisive factor in connecting with people with dementia is the quality of our attention.
“If our caring is only about ‘doing to’ and ‘doing for’ a person with dementia, and does not also include ‘being with’ them, our care is not caring enough.”
WHAT: Living Life Fully (two dates) WHEN: 10am to 12pm July 31 and 6.30pm to 8.30pm August 2 WHERE: City of Melville Civic Centre, Booragoon Michael shares how to overcome feelings of self-consciousness, discomfort and fear to be fully present and connected to someone living with dementia.
WHAT: Insights into ‘A Man Called Ove’ WHEN: 6.30pm to 8.30pm August 15 WHERE: Civic Square Library, Booragoon Michael explores the story of Ove, an isolated retiree whose life changes when an unlikely friendship forms.
Registrations essential via melvillecity.com.au/michaelverde or or 9364 0666.
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