reading to adults with dementia
companion program creates engagement
Social engagement is essential.
Dementia specialists agree that social engagement can have a quite positive effect on those living with dementia. After all, when we are with others, communicating and cooperating with them, we are exercising a wide range of cognitive skills. This "exercise" is good for the brain. And, the community provided in social engagement is good for the well-being of the person with dementia.
"One of the most effective treatments is the presence of another human being."
- Jason Karlawish, Co-director of the Penn Memory Center.
Dementia specialists also agree that dementia caregivers are at greater risk for various physical and mental health issues due to the intensity of dementia caregiving. And the intensity of caregiving can be physically and emotionally isolating. So, caregivers need social engagement too. Respite creates space for much needed time with others.
Implementation
The following roles are necessary to a successful program implementation. All roles may be performed by one person, however we recommend that two staff members share these responsibilities.
- Program Coordinator
- Volunteer Coordinator
- Assisted Living Facility/Memory Care Liaison
Over the course of the next generation, the number of dementia diagnoses will double. So will the number of dementia caregivers.
A preparedness gap exists.
The urgent and growing need for dementia knowledge and resources will go unmet unless we do more to advocate for people living with dementia, educate those who care for them, and support both through dementia's progression.
Beyond Dementia Coalition is working to help communities in north Georgia prepare for the social, business, and spiritual impacts dementia threatens in our region. The Reading to Adults with Dementia (RAD) program is a great example of work we can do to improve the lives of those living with Alzheimer's or other dementia AND their caregivers.
What
Volunteers visit one-on-one with a person with dementia to read to them from requested or curated written material or engage in some other mutually enjoyable activity. At its core, this program is a companionship program.
Reading is an easy starting point because the rhythmic and sonic qualities of the human voice reading prose, poetry, or prayer provide sensory stimuli that a person with dementia can appreciate and respond to well into late stage dementia.
Why
Social enageement is an essential part of quality dementia care, to slow dementia's progression and maximize overall physical and mental health.
Who
Volunteer Readers such as students, Wisdom Keepers, neighborhood theater groups, retirees, stay-at-home moms, faith outreach groups, and others are carefully vetted and individually paired with a resident of assisted living or memory care who has dementia. All volunteers must complete Volunteer Training , follow defined protocols, and complete a brief visit report form after each visit. The volunteer time commitment is estimated to be approximately 1 - 1.5 hours per week (but volunteers may give more time if they desire).
How
Wisdom Project 2030 and Beyond Dementia Coalition team partnered with an assisted living community with a memory care unit to implement a pilot program that can now be replicated and scaled to other communities in other regions.
Results
We monitored program results with two key metrics in mind: To what extent did we eliminate social isolation (QUANTITY: time spent with companion) and did the social engagement have a positive impact (QUALITY: well-being during the visit. Our early results were very encouraging.
average visit length
50 Minutes
Well-being scores were based on observations of the volunteers during each visit, based on demeanor, awareness, and engagement during the visit. Scores extrapolate to the 79th-80th percentile meaning that the quality of the visits was good.
What's Next
Program launch and implementation is now supported by Beyond Dementia Coalition. Our pilot test site was The Phoenix at Braselton in Braselton GA in the spring of 2024. Having (over) achieved the desired outcomes, Beyond Dementia Coalition will bring RAD to additional assisted living communities and provide ongoing program support beginning pre-launch.
We are currently recruiting organizations to join our Spring 2025 RAD Program Launch.
Get Involved
If you are interested in launching RAD at your organization, please complete the Reading to Adults with Dementia Inquiry Form (below). If you are interested in volunteering as a RAD Reader, please complete the RAD Volunteer Form (below below :)).
Reading to Adults with Dementia (RAD) Inquiry Form (for Organizations)
RAD Volunteer Form