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Retirement Connection Guide • 1-800-462-1316
Six Ways to Connect & Reminisce
Housing We are not born knowing how to sunshine on your skin. Inquire what

communicate with a person with
youth.
dementia - but we can learn. Your their favorite activities were during their
loved one longs for a connection and 4. Connect and Visit with Animals
companionship, although they may be
a different person to you now. You can Ask them questions about animals,
encourage that close connection by maybe about an old pet or what it was
using these activities to cultivate the like growing up on the farm. If you are
connection in both of your lives. looking to help connect a grandchild with
a grandparent with dementia, this is a
1. Play Music or a Musical
great opportunity. Many pet stores have
Studies have shown that using the arts a safe environment in which your loved
can circumnavigate certain effects of one can interact with puppies and other
dementia and enhance an emotional animals. You could even take an outing to
connection. It can even create new a family farm or local petting zoo.
pathways in the brain with which to 5. Glance Through Cookbooks
access memories. Play music or musicals
that will make them happy. Don't hesitate There is a strong possibility your loved
to even sing along even if it feels silly. one spent some time learning to cook. Go
through a family cookbook together and
2. View Photo Albums
discuss the recipes. Go the extra mile and
Photos from their childhood or even cook with the family recipe and share the
their young adult life would be excellent end result with your loved one.
to share together. Remind your loved one 6. Watch TV Shows and Movies
of the time captured in the images. Long-
term memories tend to survive longer Many streaming subscription services
than short ones. Don't be persistent in have a great repertoire of classic movies
having them share details of the pictures, and television shows. Sometimes they
but just enjoy looking through them may not say much while watching these,
together. Looking through magazines but sharing the time together to watch
that date back to their time period is also something they may have enjoyed in the
a good option. past will help them make connections.

3. Get Some Fresh Air Article provided by:
On a day when the weather cooperates, Sarah Smith
go out and get some fresh air and enjoy a AFH Management
walk through nature. Incorporate the five 866-906-9234
senses in your walk in order to stimulate www.MYAFH.com
conversation. Smell the flowers, listen
to the birds sing, feel the wind and
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