Life After a Dementia Diagnosis: It ' s Worth Living

Photo credit Matteo Vistocco ...People living with dementia are anxious to teach the public that while a dementia diagnosis is not what anyone wants to receive, it's not as if they are "healthy" the day before the diagnosis and in late-stage dementia the day after. Many people live for years with manageable dementia, and any number of them would call their lives satisfying. John Zeisel, Ph.D. wrote a book titled "I'm Still Here: A New Philosophy of Alzheimer's Care," that promotes the idea that people can live full lives even while they are managing their dementia. Zeisel writes passionately about the insights that people with dementia can offer. He believes that people with dementia can live satisfying lives and continue to contribute to society long after their diagnosis. Zeisel feels strongly that the arts, whether hands-on art therapy or attending plays and museums, can contribute to their quality of life. Many others agree. Organizations specializing in all types of art for people with dementia are teaching practical ways to increase their quality of life. Creativity Matters, the National Center for Creative Aging, and Arts for the Aging are three such organizations. People with early-stage Alzheimer's are living with Alzheimer's, not dying from it. In the later... Continue reading on HealthCentral for insight into how people live with their Alzheimer's dementia  and still can have fun and accomplish things: Minding Our Elders: Caregivers Share Their ...
Source: Minding Our Elders - Category: Geriatrics Authors: Source Type: blogs