Their disease can cause people with dementia tofeel socially isolated.This can have a negative impact on social relationships with family and friends. There are effective interventions that focus on restoring social contacts and maintaining interaction and communication with others.

Behavioural therapy

Behavioural therapy aims to decrease the behavioural and mood symptoms that can be associated with dementia, such as depression, agitation or aggression. After identifying the reasons for the behaviour, the therapy uses a problem solving approach where different strategies are adopted to try to change a specific behaviour.

Individualized intervention

Interventions tailored to the needs of a person with dementia.

Music therapy

Music therapy uses music and other sounds to restore or improve the sense of wellbeing in people with dementia. In music therapy sessions, music can be played individually for a person with dementia, or in group settings. In groups people are often encouraged to actively participate.

Psychomotor therapy

By means of physical activity (sporting activities, games, or body experiences) psychomotor therapy aims to help people with dementia cope with the practical, emotional and social consequences of the disease.

Reminiscence

In reminiscence activities, events and experiences from the past are discussed in one-on-one or group conversations. Aids are often used, such as videos, photographs, newspaper clipping books, scrapbooks and life story books. The objective of reminiscence is to offer a pleasant activity and a tool to maintain communication with others. In addition, reminiscing together can also provide recognition and emotional support (also for the informal carer) in coping with the changes or losses that individuals go through as a result of the dementia.

Sensory stimulation

This therapy provides stimulation via the senses of touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste and is usually carried out in a dedicated room. The aim of sensory stimulation is to create a feeling of safety and stimulation, where the person with dementia is in control. 'Snoezelen' is a well-known type of sensory stimulation.