• Just What’s Needed?

There was a really interesting coping exercise that was implemented in Germany, to help stop dementia patients from wandering away from their nursing homes. The practice was to install a bus stop outside the door, although no bus actually stopped there. Resident were accustomed to taking busses to get where they wanted, and so in their confused state and when ready to leave the nursing home and head back to their own homes (which may or may not have family waiting for them), when they saw the bus stop, they would take a seat on the bench, relax, and wait for the bus. Not long afterward, a member of the staff would come out of the building and tell them that the bus was delayed and invite them back inside for coffee. The expectations was that at some point in the process, the patient would forget they were planning to escape the nursing home, and would carry on with their day as usual.

The jury is still out on whether the fake bus stop practice is ethical or not, and I couldn’t find reports on how it worked with other residents but I am wondering if residents with other conditions might just be perturbed by the idea. However, what the practice does highlight is how essential it is to offer programs and activities that engage the residents, that keep them interested in life and being a part of their community, and at times, distracted.

Any thoughts on the issue?