We all liked to feel valued - important - knowledgeable - a part of something - a voice with family and friends. This value carries over to those with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. I know it is easy to chat over and around someone who does not appear to understand or to be actively involved in the conversation, but I also recognize that this is absolutely wrong. Inclusion is vital to good physical and mental health.
A recommendation from the Bravo Zulu presentation I attended is treating others like VIPs:
V - valuing their personhood, our relationship and their extended relationships, and their cultural identity;
I - treating people as unique individuals;
P - looking at the world from the perspective of that person;
S - providing a positive and supportive social environment. (Brooker, 2007)
In reality, shouldn't these simple steps be the way that we interact with everyone. From infancy through adulthood, it is nice to have a sense of belonging.
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