Joy and happiness are similar and valuable, but there are some important distinctions. Happiness tends to be momentary when something happens TO us. Perhaps we attend a concert, or someone brings us flowers. These are events that happen around us that bring us a temporary feeling we define as happiness. These moments are wonderful but different to joy.
Joy is a deeper feeling of purpose and connection. Joy is a sustained state that can carry on even through sorrow or difficult times.
In our Creative Engagement practice, we look for ways to bring joy to our clients so that they feel purpose and connection. And naturally this is very individual. People living with dementia, in the past, may have found joy in dancing, painting or nature. But as they have gotten older they may struggle with cognitive or mobility issues and these foundational parts of their identity have slid away. The things in life that truly brought them joy and carried them through life are gone. So, how can we return that sense of purpose and connection for elders that are missing that joyful meaning in their lives?
For a client who used to be the “best boogie-woogie dancer” in her scene, she now uses a mobility aid and has stability issues. I would play a playlist of old boogie-woogie music for her in the car and she would sometimes tap her foot. But it wasn’t until I brought her a puppet called Cutie with orange bouffant hair and tasseled dress to dance with, that she really engaged with the music. I operated the head of the puppet, but I needed my client to move Cutie’s arms. The two of them danced together and were a boogie-woogie match made in heaven.
Another client who has mobility and dexterity issues due to a brain injury was once an avid painter. He loved his art studio but now doesn’t have the space at his adult family home to accommodate a permanent studio set-up. I visit him weekly and set up a tabletop easel on an overbed table with wheels that can fit very close to him to accommodate his reach. I set up a color palette for him to paint from, he chooses a jazz soundtrack for his painting session to listen to, and then the magic begins. He loves feeling the paintbrush in his hand and watching the different strokes of colors appear on the paper. If something doesn’t quite work as he intended, he embraces the “happy accidents” (the wonderful phrase of Bob Ross.)
A client that had previously enjoyed growing an amazing garden at his home, no longer had outside space and wanted to have more plants inside his assisted living apartment. His space did not get much natural light, so we purchased grow lights to install along his wall. Then began several fun trips to his favorite nursery to find a selection of plants that would thrive. The staff at the nursery would answer questions about the plants for us as we explained our setup. My client loved looking at his plants and tending them. We tweaked the arrangements of the plant stands so that he could reach the plants to water them easily. He reported to me often with a big smile that visitors to his apartment complimented him on his beautiful plants.
By bringing joy to someone living with dementia, that joy can carry them through their whole week. A dancer is reminded of how the music feels in her body. A painter looks at his creations and thinks about what he will paint next week. A gardener experiences seeing new leaves sprouting from plants he is caring for.
Experiencing joy is felt when you are able to express what matters to you and what makes you who you are.
Interested in learning how a Creative Engagement Specialist can enrich the day of someone in your care? Click here to schedule a free, get-acquainted call today to explore how we can bring joy.
