From March 15, when the coronavirus crisis canceled our regular “Ask Irma” monthly interview, the Spy hadn’t actually heard from Irma herself. Given that her day job is being the C.E.O. of Londonderry on the Tred Avon, we realized she had many things on her mind, but that didn’t stop a certain worry for her and her community of close to 200 hundred residents that call Londonderry home during a major pandemic.

So it was with great relief that the Spy and Irma finally sat down last week to continue our conversations on aging that we heard everything was ‘a-ok’ on Port Street in Easton. In fact, since COVID-19 hit the United States, Londonderry (knock on wood ) has not had one single case of the virus.

But that didn’t end Irma’s challenges as she and her team found ways to maintain a sense of a community for residents that would not be able to leave the houses for many months to come.

In our latest installment of Ask Irma, we talk about Londonderry’s response to COVID and the importance of staying in touch throughout the day with those in the hood.

This video is approximately three minutes in length. For more information about Londonderry on the Tred Avon please go here.

Based on my experiences with my husband, Floyd, who had Alzheimer’s Disease for twelve years and my recent research I have come to realize how much can be done by care partners to help their loved ones who have dementia. With the additional issues raised by the coronavirus, let me offer suggestions for activities that can be done in or near your home which may help to fill time productively and happily. These activities are based on the Montessori method.

Montessori for Aging and Dementia is a person-centered approach to memory care. In the Montessori classroom, teachers “follow the child.” With older adults with dementia the mantra is “see the person, not the disease.” The focus is on the individual’s perceived abilities and strengths, their interests and roles – past and present, Thus “care partnering” is at the heart of the Montessori approach. 

Jennifer Brush is an international speaker, consultant, researcher and author in the area of dementia care. Ms. Brush works with dementia communities to create environments, based on the Montessori method, that enable those with dementia to flourish.  For more information on this approach, view her video, “Living an Abundant Life: Montessori for Aging” on her website. and/or read her book, “I Care” that fully explains this method. 

Studies have shown that art and music reduce agitation and aggression, stimulate conversations, provide a means of self-expression, facilitate cognitive functions, help with coordination of motor movements. They even help with connection to memories. 

Coloring is beneficial. Anyone can do it. It can be engrossing to the point of meditation. For Floyd I chose oil pastels that are like crayons but are easier to use and have so many vibrant colors. Later we translated his paintings into needlework. However, any medium will work. For example, create a collage with pre-cut magazine pictures chosen based on areas of interest and related words to get the conversation started. Perhaps working with clay will promote movement and the joy of tactile experiences.

Research has shown listening to or singing songs can provide emotional and behavioral benefits for people with Dementia.  Musical memories are often preserved because key brain areas linked to musical memory remain relatively undamaged by Dementia. 

The noted neurologist, Oliver Sacks, wrote that “music brings back the feeling of life when nothing else can.”  Studies have shown that memories and emotions can be recalled and mental performance can be enhanced after singing classic hits and show tunes from movies and musicals. Most enjoyed are “Sound of Music”, “When You Wish Upon a Star”, and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” In addition, lullabies at bedtime are soothing.

Research has also shown that scores on memory tests actually improve when listening to classical music. 

Reading together is something that may seem unlikely at various stages of dementia, but, in fact, is quite doable and rewarding. Working in collaboration with Jennifer Brush are local author and illustrator, Rita and Ronn Akins, who are writing short stories that enable people with dementia to participate in shared reading with a care partner. Two stories have been completed in a planned series. Each story features “large print text with full page color illustrations.” Visit their website, and click on “Stories for Older Adults” for more information.

Gardening is yet another activity to pursue. Oliver Sacks, wrote, “I cannot say exactly how nature exerts its calming and organizing effects on our brains…I have seen several people with advanced Alzheimer’s Disease, who can’t recall how to perform basic operations … like tying their shoes, suddenly know exactly what to do when handed seedlings and placed before a flower bed.” Research studies have shown that outdoor time can help with sleep by maintaining or resetting circadian rhythms, It makes one feel more creative, reduces pain, helps with relaxation, provides a dose of vitamin D, and makes it easier to concentrate.

The therapeutic benefits of gardening, visiting garden centers and being outdoors are unrivaled. Visiting wildlife refuges, arboretums, and botanical gardens can be a wonderful day out and about. While the outdoor areas are still open, bare in mind that the buildings are not, including needed facilities. 

There is a wealth of materials that are available for people with dementia. Go here. You will find books, puzzles, games, and art activities that can be shared.

There are many resources available to help you as a care partner plan your day with your loved one. With just a general understanding of some options and searching helpful websites, you can better develop a personalized plan for activities and roles that work in your home environment. A whole world will open up to each of you making each day more productive, healthier, and happier thus creating some very good memories.

Barbara Vann was an internal consultant for Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital where she worked with a broad range of non-medical staff and management to create systems, policies, and training to support high quality patient care. When she moved to Chestertown she focused on creating artwork in a range of media and became active in Chestertown’s arts community.

In these trying times, we hope to give you a glimpse of some ordinary people doing extraordinary things. There are many. Here is just one story.

As with most of our ‘Kindness’ stories, this one started with a Facebook post:

“I just heard a fantastic idea! For those home with children when schools are closed…how about having your kids write notes, color pictures, and mail them to local nursing homes? The elderly in these homes aren’t allowed visitors right now.”

But this post struck a chord with Donna Allen Albright, who is the Wellness Office Coordinator at Bayleigh Chase with an office in the assisted living section. For the past few weeks, she’s watched the 60 residents in her building, along with the nurses, physical therapists, and staff learn how to deal with the new realities of masks, disinfectants, and temperature checks “We’re doing our best,” she said repeatedly.

With residents forced to stay in their rooms, employees have had to come up with creative ways to keep them occupied. “Every staff member is stepping up and doing things which may not be in their job description, but we do what needs to be done,” says Albright. There’s bingo and a planned 1950s night, anything to add a little fun to a rapidly changing world. “Some of the residents don’t understand what’s happening on the outside. They just know that their kids can’t come to visit. These are the folks who don’t have cell phones to FaceTime with their family.”

When the directive was issued to bar guests from senior home facilities, Albright had to get in touch to let families know. “The first family I called was my brother and sister to tell them they can’t come and visit. My dad lives here.” She spoke about last week’s visit from a man. It was his mom’s birthday, and he sang to her through the window.

So, when Albright saw the post about sending cards, she knew it was something that would make a difference in the lives of the elderly. She shared the post with her friends on Facebook, and her friends shared it with their friends, and so on. “Then I started calling people who were at home with children. I said, ‘have them draw some pictures and write some letters.’ What a great project for the kids stuck at home.”

They got their first card yesterday. It was addressed to ‘Any Resident at Bayleigh Chase.’ “We’re starting to see them come in,” says Albright. “We’ll distribute them as we get them; first to those who aren’t getting any mail from the outside. We’ll start hanging some of the pictures on the walls. Again, just a generic card, letter, or drawing will do. Send it to ‘Any Resident,’ or address it to me, and we’ll make sure they get them.”

Bayleigh Chase is a retirement community in Easton, located at 545 Cynwood Dr. Easton, MD 21601. If you know someone who is making a difference, let us know.

Val Cavalheri is a recent transplant to the Eastern Shore, having lived in Northern Virginia for the past 20 years. She’s been a writer, editor and professional photographer for various publications, including the Washington Post.

Senior Nation is committed to offering resources to help us deal with the challenges and opportunities of aging. To that end, we are launching a new monthly video blog called “Ask Irma” hosted by Irma Toce, C.E.O. of the Londonderry on the Tred Avon in Easton, where we will be exploring on all topics related to aging.

After a professional career working with adult children and the care and of their aging parents, as well as going through that experience herself with her own in the Netherlands, Irma Toce seems particularly well qualified to talk about this unique change of roles and responsibilities for the “kids” in the family.

With many parents living well into their 90s, their adult children increasingly play a critical part in caregiving or providing much-needed relief to aging couples from the sometimes overwhelming challenges facing those in their later years.

This video is approximately two minutes in length. For information about Londonderry on the Tred Avon please go here.