- The Dementia Newsletter, by elumenEd
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- I Love My Readers, So Can We Get Engaged?
I Love My Readers, So Can We Get Engaged?
Inside you'll get my top picks for books about engaging loved ones with dementia along with other ideas for creating a life of thriving!
Ben Couch
July 01, 2025
Sponsored by
In this edition: |
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• 🎥 Video: Does Your Loved One with Dementia Want to Get Engaged? 🎞️ |
Video: Getting Engaged When Someone Has Dementia
Engagement Poll
Which everyday activity do you find most helpful for engaging your loved one with dementia?Click your answer below. |
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Caregiver’s Corner: A Dementia Diagnosis is NOT the End of Engaging with Life
As dementia caregivers, we can become so worried about the physical needs of our loved ones that we forget that their need to engage with the world around them is just as important as getting through the physical tasks of care.
However, there are opportunities to create engagement at every turn.
Your loved one may not be able to create the circumstances that allow for engagement on their own -- for example, they might not be able to plan a family dinner. However, they can help set the table or do some safe parts of meal preparation.
Caregivers can take charge of the planning so that our loved ones can still engage in those meaningful moments, stay connected to life and activity, and continue to thrive as far as possible into the dementia process.
Engagement doesn’t require a party or a big event. We engage in life by doing the simple things every day. We talk to each other, cook meals, do chores, take a walk, or make some music.
These small moments are really the “stuff” of life, and we can usually find creative ways to include our loved ones if we are alert to the opportunities.
If you want to get a bunch of simple ideas for creating engagement through daily activity, take a look at my book about engagement on Amazon at this link: https://elumened.info/book
Creating Purposeful Engagement Caring for a loved one with dementia can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to keeping them engaged in daily life. In this book, Creating Purposeful Engagement, my colleague Kelly Ording and I will guide you through practical, reliable strategies to spark meaningful moments of connection—whether through conversation, activities, or shared experiences. Available now on Amazon—click to get your copy today! |
📚️ The 2 Best Books about Engagement (After Mine^ Of Course!) 🤩
Creative Engagement: A Handbook of Activities for People with Dementia, by Rachael Wonderlin and Geri M. Lotzi: “In Creative Engagement, dementia activity expert Rachael Wonderlin and developmental psychology professor Geri M. Lotze provide dozens of creative, hands-on ways to engage with people living with cognitive loss.”
100 Activities for Seniors with Dementia, by Lillian Heartwood: “This guide offers 100 adaptable activity ideas to spark joy, stimulate the mind, and strengthen bonds. Whether you’re a family caregiver, professional, or volunteer, you’ll find inspiration to enrich daily life with purpose and connection.”
Putting out this newsletter a few times a week is an awesome feeling! It’s a joy every time I get to put it together.
That said, keeping this going comes with its own challenges — including financial ones. Your support is critical to keeping this resource going strong.
If this newsletter has helped you breathe a little easier, feel a little stronger, or simply reminded you that you're not alone in this journey — and you're in a position to do so — I’d be deeply grateful for a tip to help keep it going.
Hi! I’m Ben, and I’m the author of this newsletter as well as a new book on Amazon: Creating Purposeful Engagement.
Caring for a loved one with dementia can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to keeping them engaged in daily life. In my new book, Creating Purposeful Engagement, I’ll guide you through practical, reliable strategies to spark meaningful moments of connection—whether through conversation, activities, or shared experiences.
Available now on Amazon—click to get your copy today!
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I’ve been a dementia professional for over 20 years, but the fight against this disease has become much more personal for me as I am engaged in my mother’s journey with Alzheimer’s disease. I started The Dementia Newsletter as well as it’s parent company, elumenEd, to help caregivers — specifically home and family caregivers — gain access to the very best training and information available at an affordable price.
SOME OF THE LINKS IN THIS NEWSLETTER ARE AFFILIATE LINKS, WHICH MEANS WE MAY EARN A COMMISSION IF YOU CLICK AND MAKE A PURCHASE, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU. WE ONLY RECOMMEND PRODUCTS AND SERVICES WE TRUST.
At The Dementia Newsletter, we’re dementia professionals but we’re not medical doctors or lawyers. The information provided is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for medical diagnosis, treatment, or any health-related concerns and consult with a lawyer regarding any legal matters.
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