Some info from the Alzheimer's Association
When a brain is affected by dementia it has diminished capabilities to process information. A person with dementia is likely to be overwhelmed by everyday activities, things that prior to the onset of dementia may have even been pleasurable. A luncheon with friends and family, replacing the gas tank on the barbeque, baking a German-chocolate cake, packing for a weekend outing, using a list to shop for groceries at the supermarket: all kinds of activities, even ones considered routine before dementia, may be stressful and frustrating now. In addition to the increased sense of frustration generated by daily activities, there is also a decrease in resilience for long hours spent awake. A brain affected by dementia gets tired earlier and processing information becomes even more challenging at the end of the day. Many people show signs of sundowning as a result.
People with dementia cannot control their reactions to feelings of frustration, so they will manifest in some form, most likely through a behavior that they do not have the cognitive skills to choose.
And then, ice cream! Yes, ice cream. It takes all of your worries away. It is soothing and delicious, and personable: everyone has a favorite flavor! Ice cream brings people with dementia to happier, warmer times when the treat was shared with friends and loved ones at special, joyous occasions. Ice cream has the power to immediately elicit soothing feelings at the very first taste of a single spoon-full. It erases all the negative feelings related to the frustration and continues to stimulate pleasure receptors in the brain with every new scoop. And dementia (here is the best part!) allows one to fully enjoy the treat, with no concerns for calories, weight gain or dietary needs, completely guilt free! For people with dementia, ice cream is far more effective and safe than Prozac, or any other “happy” drug on the market! If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, find out what flavor is their absolute favorite and NEVER RUN OUT OF ICE CREAM!
When a brain is affected by dementia it has diminished capabilities to process information. A person with dementia is likely to be overwhelmed by everyday activities, things that prior to the onset of dementia may have even been pleasurable. A luncheon with friends and family, replacing the gas tank on the barbeque, baking a German-chocolate cake, packing for a weekend outing, using a list to shop for groceries at the supermarket: all kinds of activities, even ones considered routine before dementia, may be stressful and frustrating now. In addition to the increased sense of frustration generated by daily activities, there is also a decrease in resilience for long hours spent awake. A brain affected by dementia gets tired earlier and processing information becomes even more challenging at the end of the day. Many people show signs of sundowning as a result.
People with dementia cannot control their reactions to feelings of frustration, so they will manifest in some form, most likely through a behavior that they do not have the cognitive skills to choose.
And then, ice cream! Yes, ice cream. It takes all of your worries away. It is soothing and delicious, and personable: everyone has a favorite flavor! Ice cream brings people with dementia to happier, warmer times when the treat was shared with friends and loved ones at special, joyous occasions. Ice cream has the power to immediately elicit soothing feelings at the very first taste of a single spoon-full. It erases all the negative feelings related to the frustration and continues to stimulate pleasure receptors in the brain with every new scoop. And dementia (here is the best part!) allows one to fully enjoy the treat, with no concerns for calories, weight gain or dietary needs, completely guilt free! For people with dementia, ice cream is far more effective and safe than Prozac, or any other “happy” drug on the market! If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, find out what flavor is their absolute favorite and NEVER RUN OUT OF ICE CREAM!
