The First Branch of the International Buddha’s Light Association in Frankfurt held an introductory activity on preventing dementia by playing board games at Fo Guang Mountain in Frankfurt on June 16, attracting 40 Fo Guang people.
As the population ages, the number of people suffering from dementia is also increasing. When an elder in the family or someone close to them is diagnosed with dementia, patients and their families often cannot accept it and even panic. Targeting the prevention of dementia and how to deal with a sick loved one. Chen Yingmei, the first branch member of the Frankfurt Buddha’s Light Association, shared her 5-year experience in caring for fellow practitioners with dementia, providing sufficient information and psychological construction for Foguang people.
Chen Yingmei introduced that the number of people diagnosed with dementia in Germany has surged from 440,000 in 2021 to 1.8 million in 2022. This is a phenomenon that cannot be ignored. Dementia is not a single disease, but a combination of symptoms. In addition to memory loss, there will also be other cognitive dysfunctions, and symptoms such as disruptive behavior may occur. Therefore, taking care of family members with dementia is not an easy task. When they seek medical treatment, they should also be given sympathetic and warm companionship.
After the theoretical explanation, Chen Yingmei provided 10 puzzle board games, all of which are used when accompanying fellow practitioners. They not only provide entertainment but also stimulate brain activity. Playing games not only stimulates thinking and problem-solving skills, but also strengthens hand-eye coordination and spatial cognition. The Foguang people present were all very interested and brainstorming together. Each game is designed to be fun and improve cognitive skills, memory and concentration.
Chen Yingmei quoted the founder of Fo Guang Shan, Master Hsing Yun, who said that “old age, sickness, death and life” means that when you get old, you will get sick, when you get sick, you will die, and when you die, you will live; when you are alive, there is hope and a future, and when you are alive, you will be better. Chen Yingmei said that if you learn to change your thoughts and change the order, the meaning of “old age, illness, death, life” will be different. Likewise, don’t wait until you get sick to think about treatment, but live a healthy life and make preventive preparations before you get sick.
