Hello .........
In my opinion, YOU BET IT IS!!!
The question or statement of need of a purpose in life - just came from reading a thread by MT Lady with a reply by Bella33. Rather than continuing that thread (which was going in a slightly different direction at that point), I decided to start a new thread!
All I can do is imagine that the need for someone like my Mother, a severe dimentia patient, still needs a purpose in life ... but either may not realize it, or more than likely cannot communicate that need.
On Saturday, I was over to see her. We talked for a little while - she asked me how I was doing - if my youngest daughter was married yet - and when will she be able to go home. I checked their weekly schedule on the display board, and told her in a half hour, it's time for Bingo! That brought a little glimmer in her eyes!
Once the Bingo game started, I sat in at the table she was at - just to look and listen. Very interesting - the facility had a different type of bingo card. Instead of numbers on the card, there were drawings of articles of clothing. So ... the point was for the patient to recognize the article of clothing, then put the marker on that square (in typical bingo fashion).
I watched and noticed that my Mother missed 4 different articles of clothing in just one game. All of the patients seemed to be having difficulties - so the observent facilitator changed back to original type of bingo cards for the next game. In that game, Mom got every one - and got them quickly! It was a wise choice by this young facilitator (about 30-years old).
I think the point was - the more difficult or challenging game was started - a game that makes you think a bit - and either because of the time of day (mid-afternoon), the temperature of the room (many complaints about it being too cold) or ???? ..... the game was changed to a more recognizable form. Holding everyones interest was most important and was done with the simpler game.
In a very small way, maintaining interests within a dimentia patient is helping to maintain a purpose in life ... for someone who has lost almost everything ... even if it's only a Bingo game.
I look back now, in my own personal life, and find that a "sense of purpose" is incredibly important ... maybe the most important thing left for me to save - as I am battling cancer myself. When I had to stop working two years ago, it is when I began to realize just how important a sense of purpose was. For those that we love, who cannot use their mind in any logical manner, I have to believe that a "sense of purpose" is one of their strongest needs!
How do you feel?