Staying mentally and physically active is vital for all seniors, especially those who have developed Alzheimer’s. Remaining busy can provide the mental stimulation your elderly parent needs and slow the progression of the disease. Find out how you can keep an aging loved one with Alzheimer’s disease busy.
Play Games
Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease can lose focus and daydream a lot, but playing board games with family caregivers or participating in online brain games can increase their attention and sharpen their minds. As a result, they may have an easier time handling the effects of the disease, finding ways to address the problems Alzheimer’s is causing and handling daily tasks more efficiently. Participating in brain games can strengthen the mind and allow your loved one to function independently for longer.
Aging adults with Alzheimer’s disease can benefit from receiving professional Alzheimer’s care. Richmond seniors need regular mental stimulation when managing memory-related conditions, and a reliable in-home caregiver who has extensive training in Alzheimer’s care can be a great asset.
Go through Family Photos
Generating a stronger sense of inclusion is essential for older adults with Alzheimer’s, which makes looking at old family photos a great activity. While looking at photos of past events in their lives, including childhood images, seniors can establish a sense of belonging and decrease the risk of boredom and isolation. Going through family photos gives your parent the opportunity to bond with you, the grandchildren, other family members, and friends, keeping him or her active and reducing the amount of anxiety he or she may be feeling due to the impact of the disease.
Attend Community Events
Although seniors with Alzheimer’s may get anxious at larger events, you can still take your parent to a small function in the community, such as a bingo game, a church concert, or an arts and crafts class at the local senior center. Attending these types of community functions could boost your loved one’s mental and physical health and alleviate many of the symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s. Socialization is important because it supports brain health. By interacting with others in the community, your loved one can remain engaged and slow the progress of cognitive impairment.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care service families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Watch Movies
Behavioral problems are common in older adults with Alzheimer’s disease, but one way to combat these issues is to distract them with fun activities, such as going to the movie theater or watching popular shows on television. This kind of entertainment can keep your loved one busy and restore some of his or her memories. The films may provide a look into things from the past and promote positive thinking, especially if the films have self-help themes. Keep in mind Alzheimer’s can cause people to feel adrift in time, but watching movies can help them bounce back to the present. Alleviating this kind of confusion can increase their ability to recognize their loved ones and understand the things taking place around them.
If your loved one is living with Alzheimer’s, having a trained professional caregiver close by can provide you and your family with much-needed peace of mind. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of in-home care. Richmond families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. Call us at (804) 600-0002 to learn about ways our experienced caregivers can help your loved one.
