Almost any activity or interaction can be beneficial for older adults with dementia, but seniors are more likely to participate in projects, games, and tasks that align with their interests. Therefore, family caregivers should find purposeful things their senior loved ones enjoyed before developing dementia. Below are meaningful activities your loved one with dementia should try.
Doing Crossword Puzzles
Solving crossword puzzles is fun and a great way to exercise the mind. Brain stimulation is necessary because it encourages seniors to use their cognitive abilities and slows the progression of dementia.
Don’t choose crossword puzzles that are too difficult for your parent to complete. Instead, start with more straightforward games and increase the level of difficulty based on your loved one’s abilities. If you notice your loved one becoming frustrated, stop the activity and distract him or her with another purposeful task. Even with impaired memory, your loved one might still be capable of working on crossword puzzles and word searches.
Caring for seniors with dementia can be challenging for family caregivers. Luckily, there is dementia care Richmond families can rely on. Professional dementia caregivers help seniors with dementia stay safe and comfortable at home by preventing wandering, providing cognitive stimulation, and assisting with household chores.
Cooking
Meaningful activities provide many benefits, including sensory stimulation. Cooking allows your loved one to explore his or her senses, and it also provides a creative outlet. While you and your parent are cooking old family recipes, the smells could trigger fond memories.
As dementia progresses and your loved one begins to lose many of his or her cognitive functions, you can find simpler tasks associated with cooking that he or she will enjoy, such as setting the dinner table, helping with decorations, wiping off countertops and tables, or tasting the dishes as you prepare them. These are tasks that enhance hand-eye coordination and the senses of touch, sight, taste, and sound.
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be challenging, but compassionate help is available. 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 Richmond, a leading provider of elderly home care families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Caring for Grandchildren
Some seniors with dementia can provide help caring for younger children during the early stages of the condition. Allow your loved one to assist when you’re babysitting for family and friends. Seniors can connect with babies and enjoy a sense of familiarity from the interactions.
Don’t give your parent any difficult tasks, but encouraging him or her to interact with the grandchildren and play games with them can be stimulating and boost his or her quality of life. Maintaining intergenerational relationships can boost mood and memory and slow the progression of dementia.
Playing Sports
Inactivity can cause many of the symptoms associated with dementia, such as reduced concentration, increased confusion, behavioral challenges, and memory problems, to worsen. However, staying physically active can help seniors maintain adequate blood flow to the brain, which leads to brain cell growth and survival.
Find fun, safe, and stimulating sports activities for your loved one to do, such as bowling, beanbag tossing, mini-golf, or video games that promote physical movements. There may be senior-friendly sports teams within the community that your loved one can join. The objective of meaningful activities such as sports is to keep seniors busy with fun hobbies they enjoyed before developing dementia.
A highly trained caregiver with experience in caring for seniors with dementia can be a fantastic resource for family members. Families looking for top-rated Henrico at-home care providers can reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your loved one, call us at (804) 600-0002 today.