Keeping Your Loved One with Dementia Active and Engaged
When your loved one has dementia, the basic activities of daily living can become a struggle. It’s hard enough for most seniors to remember to take their medication or eat right, but with dementia, it makes every little task that much harder.
Since one of the main symptoms of dementia is memory loss, it can be confusing for your loved one if there isn’t a familiar face around to provide support. At Camella Living, our memory care support in Copley, OH can help family members feel confident that their loved one is in the right hands.
Camella Living provides assisted living and memory care supportive services in a community that feels like home, rather than a nursing facility. We believe giving the best quality of life for seniors with dementia matters and we focus on maximizing autonomy and dignity for each of our residents. Additionally, our caregivers are trained to help seniors with dementia.
Family caregivers who are caring for their aging loved one at home or who are considering dementia care facilities in Copley, can organize activities for their loved one that is fun for the whole family. Here are six suggestions to help keep your loved one with dementia active and engaged.
Small Groups Only
Dementia often leads people to develop anxiety or become scared of large gatherings, so try and limit the number of people involved. This might mean only inviting your immediate family when you spend time together or working out a schedule of when people will visit. It’s important to spend as much time as you can with your loved ones, so they know they are safe and secure, but you don’t want to overwhelm them.
Puzzles Galore
Puzzles are a fantastic way to keep the mind focused on the task and to improve cognition. Plus, puzzles are a cooperative effort with no time limit, so no one will feel left out. Together, you can build cool pictures of places you’ve visited, favorite characters, cute animals, or anything your loved one really enjoys. Puzzles can also spur healthy conversations which also keep the mind active.
Tai Chi
Unlike other, more strenuous physical activities, Tai Chi is a relaxing practice that can be adapted for people of all ages and physical abilities. The forms are soothing and work well to improve flexibility, balance, and memory. Everyone can do them together either in a formal class or by watching online tutorials. Either way, maintaining a healthy body is important to maintaining a healthy mind, and Tai Chi is a fun way to go.
Drawing
One of the best ways to keep the brain active is to be creative. No matter what their art skills might look like when you can express your feelings on paper, it brings a sense of relief and happiness. The act of drawing is also very relaxing and is perfect for a stressful time or even just a rainy day. Simply sitting and drawing with your loved one can be just the low-key, relaxing, social time they need.
Going for A Walk
The simple act of getting back to nature is a powerful one. Look around for nearby gardens or parks where you and your loved one can take a little walk, or you can push them if they require a wheelchair. Feeling the sun warm your face and relaxing on a leisurely stroll to enjoy the scenery is one way that engages both the mind and body.
Old Photographs
One of the hardest things for people living with dementia is losing long-term memories. If you stop by with old photographs or other special items, you might be able to help them remember fun times or exciting trips from when they were younger. Having these mementos around can also be comforting for your loved ones since it shows how much you valued those times spent together. Even if they don’t remember all the details, old photographs are a great conversational piece.
If you notice that your loved one isn’t interested in one specific activity, try changing things up or offering an array of options for them to choose from like coloring, gardening, painting or listening to music. We never grow out of wanting a little spice in our routine. After all, variety is the spice of life! At Camella Living, we strive to give your loved one a fun assortment of activities to keep them active, engaged, and loving life each day.
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